Sep 12
A mind without instruction can no more bear fruit than can a field, however fertile, without cultivation.
Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)
Leroy Jethro Gibbs rarely spoke to his team. It wasn't necessary. He was training them to be better agents, not debate his every word. While other Supervisory Agents could teach their teams in whatever way they wished (and while they weren't bad agents, they were too open to discussions), he would teach his team the way he knew worked.
After all, he'd learnt this way.
When he did speak, his team hung onto and obeyed every word. They weren't about to cross him in a hurry, or unless they were certain he was going down the wrong path. He encouraged them to anticipate his instructions by saying little. If they weren't told directly what to do, they had to figure it out for themselves. If they had to figure it out, they rapidly figured out how to investigate on their own.
DiNozzo finished a slightly rambling monologue about a possible suspect. Gibbs allowed him a little leeway – they had been up for thirty hours and were unlikely to be napping any time soon. He took a very brief moment to decide what he wanted his team to do.
"DiNozzo," he began.
"Locate the girlfriend," Tony finished, heading back to his desk.
"David."
"Phone records."
"McGee."
"Bank statements, credit cards reports," the younger man finished, already at his desk.
He allowed himself a quick smirk. They were getting there.