You have to see it, to believe you can be it, they say, and in education and careers that is so true. It was brought home to me this week at one of the best inaugural professorial lectures I have attended (and I’ve been to a fair few).
Probably one of the worst photos I’ve ever taken! Apologies Sheryl!
Professor Sheryl Williams, Professor of Engineering Education at Loughborough University in an inspiring and often emotional personal lecture, reminded us all of the importance of being able to see people like ourselves in diverse roles so that we can see the opportunities available to us, and of discovering the dreams of others.
It made me think about how often we fail to ask those who don’t look like us, those who are older, younger, from different backgrounds and cultures, what their dreams are or how we can help them achieve them. In our traditional worlds we are often hidebound by expecting everyone’s journeys to look the same as ours, to imagine our problems will be the same we encountered, but so often that is a very false assumption. Professor Williams revealed the simple truth to effective, successful education – that everyone can succeed if they have someone who will hear them, really listen to the story of their journey, someone who will believe in them and give them the right support. I would add they you can only give the right support if you know what is needed.
Living and working on a boat, we may think that we know everyone’s journeys, that we’re all in the same boat.We know that boating breaks down barriers. Whoever we are, whatever our backgrounds, incomes, genders, or cultures, we are all engaged in sharing the waterways, travelling on boats whether using them for holidays or homes. We all have to navigate locks, negotiate service points and travel slowly.
This week I’ve encountered holidaymakers from London, Florida, Glasgow, and New York. I’ve met boat sharers from the UK, boat owners of all ages (from 23 to 87), and permanent continuous cruisers: single women, couples of various ages and incomes and single men, one of whom has just had a heart operation and is now waiting for a cataract operation. All have narrowboats. I’ve seen some widebeam boats but not had the chance to chat to anyone on board them.
Why am I telling you all this? Well it struck me as a clear way to illustrate that while it might appear everyone is in the same boat, making the same journeys and facing the same trials…but in actual fact the only similarities are that we are all in a similar environment. As far as needs and requirements go, we are hugely diverse.
Discovering what individuals need is something vital to educators, but also to anyone responsible for the success of others: managers, bosses, team members, boaters etc. Watching an elderly gentleman mooring up at a water point, we asked if he needed help. No thanks, he was fine but he obviously appreciated the chance for a chat. Earlier in week I saw a holiday group at a lock and didn’t initially go to offer help because there were so many of them I couldn’t imagine they needed any. As their boat wandered away from the bollard it was (very) loosely looped over, not even tied, and the Skipper almost fell off the back of the boat trying to sort it, I grabbed the rope and reunited boat, towpath and rope. Their skipper was grateful, and glad to discover how to tie a rope so it would hold a boat.
Yet again , boating has delivered me lessons for life and reminded me once again that we should all never make assumptions [that makes an ass out of u and me (ass-u-me)]. Instead, we need to genuinely engage, ask and listen to discover how we can support, whoever it maybe in whatever situation. It’s not always easy but it needs doing.
So as we continue chugging down the Oxford Canal I will ask if people would like a hand, I will ask what support I can offer and I have no doubt I will learn some interesting things from some fascinating people on our journey together.
Pickingupducks 