How to teach a skill successfully

Are you in the business of teaching #skills?

Do you #coach someone to get better at something?

Are you a parent #teaching your child to do something new?

Then you need to know how to teach a skill meaningfully and effectively.

Remember, #skilltraining is different from behavioral training.

"Every skill you acquire doubles your odds of success." - Scott Adams

I remember when I was training my daughter how to cycle without the support wheels when she was 6yrs old.

These are some of the things I said:

"Sit straight"

"Eyes front"

"Steady your hands"

"No, that's not the way"

"C'mon, one more round...you can do it!"

"How are you feeling?"

"No, I am not letting go...I am holding the cycle..."

"Okay, I know you are upset...Daddy shouted because of...and I am sorry"

"You need to overcome that fear"

"When I was learning to drive a cycle, Grandpa..."

"Great job! Now you feel more confident, isn't it?"

I had to demonstrate, explain, coach, let go, motivate, be patient, cheer, apologize and finally allow her to do it in her own style. Now when she does these little stunts on her bicycle, I clap and cheer because she is using that skill to learn new ones on her own!

"Learning how to learn is life's most important skill." - #Tonybuzan

I was recently working with two different groups of leaders, teaching them skills - the skill of #Datastorytelling and the skill of #PresentingwithoutPowerPoint. The participants in both these sessions were at different levels of #competence so I had to ensure there was a learning mix of slow & fast, easy & challenging, and repetitive & varied.

As I reflected on the learning and what I could have done better, I decided to create a #visualframework to help me and others, who teach skills to do it more meaningfully.

The ?????????????? Visual framework:

D - #Demonstrate

Tell why, reveal the outcome with benefits, and show how it is done to get attention & build interest

E - #Explain

The key steps, methodology, quick tips

P - #Patiently Redemonstrate

Step by step, role-plays, how-to's, clarify doubts, slow-paced

I - #Imitate

Give them the opportunity to repeat with you, check for progress, motivate, correct, and help them remember

C - #Coach

Debrief the skill learning journey objectively & reflectively, and lead them to refine

T - #Trial

Create a safe space to test it, let go, cheer, accept their style, and adapt to their real world scenarios

S - #Strategy

Guide them to craft an action plan with follow-up and accountability + secret tricks

"An empowered organisation is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way that leads to collective organisational success." - #stephencovey

The next time you are teaching a skill, use the #DEPICTS visual framework to create success for all.

#storypreso #ashleyvinil #leadership #learning #facilitation