You need a teacher

I recently had an interview where I was asked about my thoughts on the hierarchical nature of the medical profession. I said I thought it was good.

I’m sure many people reading this disagree, but let me explain.

You need a teacher.

You = Everybody.

Everybody needs a teacher.

Everybody needs someone to guide them, show them what to do, and help them, especially when starting out on a new path. And especially when that path is a difficult one.

A lot of us love to say we’re self-learners, that we “read around cases” or that we “look things up.” That may be partially true, but I’ve learned there is a kind of growth that only happens when someone more experienced decides to teach you. Really teach you.

A teacher doesn’t just tell you what to do; they tell you why. They expose you to nuance. They give you feedback. They help you build instincts you didn’t even know you were missing.

A good teacher does more than pass on information. They pass on thinking habits. They train your eyes to see what they see. They give you their frameworks, their shortcuts, their sense of danger and safety.

You need a teacher in all aspects of your life. In relationships, you need people who model healthy communication, who show you how to listen, and how to apologize.

At work, you need mentors who teach you not just how to do the job, but how to navigate pressure, make decisions, and lead with integrity.

Even in personal growth, you need guides who help you see yourself clearly and push you to grow.

Whether it’s learning how to manage money, raise children, set boundaries, or build a meaningful life, someone has walked the path before you. You don’t have to figure everything out alone. There’s no shame in being taught.

Hierarchy, when done right, isn’t about power. It’s about apprenticeship.

It’s about someone ahead of you reaching back to help you climb, showing you not just how to survive, but how to excel.

So yes, I think hierarchy is good. Because built into that structure is the possibility of growth through guidance.

You need a teacher.

And someday, someone will need you to be theirs.