Winning Mind Training

  • Home
  • About
    • About Winning Mind
    • Testimonials
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Courses Listing / Calendar
    • Training Schedule
    • Course Descriptions
      • Dare to Be Great: Strategies for Creating a Culture of Leading
      • The Heroes Path to Excellence in Law Enforcement
      • Excellence In Training
      • Performance Enhancement Imagery
      • The Pursuit of Personal Excellence
      • Lessons From Life’s Most Powerful Question
      • Ground Fighting and A.C.E. Edged Weapons Defense Instructor Course
      • PPCT Defensive Tactics / HFRG Use of Force Instructor Course
  • Resources
  • Contact Us

June 12, 2019 By Brian Willis

As frustrating as it is….

It can be frustrating when people in your course want to challenge almost everything you are teaching and seemingly want to argue about almost all of the principles and concepts you are presenting.

As frustrating as it can be, the key is to step back, take a breath and reframe the experience through self reflection questions.

Why are they pushing back? Is it because I am challenging the way they think? Is it because I am encouraging them to think differently? Is it because they have strong beliefs, which are being challenged by this material? Is it because we all have a tendency to push back against change? Is it because they believe I am suggesting they are doing something wrong?

Why am I getting defensive when they challenge me? Is it because they are challenging me to step up and articulate what I believe what I believe? Am I defensive because I now have to articulate my justification for what I am teaching? Is it because I am taking their challenge of the ideas, principles and concepts personally?

It sucks that they seem to want to argue and challenge me on so many points. What’s Important Now? Follow your own advice Willis – Embrace the Suck and Look for the Good. It is good that they are engaged and willing to challenge these ideas. It is good that they care enough to challenge and ask for an explanation. It is good that I have to step up and articulate the research, evidence, personal experience and experiences of others that have lead me to these beliefs.

As Victor Frankl said, “There is a pause between stimulus and response.” It is good that I get to practice breath control and emotional control and utilize the pause between stimulus and response. It is good that I have an opportunity to acknowledge the validity of their questions and challenges. It is good that I get to ask them questions to explore their beliefs and experiences. It is good that I have the opportunity to practice the philosophy, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

It is good that I now have the opportunity to use different examples and explanations to explain what I am teaching. It is good that the debate is an opportunity for everyone to think, reflect, engage and grow. If I cannot articulate the my position in a manner that makes sense to them emotionally and logically then I need to learn more and grow more. If I cannot explain the benefits and advantages to them in a way that makes sense to them, then I have more personal work to do.

I can get frustrated, pout, lash out, shut down or respond in some other less desirable manner or, I can focus on What’s Important Now?, Embrace the Suck, Look for the Good and Dare to Be Great. Either way it is a choice.

I have had the opportunity a couple of times in the last few months to practice this reframe during some five day Excellence in Training Courses. Is it Simple? Yes. It is easy? No. (Simple is the lack of complexity and Easy is the lack of effort.) Is it worthwhile? Yes.

Take care. 

Brian Willis 

Winning Mind Training – Dedicated to helping good trainers become great trainers and great trainers to deliver awesome training.  

The Excellence in Training Academy – Where trainers come to grow. Join the Community of trainers committed to the pursuit of excellence in and through training.  Use the code eitblog to get the first month’s membership (individual or training unit) free. 

Interested in hosting an Excellence in Training Presentation, Seminar or Course? Contact to me at winningmind@mac.com and we can work together to determine what will best suit your needs. 

EXCELLENCE in Training Academy Black

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit

Related

Filed Under: Blog

Subscribe To Our Blog

Sign up to the Winning Mind Training blog to receive new articles, tips and posts directly to your email inbox.

Excellence In Training Blog

  • My biggest regret as a trainer. January 12, 2021
  • Have you actually trained them to turn on their body worn camera? January 5, 2021
  • We must. You must. December 29, 2020
  • Are you preparing them for their future, or your past? December 22, 2020
  • Remind them that they are not elevators. December 15, 2020

Contact Winning Mind Training

Address:
246 Stewart Green S.W., Suite #2486
Calgary AB. Canada. T3H 3C8

Phone: 403-279-5954

Email: winningmind@mac.com

Connect With Us

  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Winning Mind Training is a proud member of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. To get more information and to find out how you can become a member of the Chamber of Commerce go to www.calgarychamber.com

Events

  • Leadership Lessons from Life's Most Powerful Question - 26th Annual FCJEIA Graduates Training Session
    • Tuesday, Apr 27, 2021 - Wednesday, Apr 28, 2021
  • Excellence in Training Course - Okotoks, Alberta
    • Monday, May 31, 2021 - Friday, Jun 04, 2021
    • Okotoks
  • PPCT Threat Pattern Recognition Use of Force Instructor Course - Calgary
    • Monday, Jun 21, 2021 - Friday, Jun 25, 2021
    • Calgary

Copyright © 2021 · Winning Mind Training