I was quite fortunate to be able to teach high school for 10 years. My area of expertise was science, but I soon realized that by making myself open to teaching different subjects, I was able to deliver a greater value to the school as a whole. In doing so, I was able to learn a lot of different subjects ranging from Science to Maths to Co-op to Geography to Drama. Yes, DRAMA!
High School Drama – a Lesson in Vulnerability
If anyone knows what ‘tableau’ is, as it relates to the dramatic arts, then you have the best example of being vulnerable. Convincing a teenager to stand before their peers and basically do a series of ‘freeze frames’ to tell a story, and feel good about it, is a challenge to say the least. What I soon learned is that tableaux was a ‘vehicle of vulnerability’ to achieve trust in the classroom.
The Safety Dance
If you think that teaching Dramatic Arts is all about creating actors, you’re sadly mistaken. Arguably, Drama is the most valuable course that a student can take in high school. Why? Drama is all about establishing a safe learning environmentwhich will allow students to take chances. The first 2 weeks of a drama course are crucial in order to institute the respect, maturity and mutual support that is required to allow each student to feel comfortable to:
- try different social masks,
- find their voice,
- develop their non-verbal finesse,
- build self-confidence,
- and the list goes on…
How Does this Apply to Business?
Don’t worry… I’m not suggesting that we do a workshop with your team and make them do tableaux!! 😉
Regardless of what you do in an organization, if you have a workforce that feels comfortable to be vulnerable in a safe work environment, then open communication will lead to RESULTS! Stay tuned for future blogs where we will explore how this can be accomplished.
Let’s chat!
I’m happy to discuss any successes, challenges and areas of need of enhancement that you may have in your workplace. Give me a shout at: 905-481-2734 or email: mike@humanscaffold.com