Wordsworth made these lines eternal:"Pleasure n Learning go hand In hand,but Pleasure leads the way".There is no better way 2 handle our reservations n apprehensions,esp. when it comes 2 accepting new ideas or learning new things of life.
Sometime back,at one of the corporate training session,I was getting ready the training room 4 a course which I was conducting 4 the Staff of a Well Known Hotel of Hyderabad.In general before the Start of training,I check my Lappy Connection with LCD,Lights,A/C,Disturbances,Visibility n other teaching aids.As I got Busy with scrutinizing the network connectivity I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Excuse me,"the gentleman said,who was the training Manager, "Do you think I can have a Word with you about one of my staff who is coming 4 the course today?",which was odd as I had been conducting quite a few sessions 4 them 4 past one year.And never was such a request made.
"Of Course, No trouble"I said waiting 4 him 2 enlighten me on this weird request.
"Not here."He said secretively,beckoning me into the small cabin where we normally partake food, outside the training room.
Intrigued,I followed him out of the training room giving the work 2 my assistant.In the cabin,stood a young lady,in her late 20s.Her face pale n looked strange that shocked me,her hands looked like she was wrenching the door handle off the door n I felt she was having pre-training apprehensions.
"This is Savitha",the manager explained,"She hates training"
Well,that was an out of the ordinary way 2 introduce the participant,I thought.
"Morning,Savitha",I said with a grin hiding my shock,"What is that you hate about training?"
"She particularly hates doing presentations" answered the manager on her behalf,while Savitha Stood there nodding her head mutely.
"Do you,really?"I gasped in mock scepticism."So Do Me 2!Thank God I will not be asking anyone 2 do that 4 me today"
For the first time,I noticed a smile on Savitha's face,just a bit of smile,but alas the rest of the body language n her hands remained clenched on 2 the imaginary door handle.
"But there is one more thing Javeed",said the manager,"You see,Mahesh is going 2 be there 4 the same course of today's n he can be well,vocal.Savitha is a bit afraid of him"
"Is this gentleman bit difficult,I mean this Mahesh",I asked Savitha instead looking at her directly.She yet again nodded her head but more vigorously.
"Do you think,he's not going 2 give me a hard time,is He?,Savitha",I asked.She Smiles again but a much brighter one.
"He might",she blurted out.This killed me 2.
"Oh My God",I continued"I hate People like Mahesh,Who give tough times 2 others.Do you think you could help me in the session 2 deal with Mahesh?I mean,you know him better than I do,So you could as well protect me from him,What do You Say,Savitha?Are you a Game 4 that?"
Instead of a reply 4 the question,I just got a Short reply"I'll stay till lunch time",Said Savitha
"Fine,that is a Good beginning",I Said,"I should also be able 2 get a good measure of him by afternoon. And all the three of us walked back in 2 the training room.
During the course of the day,at periodically intervals I went up 2 Savitha n whispered,"How do you think I am handling him?"
"Ok",she grinned like a Cheshire cat.
For most part of the Pre-Lunch Session Savitha was Quite,but she took full part in the proceedings n after the lunch,much 2 my surprise as well as 2 that of the training manager,We found her back in her chair 4 the afternoon session.
Very Often during training session,I am alarmed by the oblivious fear with which some people contemplate the idea of learning new things.Even I do that when I teach n I always believe with out those butterflies in the stomach I am bound 2 perform badly.Although Savitha is an extreme case of anxiety couple with fear of a colleague there are many normal,matured sane well-educated individuals like you n me who also at times are frightened 2 death of what is in store 4 us.I always feel its the responsibility of the team,trainer,superiors,training manager 2 do all that they can 2 allay their unknown fears.
I generally do a review of my training session,by visiting the work place of those whom I trained after a 3 month period as value added services 2 get feedback n do follow-up of the course.I did meet Savitha n her manager in the process,I was surprised 2 find a confident,matured,blossomed,looking young lady n I was surprised when she volunteered 2 take me around 2 meet the rest of the participants including Mahesh.
I always ponder,if many of my students do really think I do have a fear of the presentations n that of people like Mahesh 2.May be I do have or May be that's just another way I do my teaching,just being like one of them.What do they know about my secrets?I am Learning 2,by Teaching them!
