Occasionally I see something, whether a quote, a picture or something I read, that makes me sit up and take notice. Especially when it's to do with abilities not being encouraged. Perhaps its the natural 'coach' in me!
Seeing a news report, a story from a friend or hearing from a client of first-hand experience of feeling like they had been overlooked.
Several people I've met over the years told me that school/ sport /club sometimes left them feeling like they were running an uphill battle with them at the bottom of the hill trying to reach the top. No support was provided to get there. Yet they had the ability in them and had 'given up' trying.
They were shouted at for doing things wrong or for not doing it the way the system believed it should be (school, club - whatever really). Negative and restrictive behaviours surrounding the system brought them down. It wasn't their fault, yet they thought it was. It was the system that was actually failing. It was not meeting their needs and conformed to the majority of the participants that were in it.
Then I hear other stories of people who have been lucky enough to have worked with an amazing teacher/coach/leader. Amazing in that a person is respected for being sensitive to the needs of people who struggled in the traditional systems. These inspirational people seem to instinctively know to inspire and train people who maybe don't fit the 'usual' system requirements. They know how to encourage and empower and inspire confidence and also introduce fun ways of keeping that knowledge.
The best thing that all of these leaders, teachers and coaches seem to do, is find a way of reaching out to people. Encouraging and reinforcing learning in a fun and forgiving way. Learning is also about making mistakes and people often fear making mistakes. So if a student/person does happen to make a mistake they are made aware, encouraged to correct it themselves, or shown how to solve it if they do not have the actual skill required. No getting hung up on any idea of 'failure'.
There might not always be available time to give to that one person who is struggling, especially in a team environment, as everybody needs to be 'on the ball'. However, that one person may remember and respect that inspirational teacher/coach/ leader who bothered to stop, show and encourage them. If they are finding it tough it will mean a lot to them and inspire them to keep going.
See:
angiegiles.co.uk
Twitter: angie_therapist
Facebook: Angie Giles Hypnotherapy
About the Author: Angie works as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach at the Norfolk Clinic Complementary Healthcare Clinic, 38-40 Magdalen Road, Norwich.
Call Norfolk Clinic reception on 01603 660792 or Angie directly on 07773 610816. She loves helping other people achieve their potential at work ,life and find greater happiness using a range of therapeutic techniques.
