Week 37: INTRODUCTION – From Mechanical Approach to Purposeful Approach

Nothing in training is an empty formality. When any training program begins, it is customary that the trainers and the trainees get introduced to each other/s. When the trainer introduces himself/herself, most of the times, all the trainees will remember the name of the trainer and the contents of brief introduction. But when it comes to introduction of trainees, many do not pay equal attention. Nobody listens to the name and background of the trainee who is introducing himself/herself. Generally one of the trainers handles this ‘Session of  Introduction’. Said trainer moves to each of the trainees and asks to introduce himself or herself. 

The question for consideration here is:

At the end of this, if someone asks the said trainer to recognize all the trainees by name  will the trainer be able to do so?

What about the other co-trainers?

What about the trainees?

If the training is organized for a group of trainees from different places, usually those from one place may recognize the other/s from the same place. But that is not the point for consideration here.

Who amongst all (trainers, trainees) immediately after the ‘Session of Introduction’ can recognize each one by name, and brief background of each?  

If none can do it why is this empty formality being followed in every training program consuming not less than 20-30 minutes?

IMPORTANCE OF SESSION OF INTRODUCTION

1. One can learn how impressively one can introduce oneself so that the others never forget him/her.
2. How does one use his voice, tone , confidence while giving self introduction?
3. How first impression can be created?
4. How important one feels when some one respectfully  introduces him/her/addresses  him/her by name? “Introduction is the starting point of connection between two  or more individuals.”
5. Trainer will get a cue on the level of confidence of each of the trainees, within 30 seconds, taken by each for self-introduction.
6. Mediation and Mediation training being a team work, it is important to know each other by name for effective co-ordination. 

ICE BREAKER FOR ‘SESSION OF INTRODUCTION‘

(Let us assume there are twenty persons including the trainer and the trainees)

Instruction by trainer: 

I will introduce myself and pass on the mike to the person standing next to me. The next person introduces himself or herself and also the previously introduced person, and passes on the mike to the next person. The chain continues. You can go near each of them while introducing.

• All the trainees and the trainers stand in a line next to each other.
• First, a Trainer introduces himself/herself and passes on the mike to next person.

Example: I am Susheela. (mike is passed on)

• The second person introduces himself/herself, and introduces the one who had introduced earlier.

Example: I am Uma, She is Susheela.

• The third person introduces himself/herself and introduces the first two also.

Example: I am Raju, she is Ms.Uma, and she is Mrs. Susheela.

The process continues till the last person in the line introduces himself/herself and introduces all the 19 who were introduced earlier. The twentieth person should tell all the names including that of Susheela who had introduced herself as the first person.  Thus the chain should get completed.

Trainer can call upon any trainee who can introduce all the trainees. Such trainee may be rewarded as a token of appreciation. (Even a big round of applause can work)

Advantage of this exercise

1. Trainees will work on their retention capacity and attention span when they come to know on their own that they are unable to remember 3-4/5-10 names.
2. They learn the importance of focus.
3. Trainers will also know that ‘nothing in training can be done by the trainers without there being a purpose’. They will also work on focusing, and increasing the capacity of retention.

De-briefing

Trainer can give debriefing on the following lines:

1. Some could not remember the names either because the person who was introducing did not invite the attention of others and introduced himself/herself. Maybe the introduction was very passive and impressive.
   Or
   Because the other person/s did not pay attention to the person who was introducing.
2. While introducing others, using forefinger is to be avoided. Open hand gesture is a respectful gesture.
3. Some could not remember because they did not give command to themselves to  remember the names.
4. Some could not remember because they did not find it important to remember others’ names.
5. In actual mediation it is necessary to remember the names of parties, advocates, third parties as the same will help in trust building process. This exercise is a small step in developing that skill.
6. First lesson in humility.

CONCEPT MESSAGE

Adults retain such information only which they feel as important.     

The same exercise can be  repeated after 2-3 days, and trainer can find out whether different result are seen.

“ One cannot demonstrate humility. It should be part of one’s life”.

Slamw

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                                                                                                                                    S.SUSHEELA

(All Copyrights reserved by the author S.Susheela)