GMAT Essays (AWA)

Okay, disclaimer. I just started focusing on the essay sections. This essay is incomplete, mainly the conclusion but I wanted to get a feel for what you guys thought about my progress. Please provide critique and feedback as its very welcome. THANKS!


“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.”
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the opinion expressed above?
Explain your point of view by giving reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.

My response (so far):

Many people believe strongly in the adage: "Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime." That is a well-know point of view that has shaped the issue stated above. Ingenuity can foster critical thinking skills and is responsible for some awesome achievements, however too few guidelines coupled with an unclear goal can be detrimental. In this essay I will examine whether or not it is better to tell someone what to do or tell them how to do it.

Consider the variety of ways to drive between New York and Los Angeles. One driver may decide to take the scenic route and the other may take the fastest. There is no right or wrong route, but the same goal is ultimately achieved. It is important to consider whether the principle of "no right or wrong method" is allowable when deciding to tell someone what or how to do something. A doctor performing a life-threatening surgery should follow a standard protocol while a florist arrange flowers differently from one arrangement to the next. These examples indicate there are instances where ingenuity can be a good thing and times when it is counterproductive.

The flexibility of ingenuity also fosters critical thinking skills. If, for instance, an employee is not allowed to develop creative solutions when there is no standard protocol the company may suffer. Discouraging critical thinking skills can stunt the employee's growth, potentially decrease morale and eliminate the opportunity for development of a more efficient or profitable method. Ingenuity has been the driving force behind many spectacular inventions, cutting edge processes and ground-breaking ideas. Would the Nintendo Wii have been developed, garnering millions of dollars for Nintendo and igniting an entire new culture for video games if the company required its designers to focus only on wired controllers? Furthermore, critical thinking is a transferable skill that is desired and useful in a variety of careers and career levels.

Overall, I agree with the author in that the surprise of ingenuity is a better alternative than restricting creative thought. Perhaps the ability to fish for a lifetime really is much better than just a day.