Teaching kids and adults is pretty much the same: they all need to understand why something is the way it is. You can’t just them to ‘do it because I said so’.
- · Learning
- · Needs context.
- · Without that, many
- · Subjects are hard to understand.
- · Take time to explain ‘why’ when teaching.
Adult learners need to understand the “why” behind what they’re told or taught, but very few managers were ever taught that. So, they issue basic rules or directives and wonder why their employees are slow to respond. And because most managers or coaches understand the stuff they’re trying to teach, they often forget that others may not have that knowledge or understanding. One of my old bosses used to say that instructions and directions should be written in the style of the children’s book titled “See Spot Run” – to me, that means you need to spell out instructions very simply and keep repeating them to promote learning and adoption. The point is that we should never take it for granted that others understand what we mean – just because it’s clear to us doesn’t mean it will be to others. When directing others, always take time to check and make sure that they really do understand what you’re saying. Take time to make sure others understand today.
Bob Talbert (1936-1999): American newspaper columnist for the Detroit Free Press
No comments:
Post a Comment