Feb
7
What I learned from “young” people
Filed Under young people, Reflection
Bob Hruzek gives his readers the opportunity to write a post on a topic of his choosing but always on the theme of What I Learned From. This month it is W.I.L.F PEOPLE.
So here goes.
It would be great to live in a world where one human being is respectful of the other - regardless of colour, beliefs, gender and AGE. But it is sadly not so.
I am going to make a case for respecting young people in this post.
What? I hear you cry…they never show us any respect. Whatever happened to respecting your elders?….and so on and so on.
OK - older people ( and I am inclined to include myself in that group now…hmmm) have more life experience. The can share stories through having lived that life. But it does not make them the experts in what is great and and good. Follow our lead - we are inclined to say. There have to be loads of examples of actions and opinions that young people today really do not want to follow.
Let me tell you a bit about my experience of working with young people. In this case I mean probably from 3 - 23. That’s quite a range!
I nearly became a teacher. I had been accepted for University of Edinburgh to study for a Bachelor of Education degree but during the summer break between leaving school ( still aged 16 - about to turn 17) I decided that I a) didn’t really like children and b) my own school experience had not been great . So I changed my mind - and for the next almost 30 years the nearest I came to working with children was when I was a Brown Owl of the village Brownie Unit when my daughter was 7 ( that’s a whole other story and I am not going there now!!)
My decision to set out on my own in business was influenced by my participation in a leadership programme in the Columba 1400 International Leadership Centre. There I met 8 young people who - in the language of Columba 1400 - came from backgrounds of “tough realities”. I heard about being in care, being in prison, being a teen Mum, having serious health issues, keeping out of trouble and much more - from young people at an age where my instinct was to hug them and tell them it would be alright. They were vulnerable but tough, innocent but wise, fun but deep. The whole experience was life changing for me.
Since then I have become involved in a number of projects collaborating with young people. Each time I learn so much about from them. I hear their views on the world today - and crucially how they would like to change that. If you get the chance to ask someone of school age their views on something like war, or global warming, or government - and are prepared to listen - I expect you will be really surprised.
A challenge of course is to hear their views they have to be given the chance to speak. Being able to articulate your views comes with practice. Many older people struggle with expressing themselves too. That is why I have become involved with Speakersbank.
The other challenge is to allow them to operate in an environment that we can relate to such as within an organisation. My work with Space Unlimited showed me - and the businesses I was working with - just how well that young people can rise to the challenge ( the great pic at the top of the website was of the young people interviewing the employees at their machines. They got so much out of wearing the same protective clothing alone !!)
Working inside a school showed me what goes on in terms of the curriculum in the 21st Century and what they do with their learning. I took minutes during meetings of the various committees which had representatives from 5 - 11 year olds. That was really illuminating. And hard questions were asked of the adults who could take things forward for them.
I guess that is what I learned most of all. The questions - are simply put. You know where you are with them - and why they are being asked. No pussyfooting around - straight to the point. That is not to say that most of the young people I have me don’t have a sense of other people’s feelings. Sure the littlest ones are a bit self - centred but that is the stage that they are at in their development.
So there you go. That’s my case for the defence M’lud.
Though you know - young people really don’t need me to stick up for them. They just need us all to listen more - and give a little respect.
Wonderful piece, Jackie! I think you’ve made a great case - and the Space Unlimited site is amazing. Very innovative, I must say.
Ironically enough, I just completed a Root Cause Analysis seminar, and you know what? The technique is pretty much what you describe.
In fact, the instructor summed it up this way: “You have to be three years old. You have to ask, ‘Why’, to everything. And don’t stop asking until you finally get to something that’s not in your control.”
Root Cause Analysis is a new one to me Bob. On checking it I am glad to see it has nothing to do with dentists ( ouch!)
Thanks for your comments. Space Unlimited’s work is indeed amazing.
[…] … Salvadore Dali, by Amy Palko at Lives Less Ordinary … People, by Trevor Hampel at Trevor’s Writing … Things I have learned from… People, by Sarah Stewart at Sarah’s Musings … I don’t understand people! – sometimes, by Karin H. at The Kiss Business Too … “young” people, by Jackie Cameron at Jackie Cameron … My Business Mentors, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc. … No Impact Man, by Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth … People Watching, Sam Brougher at Your Scared Seductive System … People with Down Syndrome, by Debby Y. at Three Weddings … There’s Only One Word for What I Learned From People, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing … People: The best mirrors of our lives, by Mike Botz (no blog – guest posted at MZM) … the People we collectively call “our employees”, by Rosa Say at Managing with Aloha Coaching … Kung Hee Fat Choy! What I Learned From Clara, by Rosa Say at Joyful Jubilant Learning … the Blob in the Black Sweater, by Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Personal Power … the Bass Player, by Pete Aldin at Freaked Out Fathers … People with Magical Thinking, by Lillie Amman at A Writer’s Words, and Editor’s Eye … a Physician with an Atrocious Bedside Manner, by Jeanne Dininni at Writer’s Notes … People, by Stephen Sherlock at Quiet Poet […]
as a mother of 2, this pieces speaks loudly to me, raising them on my own I was determined to surround them with what I called people of influence, not folks that could benefit me, but folks that could benefit or inspire them - it’s interesting to watch youth today “become” and when they are connected in some way to arena’s that foster their success - boy can they rock!!
Hi Karen. Surrounding your children with people who can inspire them is inspirational it itself.
I also think that we should encourage them to share and celebrate their success!
Thanks for sharing.
Jackie
Well I am 100% per cent behind you on this one. This week I learnt that often many young people are angry because often there are very few opportunities for them to speak their mind without prejudice.
The key is in listening.
Do you remember the adults who listened to you when you were young? Really listened? I certainly do. Says it all doesn’t it.
And listening without prejudice - how can we remind people what that means?!
Thanks for your comment Dave.
[…] … Salvadore Dali, by Amy Palko at Lives Less Ordinary … People, by Trevor Hampel at Trevor’s Writing … Things I have learned from… People, by Sarah Stewart at Sarah’s Musings … I don’t understand people! – sometimes, by Karin H. at The Kiss Business Too … “young” people, by Jackie Cameron at Jackie Cameron … My Business Mentors, by Brad Shorr at Word Sell, Inc. … No Impact Man, by Karen Hanrahan at Best of Mother Earth … People Watching, Sam Brougher at Your Scared Seductive System … People with Down Syndrome, by Debby Y. at Three Weddings … There’s Only One Word for What I Learned From People, by Joanna Young at Confident Writing … People: The best mirrors of our lives, by Mike Botz (no blog – guest posted at MZM) … the People we collectively call “our employees”, by Rosa Say at Managing with Aloha Coaching … Kung Hee Fat Choy! What I Learned From Clara, by Rosa Say at Joyful Jubilant Learning … the Blob in the Black Sweater, by Jean Browman at Transforming Stress Into Personal Power … the Bass Player, by Pete Aldin at Freaked Out Fathers … People with Magical Thinking, by Lillie Amman at A Writer’s Words, and Editor’s Eye … a Physician with an Atrocious Bedside Manner, by Jeanne Dininni at Writer’s Notes … People, by Stephen Sherlock at Quiet Poet […]
I personally know a 21 year old who is in the process of launching a charity. His idea, his money, his investment in others.
Young People are awesome and this was a wonderfully respectful post toward them Well done!
Thanks Pete. I would love to hear more about that young man.
Jackie
“Root Cause Analysis… has nothing to do with dentists”… hey - I get it! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Bob - I am worried that you are slightly closer to the edge than normal…..