FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Human Behavior and Effective CommunicationHard
A student begins nervously explaining that he is worried about failing his upcoming checkride. Before he finishes speaking, the instructor interrupts: 'Here's what you need to do—just review the ACS more and stop worrying about it.' This response is best identified as which roadblock to effective communication?
- AInterrogating
- BAdvising
- COrdering
- DDiverting
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Advising
Advising is offering a solution before fully listening to and understanding the speaker's concern, which shuts down further open communication. The instructor jumped straight to a fix instead of exploring the student's actual worry.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Interrogating would involve firing a series of probing questions at the student.
- C. Ordering would involve a direct command such as 'Stop worrying now,' framed as an instruction to obey.
- D. Diverting would mean changing the subject entirely rather than offering a quick fix.
Roadblocks to Communication
Habitual responses (like advising, ordering, or judging) that shut down open two-way communication by responding before truly listening.
- Advising interrupts with a solution before full understanding
- Roadblocks discourage the speaker from sharing further
- Effective instructors listen fully before responding
Memory trick: 'Advice given too soon builds a roadblock, not a bridge.'