If you ever get set on fire, I'll warn you: Your training fails you
Some coaching lessons from a senior year mishap
I got set on fire my senior year of college. Literally. I was at my boyfriend’s house, hanging out with his friends who were dopishly playing with fireworks. In a cartoon-like fashion, one of the stupid little rockets flew up into the air and… down the back of my pants.
You would think your training would step in during a crisis like this. I remember those classes so well: Stop, drop, and roll! TVs on rolling carts, assemblies, and parental guidance all said the same thing. Stop, drop, and roll.
However, I know firsthand that this is not the first thought when you are set ablaze in early twenties glory. It’s, “holy sh*t! I’m on fire!”
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Naturally, the resulting action from this thought involves running around in circles and ultimately wasting precious seconds to preserve my skin and what was little left of my dignity. Despite the years of training, I could not access the solution that was obviously in front of me.
“Stop, drop, and roll!” a friend finally yells from a distance.
Ah ha! It hits me. Problem: I’m on fire. Solution: Stop, drop, and roll.
Within a few seconds, the fire is put out, but the work is far from over. Then comes assessing the damage, identifying appropriate treatment plans, and ensuring that these boneheads follow proper safety guidelines from this moment on.
Leadership Lessons from Being Literally On Fire
1. Training Needs Repetition
Sometimes, it takes a long time for the training to become automatic. Despite years of hearing stop, drop, and roll, it wasn't my immediate reaction. I did not practice stop, drop, and roll in context. Similarly, we can’t just teach the science of reading. We must practice in the context of the instructional materials we are asking our educators to use.
2. Prompting is Essential
In moments of crisis or confusion, people often need prompting to remember what they’ve learned. My friend's shout was the catalyst for me to recall the correct action. Similarly, educators benefit from live coaching and timely interventions.
3. Clarity and Brevity in Instructions
Keep the lessons “snappy” and clear. When in crisis, the brain needs concise and actionable steps. Break down instructions into manageable parts to ensure they are understood and followed.
4. Follow-Through is Crucial
We have to see things all the way through. After the immediate crisis is resolved or we have a coaching conversation with an educator, there must be a clear follow-up plan. This could involve checking in within a week for most action steps or within 2-3 days for those who have doubts or are struggling.
Right now, many of our educators feel on fire.
They are overwhelmed by the demands and challenges of the job. As leaders, we must provide buckets of water through strategic leadership, thoughtful prompting, repeated practice, and clear follow-up plans. Doing so can help extinguish the flames of stress and burnout, allowing our educators to thrive in their roles.