REFLECTIONS ON LIFE

Every day evokes a new potential learning experience for everyone - from the new born baby who has a lifetime of learning ahead of him, to every living creature on the Earth. Some of this learning is subliminal and is done quite unconsciously by the individual.
However, we have the active learning cycle that is taking place in schools, colleges and the working environment.

If we consider active learning as the goal that we all have to achieve in order to fully understand and appreciate the roles we play, then an equally important factor that many people underestimate is that of Process Management.

Process Management is not only the understanding of the 'how' of the task involved, but also the 'why'. Without the 'why' we are incapable of fully appreciating the activity to its full significance. A simple task of writing a piece of text may be seen as routine, however, without recognising the result and the implications, the task loses a great deal of its significance.

It is also important from the learning aspect to ensure that any performed task is not merely carried out 'robot fashion'. Most tasks can be carried out by a person following a set of procedures, however in view of the criticality of the human animal, if, for any reason, the task must be carried out via this method, the process documentation should be water-tight and unquestioning.

Teaching, both active and passive, is a skill that itself needs to be taught. The result of a good pupil is a good teacher. Active teaching - being taught by someone with knowledge and experience. Passive teaching - the student displaying sensual dexterity whilst not in the teaching environment. (Awareness).

Life, with it's unpredictable nature is the greatest teaching environment of all. I am proud to have to two small children and have plans and ambitions for them. Learning is a two way process, as I discover with my children. I need to impart to them my knowledge and experience, conversely, I need to understand from them the implications of situations that I was myself involved in many years ago and so have some personal experience, but need to understand from them their feelings and consequences. This is Situational Leadership.
This is of vital importance in dealing with other people. When a patient turns to a Nurse for advice and guidance, the Nurse assumes the role of God in the eyes of the patient. Clear, concise information together with accurate appreciation and un derstanding of the question is paramount. You are the leader/teacher , the patient the student.

There is one very important activity associated with the teaching/ learning process and that is the essence of Teamwork. There are many situations that a person may find themselves involved in where they are in a team of one. Some people can find this daunting, however, providing they have been given the correct training and are deemed to be of an adequate standard, they should have the confidence to perform. How many of us remember the first time we drove a motor car solo after passing our Driving Test ? Confidence was the key, together with self belief. This latter trait is of vital importance to an individual. The belief in ones self cannot be taught, but what can happen is that it can be coaxed towards the surface by means of the teacher placing trust into the individual. It is remarkable how putting ones trust into someone else will make them feel wanted, and they will respond accordingly. Marriage is based on trust - without trust the marriage fails leading to breakdown of confidence. The circle of confidence and trust clearly must not be broken if all are to succeed.

Where there are multiple members within a team, as there are in all departments, each person assumes a role within the team. In order for the smooth running of the team, each person ideally should know which role they are playing within the team. On many occasions, these roles will change eg. from team member, to supporter, to leader, to implementer, etc., but the importance of the unit must be stressed.
The issue of Process Management comes into the fore-front here again. What happens when one of the team is absent (vacation/sick/course) ? There must be processes in place to deal with this situation. It would be for the team leader to coordinate this function.

In conclusion it must be said that there are good and bad teachers, just as there are effective and non-effective learners. It is my desire to not only teach, but be taught the correct way to teach, to generate enthusiasm, to understand all situations, and most importantly of all, listen to the teacher and the pupil - they both have much to say.