When I work, my first relationship with people is professional. There are people who want to be your friend right away. I say, “We’re not gonna be friends until we get this done. If we don’t get this done, we’re never going to be friends, because if we don’t get the job done, then the one thing we did together that we had to do together we failed.” People confuse friendship and relaxation. It’s incredibly important to be relaxed — you don’t have a chance if you’re not relaxed. So I try very hard to relax any kind of tension. But friendship is different.
— <p><a href=“http://www.esquire.com/features/man-at-his-best/q-and-a/bill-murray-interview-0612" title=“esquire.com”>Bill Murray</a>.</p>
<p>I goof around with students a lot. With Seniors, it’s different though; they get the undercurrent, they understand the consistent message: “Relax, we’ll have fun learning together … but always remember that we’re here for the learning.” If there’s no learning, we’re failing at why we’re in the class together in the first place.</p>
<p>Of course, after graduation, there’s the possibility of developing a friendship with former students — but what comes first, what always and necessarily comes first, is the learning.</p>