Memorable feedback from a delegate during his coaching session following the first two modules of one of my leadership courses that he had been sent on by his boss. I took it as great praise, as he had announced at the end of the first module that he was 50, had already done a leadership course and knew all he needed to know! Over the course of the following four modules I continued to work to open his mind to the possibility that gaining more awareness of other people’s styles and developing his own behavioural flexibility could be of benefit for him.
I was delighted when he came bounding in to the final coaching session some 8 months after we started to announce that he had changed, he was sleeping better, his wife was enjoying his company more, he had successfully dealt with a personnel issue that had been unresolved for some considerable time and was enjoying the look of bewilderment on his colleagues faces when they found that they could no longer “push his buttons” and get a predictable response.
This experience really reinforced to me the benefit of ensuring potential delegates are emotionally signed up to the potential benefits of investing their time and energy in further training rather than training being seen as either a tick box exercise or remedial for perceived failings.
Very nice blog, Adrian!
go well
Michael
Posted by: MichaelM | February 18, 2009 at 10:30 AM