About Lesson
Walking with someone is about supporting them to come to their own decision in their own way and in their own time. We become a resource for the person in their self-directed solutions. This implies:
- We become vulnerable as we are both giving away power and opening ourselves to the individual asking us questions that we might not want to answer.
- The individual might seek the view of others, including ours, but sharing is not about advising, rather opening doors for further exploration by the individual.
- Our role is to encourage the individual in the progress they are making and to help them make informed choices for which they can be accountable.
- We might prompt the person to look for a greater number of alternatives in coming to a solution or interpretation.
- We will act in a way which gives the individual mastery over their own situation and potentially mastery over new skills and ideas which they can share with others.
- Our commitment is to the individual rather than the resolution of a specific issue.
Our main tool learning to walk with people is that of communication. We will return to this in the second module. However, we might also encourage the person to use techniques such as:
- Alternative solution generation – encouraging the individual to think beyond their initial answers.
- Cost-benefit analysis – what will be the impact of their choices for self and others?
In doing this you will be engaged in hearing the individual’s ‘story’ which is something we will consider in the next session.