If you teach, could you at least inform your students that there is more than one way to play the harp? There's "French" or Grandjany style, "American" or Salzedo style, and I know there are Russian and Italian schools of harp as well.  Know what school or method you're from and let people know.  If you're self taught, say that! If you play "Celtic" style or another "Traditional" style (i.e., you learned your hand position from your teacher who learned it from their teacher and maybe it's not in a book anywhere...) say that!  Most people are best at what they know, and IMHO very few people are qualified to teach more than one hand position.  If you're confronted with a student that doesn't know what they've been studying, possibly for several years, refer them to a teacher who does what they do! It's counterproductive to try to squash them into a hand position that's unfamiliar unless they're really having trouble with it or have pain somewhere.  And remember, the different hand positions are not bad or wrong! They're just different! They fit different students with different needs, and great musicality is possible no matter what technique you study! Please be respectful of other hand positions and other schools of music when communicating with students. 

Also, please try to start the students off on a harp that's stable! It's difficult to learn to balance and hold a lap harp at the same time as learning the correct hand position and learning to read music, musicality, possibly even coordinated movement... while some students can do it, stability of the instrument goes a very long way to preventing pain and injury.  Lap harps with no feet, or harps that are top-heavy (most of the weight in the neck and pillar) are not the only "affordable" harps. There are a few work-arounds  - sticks and bars and stands - that can be used to stabilize a lap harp.

I'm completely convinced that fluidity and musicality on the harp are mostly a result of logging in hours on the instrument... familiarity with the instrument as well as regular repertoire and practice are the secrets to success...