My Learning Story
Carol Wright
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In 1997 I took a 3 ½ day class from the Sacramento Mediation Center, which was the first step in becoming a community mediator. Before the class, I thought I had good communication skills. There may have been 15 or so people in the class, and we all thought we were pretty good communicators. Together, we learned that the ability to articulate, analyze, and persuade, does not make one a good communicator. Together, we discovered that the key attribute of a good communicator is the ability to listen intently with patience and compassion and without judgment or interruption. The class provided us simple tools and tips that helped us become better listeners. We practiced with each other-- listening attentively and actively--and experiencing the thrill of being heard, understood, and acknowledged by people we'd just met. By the end of the class, students, instructors, and coaches had formed bonds that, in some cases, led to lasting friendships. I dare say that we were all changed for the better. The question that loomed in our minds was this: Why aren't these simple tools provided to every child as part of a standard grade school education? It seemed to us that learning to listen to each other would be a good first step in creating a more tolerant and understanding society.
When I took the training, I was working as a Senior (Financial) Management Auditor for the State of CA. I went on to become a community mediator, eventually left State service, and am now self employed as a Transformation Specialist. Using the very skills I learned during those 3 ½ days in 1997, I facilitate difficult and important conversations for individuals, groups, and organizations.
So, in a nutshell, the learning that occurred in that class:
* Changed the way I view myself and others*Redefined my understanding of good communication
* Helped me get in touch with my passion and life purpose
* Provided me with an entry point to a new career path
The learning that occurred was:
* Experiential* Challenging
* Supportive
* Foundational
* Transformative
* Multicultural
* Interactive