Game Wish 21: Playing and GMing

I'm running late! This is last week's Game Wish, on Playing and GMing.

Does GMing improve an individual's playing? Does playing improve a GM's GMing? In what ways? Why? If not, why not?

I've got back into off-line GMing recently after a break of several years. I can definitely say that playing improves a GM's GMing. When I'm playing (under a lot of different GMs), I pay a lot of attention to the way they're running the game, how they structure the scenarios, how they share out spotlight time, etc. Whenever I've particularly enjoyed a game I try and analyse what I've enjoyed about it, and try and apply that to my own games.

As for GMing improving my playing, I'm not so sure. Perhaps GMing improves my self-confidence, and that can reflect when I'm just a player? Also "knowing what the GM's going through" can prevent me from doing things that will make it hard for him or her. That's something for me to consider in the future, I think.