When it comes to working with people and their problems getting the pace right is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do, but do it we must. That is because if we are going too slowly we may miss opportunities to move forward – for example, ‘missing the boat’ when someone is in crisis and motivated to make important changes. If we move too swiftly, we may create (or exacerbate) insecurity and anxiety and thereby hamper progress in terms of whatever need we are trying to meet or problem we are trying to solve. So, how do we judge what is the best pace? There is no hard and fast rule, but mainly it comes from looking closely at the situation, gauging reactions to our input and picking up the clues about how comfortable or otherwise the person(s) involved appear to be. Difficult though this may be, it gets easier with experience, provided that we stay tuned in to the need to consider pace as an important feature of our efforts to help.
Neil Thompson’s Lessons for Living – Find the right pace
Related Articles
- 60 online courses for less than £2 each
The Avenue Subscription Service gives access to 60 online courses for up to 300 people, but is now available to individual subscribers at just £118.80 per annum, less than £2 per course. Visit www.NeilThompson.info/subscription-service/ to find out more
- Neil Thompson’s Lessons for Living – Find the right pace
When it comes to working with people and their problems getting the pace right is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do, but do it we must. That is because if we are going too slowly we may…
- ACAS Code of Practice on requests for flexible working in the UK
Flexible working involves making a change to when, where or how an employee works. Some form of flexibility can be built into almost all jobs, regardless of the organisation’s size or sector. When considering flexible working, it’s best to start…
- Activity Alliance – About us
Activity Alliance is the leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity. Established in 1998 as a national charity, we were previously known as the English Federation of Disability Sport. It is not right or fair that disabled people…
- Do autism researchers focus on things that autistic people want them to?
Millions of pounds are invested every year in research on autism, yet few of these projects actively seek to include autistic people in their design phases. Many scholars and activists have called for more participatory approaches, arguing that there is a…
- Connect with Neil online
Connect with Neil online