Like a lot of people, I probably spend too much time on my phone playing games. A long-term favourite has been ‘The Chase’, but just recently I’ve been getting into Countdown, based on the long-running TV show.
Having tried Countdown once or twice on the ‘hard’ setting and being totally humiliated by a computer (I have always found the ‘numbers’ rounds particularly difficult) I’d settled on playing at the ‘normal’ level. Like a lot of people, I enjoy winning, and in recent weeks I’d seemed to be beating the computer most of the time. Then, yesterday, when launching the game, I accidentally hit ‘hard’. I was tempted to exit the game and relaunch it, but because time was limited (we were due to leave the house in 15 minutes) I didn’t.
In the first round I only found a five-letter word. Disaster! Except, hang on, so did the computer. After the second round, and a six-letter word, we were still level. I slipped behind a bit after that, but by round six I was only five points behind. Then I had a round where I found the best possible word and from there I built a tentative lead, doing as well as the computer in each of the ‘numbers’ rounds and beating it in some of the letters rounds. Solving the final conundrum secured a completely unexpected victory!
How did that happen, when I’d been so humiliated at this level just a few weeks ago?
Often, we’re really bad at seeing our own progress – when we practise new skills the improvement between one experience and the next is too small for us to spot. It’s only when we’re nudged outside of our comfort zone that we witness what we’ve achieved. I’d dramatically improved my Countdown skills through practice, without really appreciating it – a lack of awareness that is often replicated in the workplace.
Managers have a vital role to play in not only helping their teams develop new skills but in raising awareness of those improved skills too. This means effective appraisal discussions, objectives that stretch people to a point where they can realise their new potential, as well as great feedback, coaching and ongoing support.
As you’d expect, Trainers’ Library has loads of training materials to help managers develop their ability to help team member’s tap into and recognise their new abilities. Here are a few of my favourites:
- Our series of course modules on Workplace Coaching.
- Preparing for a Performance Review.
- Structuring a Performance Review.
- Whose Development Is It? - A series of three really useful modules.
And there’s a wonderful little energiser that really illustrates the point about underestimating our abilities: Reach for the Stars. One of my absolute favourites!
As always, I welcome any feedback and ideas of your own about how to help people recognise the new skills they've gained. Share your thoughts below, or email me at rod.webb@glasstap.com.
