This type of encouragement results in bright kids becoming good at doing things because they please parents / teachers / professors / bosses. Whereas our best

This type of encouragement results in bright kids becoming good at doing things because they please parents / teachers / professors / bosses. Whereas our best and brightest should be encouraged to work out things for themselves, push boundaries, and in general, innovate. Kudos for finding someone that could understand and appreciate what you were capable of, though. Not all kids have that; as a kid it can be very discouraging when you don't have anyone who understands your work to talk to.