Are you super-powered?

“Unapproachable”

Wow – ever had that as feedback? As an educator, mentor & coach of some decades, that one hurt. It came from learner feedback from a recent short, postgraduate, medical education course.

It’s pretty much the direct opposite of my aim as an educator & coach, so what went wrong?

Looking at the image, you may be prepared for this to be a rant about a particular generation. If that’s what you are after, look elsewhere.

I view inter-generational challenges – especially ones of communication – as an opportunity to learn.

So, why “unapproachable”? Sadly the feedback was not specific.

Could we be more wrong?

After some reflection & a conversation with a valued colleague, we concluded it was one comment made during the introduction about how individuals’ scopes of practice should not limit them to anything on the course. Historically, this has been delivered in a “get one with it”, perhaps “matter of fact” way.

100% wrong. I could not have been more wrong and this leaner’s feedback opened my eyes. I am immensely grateful.

This “robust” approach to communications is very much the norm amongst my peers. It’s accepted. It’s common. And we’ve been getting it wrong all along.

The younger learners we are now working with have less tolerance for this – as we all should have done all along. They will not tolerate this robust, pejorative, even aggressive approach.

So, rather than

“Do this or else”

(I’m paraphrasing in an intentionally inflammatory manner here).

On the last course, I changed the message to one more along the lines of:

“If you encounter anything on the course that is outside your usual scope of practice, consider this an opportunity to spread your wings and learn in a safe space”

Gratitude to whomever you are, and to your generation in general

So, to that millennial or Gen Z or however you identified (I have no idea, the feedback was anonymised of course), thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart because you have made me a better educator and coach.

So what was going wrong?

Two things I think. Firstly, a lack of mindfulness to the power of our words. Secondly to a lack of confidence to speak out.

Mindful speech

In his excellent book “The Promises of Giants”, John Amaechi relates the impactful story of how he unintentionally injured somebody simply by being an exuberant dancer. This, physical, example of unintended consequences is of course to paint the picture of the power of our words & behaviours.

As educators and instructors, it is all too easy to be in our own heads and not that of our audience. It is equally possible to have little awareness of the responsibility that comes from being in such “elevated” positions. Be aware and allow this awareness to impact your behaviours.

Confidence

This can be assumed in a coach or educator, surely? In fact, imposter syndrome and some negative behaviours are probably more evident.

Confidence comes from acting in confidence with your core values – you be you!

Knowing what your values are is an important early step in this process. Get connected, stay authentic.

I do not believe the majority of my generational peers felt this way as learners, hopefully we can embrace authenticity now it is our time to pay forwards our knowledge, skills & behaviours to those at an earlier stage of their progressional & personal development.

Super-powered

I reject the intergenerational conflict and judgments so popular in various forms of media.

I do not accept the characterisations of them that I will not repeat here.

I embrace the “huh” or “why” moment brought on by the fresh eyes of another generation.

I accept their feedback as 100% valid, no matter how challenging.

Listen to them.

Hear them.

Love them.