The key to success

Understanding what each other is saying

• Jargon
• Concepts not easy / intuitive
• Just because we are talking in English (mostly!), we expect to be understood and to understand
• Both sides need to continually check that they are communicating.

• Try to understand how people’s minds work
  • Visual (ropesight)?
  • Numbers?
  • Musical ear?
• Communicate on their terms
• Be prepared to let others explain

Written communication

Atmosphere

• Confidence - who’s likely to do better, second time round?
• Your problem is that you just don’t seem to be able to get your bell in position. Every time you get to the front you plough into -3rds place...
• OK, so you clearly know what you’re trying to do, and you’re just being held back by a bit of bell control. It’ll probably be better if you just RELAX - but just let’s check your rope length...
• Nobody appreciates being told what they’re doing wrong - they often know already!
• The tutor’s job is to spot the problems, but to pass on the solutions
• Resist commenting until you have something positive to offer
• Look for & praise the good bits

Two way communication

Requirements for a tower captain

• Excellent communicator
• Multi track mind
• Mind reader

• Let your TC know what you want to do
• Say if you don’t understand
• It’s not just learners who get frustrated!

Brain power

• Would you explain to a learner driver how to change gear when going round a busy roundabout?
• Back seat drivers are a liability!

Bell handling

• What’s the rope for?
• Feed back from the rope is communication in its own right

Discussion Time

• Jargon
• How different minds work
• Written communication
• Atmosphere
• Two way communication
• Brain power
• (Bell handling)