Think first – then do something

One of the most important things that I learned when I was starting out as a coach that people like to talk things through – to work out their own solutions to issues  – to formulate plans etc.  This process will show up gaps and then – and when they are clear about what they want to do – they can ask for appropriate help if they need it.

On the other side of that is to remind us that if someone is talking an issue through ( not just in a coaching session – this applies to friends,colleagues, family) – give them some space to do that.

Don’t jump in with a solution ( your solution) – unless you are invited to do so.

I am about to finish my contract at Forthview Primary School. Have I told you what a great place it is to work ( yes I have – again and again). I will miss it so much but I know I will go back from time to time. It’s been a while since I have been in a “job”. I took this particular opportunity to get some experience of working in a school environment  as so much of my consulting work had been coming from working  with teachers and young people and I felt it would be much better if understood what being in and working in school was like.

As I expected I have learned loads.

One of my key learnings was actually a reminder.

When an issue arises – don’t jump straight into action – think first!

 and  – let me be quite clear here.

This is not to encourage procrastination.

In one particularly tricky situation I thought for a bit and realised that I did not know the structure of the systems well enough to take the next step without help. So I sought out a colleague who would listen to me ( and had time to – it’s a school remember – time is scarce) to let me work out where I was. When I understood what I was trying to do I could ask the correct questions to point me in the right direction. Ten minutes later I was taking  – the correct – action. If I had fired ahead I could so easily have gone up a few blind alleys before I got there. It would have taken up so many other people’s time too.

In a different situation but following the same train of thought I  recalled a situation in a previous job which spiralled out of control because someone did not pause to think. A colleague – let’s call them A –  had a bit of a grumble about a situation – and sent an e-mail to say so to B. B replied – quickly ( they happened to be at their desk when it came in ) and pressed the button. A  did not like the reply so spent ages compiling their response now cc’ing others of us from C-Z ( or so it seemed) in…..and before you know it it had become a full scale battle. B’s first response should probably have been to leave it til they came back and then suggested having a coffee together as I suspect that  A

• had been working through something to let off steam
• did not ask for or expect advice

So whether you have a situation that you think needs you to act – consider taking to time just to think ( or talk if you have the opportunity) about how you will do that.

Then ACT!