He calls you because the computer is doing something strange again. You fix it in thirty seconds. He thanks you. He calls you next week for the same thing. The Technical Delegate pattern grows each time you take over. The better move: put him in the driver’s seat, even when it is slower.
Practical Techniques
Keep Your Hands Off
Sit beside him, not in front of the screen. Guide with words: “Move the cursor to the menu at the top.” Let him click. Let him miss and try again. His hands on the keyboard build muscle memory. Your hands on the keyboard build nothing for him.
Break It Into Steps
One step at a time. Say: “Click File.” When he does that, move to the next step. Do not say “save, close, and then open the new document” all at once. Each small success keeps him going. Give him the next step only after the last one is done.
Explain the Why
Tell him what each action does. “We click Save so the computer remembers your work.” Or: “This password keeps your account private.” When he knows why a step matters, he can remember it. He can also work out similar steps on his own next time.
Why This Works
Doing it for him is faster today. Teaching him is slower. But the next call never comes when the lesson sticks. His confidence builds on each thing he does himself. That is the whole point.
Take Your Time
Frustration from the teacher kills the lesson faster than anything. If it is taking a long time, that is normal. Say: “You have got this. Try it again.” Then wait.