It varies from person to person and situation to situation.

It depends on the person, the situation and the time available.

Sometimes it's more efficient to give out fish to the hungry while other times it's important to share the process of knowing how to fish.   

Yes, otherwise I end up acting as a shadow broker which my E & O does not cover.

I love to teach people how to fish but it seems more and more people are "vegans" !!

Richie,
I am a teacher. Sometimes even when people don’t want to learn.

Always teach.

Varies from situation to situation.  Sometimes I just want to be out fast or the topic is one that needs to be answered quickly.  Other times you have the time to teach someone how to use google...

I do a lot of volunteer work with the homeless, where we are coached to give and help without question or judgement.

But I do keep a note of names and skills and try to match people to jobs around town whenever possible.  Sometimes it helps, sometimes it does not, but until it does we give out fish without asking any questions.

I love to help people learn how to do it themselves.  Unfortunately, most don't appreciate this and just want the quick answer.

It depends upon what they want help with. A kid trying to get a first listing I will try to teach how to fish. If its an experienced agent who may need help putting together a document I "give out fish".

I make the phone ring for my agents....and I guide those who need guidance.... but I also teach them how to network and find their own business....

The same solutions do not apply to all.

Richie Alan Naggar I believe in a mentoring program. Every newbie should go through a program so they can get off to a good start in this business. I would even go as far as saying we should have an apprenticeship program for newbies. At least teach them how to throw out a line.

When time is short I give out fish, otherwise I take the time to teach them.

I have been an educator most of my adult life. However, at a point you make the distinction between those who want to learn, and those who want you to do it for them. The former, I will patiently assist, whatever it may take. "Give till it feels good, not till it hurts."

I do a little of both, it depends on the situation.

Richie - I am a big proponent of teaching people how to fish so they can feed themselves for a lifetime, and I don't have to keep feeding them. 

Guilty of sometimes providing the fish and not taking the longer but more beneficial road!

I teach people how to fish--that being said, I've found that as often as not whether you give them the fish or teach them how to fish, many are just to lazy to follow through.

Richie Alan Naggar - obvious answer should be, Teach People to fish -- though not likely to do that with my business!

I like to teach people how to fish, they appreciate it but with how fast technology changes they will pay every year to just stay on top of learning the latest fishing techniques.

Richie Alan Naggar Some people like to give fish, while others teach how to fish.

I do a bit of both...but mainly I hand out. Dogs and cats aren't really good at fishing from a kennel. Animal charities are near and dear to me, and they don't screw you over, 

Richie,

First time, you may have to hand them a can of tuna.  Next time they have to learn to work to buy that can of tuna.  LOL A

Depends on how much time you are willing to invest in the given situation. Clearly, teachiing to fish is the better way to go as it secures a future, rather than being a one-shot deal.

If you are talking about a real estate associate in need I teach them how to fish. If it's a homeless person at the traffic light it's a fish well most probably a minnow.

I don't do either but I do help out in other ways in a variety of situations.

  We do everything we can with Short Sale Sellers...credit repair...finding "second chance" lenders...Helping self employed folks with marketing plans... I am a snow crab gal myself :)....but fishing is a good thing...casting nets everywhere we can !

It depends on the situation that the other person is in.

I'm a coach at heart. Which is why I'm a student too. I offer guidance, tips and stories, but you ake your own decisions with me. Sometimes I learn from my clients decision to do something contrary to how I'd have done it.  Other times, they ignore my advice and they're allowed to walk off the cliff, so that the next time I say "the bridge is out, go this way" they'll be inclined to listen. 

I do my best to preach with my feet; (hard to get that across when I blah, blah, blog), but I really think we should lead by example and coach up our clients, same as our kids. Trial and error, failure & victory, are ultimately the educators, I'm just there to guide them along the way and learn as I go.

It's always easier to give the fish, Richie.  If I have the opportunity to teach how to fish, I would do so.