The Maori of New Zealand have a word ‘Ako’ meaning to learn as well as to teach. We are all teachers and learners at different times.
In the Maori world it is acceptable for the learner to shift roles and become the teacher and for the teacher to become the learner. Training and learning together.
Now that’s a thought…
My question to you is, how does this translate for us as trainers?
What are the qualities that we need to possess to be humble enough, and authentic enough, to let the learner know we are not in charge of their learning. We are the facilitators.
Here’s a laundry list that comes to mind for me:
- Humility – the willingness to not know the answer to a question, which leads to the next virtue…
- Integrity – I call this letting your character show up in the dark. You know you can smell it a mile off when someone is out of integrity, don’t try it on, cos people will pick it up in you.
- Lightheartedness – The ability to leave the emotional drama out of learning and play with it like a child – child-like, not childish.
- Know your shit – I couldn’t think of the word for this one. What I mean by this is knowing your own emotional baggage so that it doesn’t get triggered by your participants insecurities.
I know there are more, help me out here, what would you add to the list?
