Congratulations Shirley you are the first ETIA Instructor to become an Authorised L.E.T. Instructor since ETIA took on the Australian L.E.T. License with GTI last year.
Please tell us a little about yourself?
I started my business “Dalton Business Systems” in October 2006 helping small business owners to streamline their operations. I found that once we had finished the systems project the systems often fell over because the owners and managers didn’t know how to lead and manage their people or keep them accountable. As a result, I started to coach them one on one and then was able to leverage my time by offering experiential leadership programs.
As the business evolved, I developed the Blueprint for Business Freedom focussing on High Performing People, High Performing Processes and High Performance Possibilities (Mindset).
How did you first hear about Effectiveness Training skills?
I was fortunate to be offered to be a participant in the Teacher Effectiveness Training program taught by John Solan when I worked as a part-time teacher in the NSW TAFE around 1994-1995.
What inspired you to become an L.E.T. instructor?
I loved the skills I learned with T.E.T. and was delighted when I found out I could become a facilitator when I lived in Brisbane for a few years between 1998 and 2000. I was trained by Lola Mavor.
Please tell us your personal experience of conducting your first L.E.T. workshop.
Even though I had been using and teaching the skills for over 2 decades and felt I knew the material really well, I was very nervous to facilitate my first L.E.T. workshop. My first workshop was scheduled over 3 days (two sessions per day), one week apart. I focussed on following the manual and found I got distracted as I read the instructions to myself in front of the class and then did my best to give the class their instructions.
After the first day I rewrote the manual instructions for the following modules in the way that I had been used to using. This helped settle the nerves as well as ensured that I was familiar with the content and the activities, some of which were different to Be Your Best which I had been using.
I particularly liked the videos and was very impressed with the Gordon team who played the characters.
Going forward, for 3 day workshops, I would include the homework for module 5 at the end of module 4 because modules 5 and 6 are completed on the last day, which didn’t allow time for module 5 homework.
I liked the role play cards and participants mentioned they would have liked more role play time to practise the skills even more.
I also liked the structure and how the modules build on each other based on Who Owns The Problem.
What have been the significant areas of growth and change for your participants whilst completing the L.E.T. course?
Understanding Who Owns The Problem and how that helps to identify the skills to use. Many participants expressed that they found a positive difference in their relationships when they practised Active Listening. They also really liked the 6 Step Problem Solving Method and appreciated the structure to be able to collaboratively solve problems.
What are your future plans as an instructor?
I am very excited to be offering the L.E.T. program, which was previously unavailable to me as a facilitator. I like the focus on the work examples.
I have just had confirmation today that a client has accepted my proposal to run an inhouse L.E.T. program over 6 x 3 hour sessions.
I am excited to get more experience and more confidence in running the workshop.
Do you have any words of encouragement or advice for new instructors who are hesitating or are about to conduct their first course?
Yes, something I remind myself of constantly, a quote by Aristotle:
“The thing we think we need to know how to do before doing, we LEARN BY DOING“.
The only way to improve is to get in the pool and swim. There is only so much academic learning you can do. The real learning comes on the job.
AND the participants are kind. The participants in my first workshop knew that it was the first time I was running it and they were very supportive. They gave feedback and encouragement, even when I felt like I was floundering at first.
Everyone wants you to succeed!
