“If you get comfortable with people learning at different paces, you’ll help them reach their highest potential.”
George Couros
The Innovator’s Mindset
I remember when my little nephew, Cameron, was born. He was the only baby in our family at the time, and we thought he was the cutest, sweetest little boy EVER! When he turned two years old, we began to wonder why he didn’t talk. He understood everything we told him. He would even follow multiple-step request, such as “Cam, will you go to Aunt T’s room and grab my purse? I’ll meet you at the back door.” He’d meet me at the door with my purse, and we would head out to the park. There, he would listen to the other children and follow their request–never saying a word. We worried about him, but the pediatrician would tell his mom and dad, “He’s fine. He will talk when he is ready.”
It was just before Cameron turned three; a light bulb clicked on. He began speaking and spoke in full sentences with inflection in his voice. Cam was not only comparable to other three-year-olds for vocabulary, he was above average.
I often think about Cameron and the lessons I learned from him during his silent years. Some would say, “He’s developmentally delayed.” However, I disagree. This little toddler listened and absorbed information for over two years. We never stopped stretching him to try something new or challenge him to tackle more verbal tasks. He was acquiring new knowledge and growing the whole time! We couldn’t always “see” it, but he was learning at his pace. When he was ready, he shared all of his knowledge and blew our everlivin’ MINDS! Cam will be a senior this year and is an outstanding student who holds himself to high standards. In fact, he has never once struggled academically.
How often to we underestimate students’ or staff members’ pace of learning? How do we meet others where they are? What’s taking place behind the scenes that we might not see? In what ways do we strive to understand better where others are in their learning experience?
Might we assume one’s learning pace without inquiring?
Humble inquiry is incredibly insightful. It might be my single most favorite “communication tool” as a coach, collaborator and relationship builder. There are no assumptions, simply asking an open question and entering the conversation after they share. Meet them where they are.
The assumptions others had about my nephew drove me absolutely batty. I wanted to say, “You don’t know what he can do. His facial expressions let me know he understands us. He can do this or that.” But others were quick to judge. It didn’t matter to Cameron, though; he was a toddler. He didn’t even notice. He just chose a different path to learn and decided to go at his own pace. Now, he is hand picking the college he wants to attend. Cameron taught me that although we all learn at different paces, with an understanding leader (guide), the sky is the limit for reaching our highest potential.
