Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks
A few months ago I posted about our “new hire”, Sadie. She’s made it through her probationary period with flying colors and is now a very valued (and much loved) member of the team. We’re all still learning each others needs and preferences, but she and I have agreed that we both love going for long walks.
This weekend we met a friend for a walk. I knew there were water fountains along the way, and figured that Sadie could just drink out of my cupped hands if there weren’t dog-height fountains - so I didn’t bring a bowl with me.
Sadie hasn’t lived in cities before, had no experience with water fountains and didn’t know why I kept putting my cupped hands in her face. I decided to make a bowl for her out of a (clean) poop bag. That didn’t work either. I could see that she was thirsty, but she just didn’t know what to do with a water fountain, wet hands or a bag-bowl. Then I tried putting a treat in the bag-bowl. When she saw a familiar favorite reward floating in the water she didn’t hesitate to stick her snout right in there, eat the treat, and then start drinking.
This got me thinking about how to help people through new experiences. Bringing something familiar into the unfamiliar can be a way to open the door. If you’re asking someone to learn a new skill or tool, how might you highlight similarities with what they’re already using or doing? Rather than leading with *NEW!!* *DIFFERENT!!* could you emphasize the foundational elements of what they’re already doing and how this is simply another progression? “I’ve seen you create really useful documentation using Powerpoint. Miro builds upon a lot of the things you’re already doing so well, and then lets you do a whole bunch of other things. Why don’t you play around with it and see how it works…”
Creating a tie to familiarity and safety can prime the mind for learning and trying new things.
———
Comment 1: I know people are not dogs. And people learning is far more complex than dog learning. But sometimes there are common threads uniting the species.
Comment 2: I remember when I would NEVER post a picture of myself in workout clothes in a business space. Now many of you have seen me in some version of this outfit on calls or out in the world, so I figured why not. Oh how times have changed!