The Parallels of Fatherhood and the L&D Profession
During a recent Father's Day weekend, I took my young daughter on a solo trip to the park. As I lay in bed that night, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between fatherhood and my career in learning and development.
Our Journey
We began by cycling a couple of miles to the nearest Metro Park. Since we had recently moved into our new home, I planned and tested the route beforehand to ensure its safety and suitability.
The Connection
In my role as a learning and development professional, I meticulously plan, pilot, and prototype programs or training sessions before presenting them to participants. The aim is to provide the most effective and successful learning experience.
Creating the Right Environment
With my 22-month-old daughter in mind, I had to choose a park that would cater to her current developmental stage, allowing her to practice existing skills while also challenging her to learn new ones in a safe and appropriate environment.
The Connection
As a program manager, I strive to create a learning environment that promotes growth, balancing practice with development. I also need to ensure participants feel safe emotionally, physically, and psychologically.
Encouraging Exploration and Learning from Experience
At the park, I gave my daughter the space and freedom to explore, helping her understand the various elements and obstacles she would encounter. This also allowed me to observe her interests and abilities.
The Connection
In learning and development, it's important to allow participants to explore the content and learn through their experiences. They can then recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, becoming more open to learning new things when given the chance to fail independently.
Modeling Skills
When my daughter struggled to climb the rock wall, I demonstrated a technique to help her succeed. I showed her where to place her feet and how to use her legs to push upward.
The Connection
Modeling is an effective strategy for building confidence in participants. By showing them one way to perform a task, they can then adapt and develop their own methods once they feel confident.
Coaching and Support
After demonstrating a few techniques, I shifted to coaching, offering support when needed while still allowing her to feel independent and empowered.
The Connection
The ongoing development of participants involves coaching and providing the right amount of support to help them master new skills.
In conclusion, recognizing the connections between life skills and our careers is crucial. My passion for learning and development makes me a good father, while the skills I develop as a father contribute to my success as a learning and development professional.