I’ve long held the belief that those who help others learn and develop, are natural learners themselves.  Whether it be taking on a personal challenge that taxes the brain, or learning a whole new skill, we seek out new experiences to help us understand how to make sense of things, which in turn helps us understand how others learn too.

One of the things I’ve most enjoyed learning this year has been how to paint.  Well, that’s a bit of a stretch… I’ve learnt how to follow instructions for how to paint to get the basics, and then gone off on my own tangent to add some personality. (Hence the boldly coloured quizzical chickens I recently painted!)

On reflection, I think this is how I design my training sessions.  Whether it’s helping managers to manage their people better or enabling L&D professionals to add another method to their own tool kit.  My approach is to create a solid foundation, but then encourage some intentional tangent exploring so people can make it work for them. 

I believe this approach is more likely to enable learners to get the most from sessions as they can apply it to their own needs.

I see my approach as the bridge between ‘one size fits all’ and ‘information overload!’

How do you learn best?  

- * - * - * - * -

To find out more about Nikie's Managers and Trainers development workshops and programmes, head to ​https://www.curiouslighthouse.co.uk/

20 years ago today, a car drove head-on into me at 100 mph.  This sounds very matter of fact, but back then it was anything but!
 
At the time I spent a lot of time focusing on ME, getting ME better physically and mentally. But now I'd like to focus on EVERYONE ELSE who got me through it.
 
So, THANK YOU to...
 
The person who phoned 999 and the Emergency Operator who answered  
 
The Fire Bridged who cut me out the car and for holding my hand while petrol spilled out the back
 
The Paramedics who resuscitated me in the ambulance
 
The ER team who stabilised me
 
The Nurses and Drs who worked out what needed mending and how to mend it all
 
All the NHS workers for arranging appointments, getting me to where I needed to be, encouraged me to walk again, and for getting me back in a car... without a panic attack!!
 
The GP and District Nurses for coming to the house when I was unable to leave it
 
The people who gave witness statements and the Police Officers who kept me updated on the court case
 
To my friends who stayed around even when I could give very little back for a long time
 
To my immediate awesome family, who flew from far off distances to be with me, converted the dining room into a bedroom so I could move in with them, and for continuing to be the best family ever
 
And last but not least to my husband who I met 8 years after the event, but understands that every time I flinch in the car, it's nothing to do with his driving, but others on the road driving without consideration
 
While this event may have derailed me for a while, it made me realise that with the right people around you, you have a much better chance of surviving.  So, THANK YOU ALL!