Sparky and Coach, lighting up the path for me.
As you know now from this week's themed articles "Sparky and Coach" I have always been interested in becoming an electrician, as well as in understanding the common denominators between coaching and electrician mastery. I knew this adventure would be hard, but I didn't expect so many commonalities in how we as humans and teams relate to laying and testing our electrical circuits.
Day 4: Yesterday was hard (again, again), today was harder (again, again, again), until a light lamp (bulbs are for gardening) moment happen. I came in with nerves, thinking "will I get it" and left with the motivation to go for a run and another exciting evening with John Ward.
So my learnings...
FIVE LIVE CONNECTIONS
PIVOT (S5E16). An obvious one that is neither specific to coaching, scrum nor becoming an electrician, this acts more as a reminder to us all. Everyone learns at different stages. Don't bully yourself (nor others) for being slower, learning differently or having a real dislike for acronyms. It's important to take it easy. If you want to go fast, slow down, take a breath.
Finding FAULT. Testing is a huge part of your day as an electrician, in total (from what I know to date) there are 9 tests to complete when installing in a domestic dwelling. And that's to find fault; in the wire, insolation, connects, current... you name it. Finding faults is the aim of the testing game. Finding fault in others is not. Try and see people with unconditional positive regard, non-judgement over their decisions. Where there are blockers in the team be it psychological or physical support one another over blame, it will get you to a solution faster and happier.
Fixing is FUN. Be curious with your designs and work, make it fun, life is short and could be boring if we let it be. Find joy in the work that you do, with the team you have. "Having fun, whilst getting stuff done", it's the way we roll at Maykit.
Get WIRED. Learning is tough, at any age, and as per our 'pivotal' moment above make sure you understand how you learn and understand things. Understanding the why is more important to me than what I am doing, I know that for that I need diagrams, movement, and hands-on experience. What about you?
PROBE. Questions are there to be asked. If you are not sure how to ask or your question is not being understood, feedback and ask "have I understood that?" .
*WARNING: Puns will be present throughout the article. If that's not your thing, take a trip.