Wavelength

Most of us don’t really realize how much mental preparation it takes to teach someone a skill that we’re so used to doing. The process may seem so instinctive that dissecting each step and defending our decision proves to be difficult. I’m not sure if this applies to the others but maybe this is partly due to the fact that I don’t remember how we acquired that set skill except through hours of constant practice interspersed throughout my grade school to college years.

To make things clearer, I tried teaching how to use a pen tablet to color in Photoshop. I realize only now that this might not have been an appropriate task, unless the objectives included letting the client just get a feel of using the tool and exploring it a little – but then again, my mistake wasn’t setting any end points. My groupmates did a better job, because I ended their sessions feeling accomplished with being able to fold a cravat and paper crane. Feedback after that was probably what I appreciated most; I honestly think we’re getting better and better with our observational skills, considering how it’s easier for us to spot each others’ points for improvement. The next step would probably be more self-awareness, since introspection is always useful.

Truth be told, situations like this always seem easier when we’re looking at them behind a glass wall. In communicating instructions or ideas, we don’t easily see how important it is to be on the same wavelength with our client or to make sure we both have the same end goals. Being able to see from their point of view allows us to better understand them, which will lead to us making our points come across more easily and, more importantly, to helping our clients help themselves.