In education, effectiveness is far more valuable than efficiency. At Kairos Academy Pathfinders, we will always strive to live that truth out through the individually-tailored educational materials we identify for students, through the way we interact with parents and leaders in our Academies, and beyond. We know that it is more important to make sure our members get what they need in every experience than it is to save a few minutes in the name of getting more done. Active listening is a key to achieving effectiveness without worrying about efficiency.
The training KAP provides to leaders and parents will do most of our talking, so that when the staff interacts with our members directly we can simply listen. The written, audio, and video training materials will contain straightforward descriptions of our processes and clear instructions on how to use them. The training is meant to set up adult Pathfinders (leaders and parents) for success. However, when an adult Pathfinder finds he or she needs direct coaching from our staff or from area- and regional-level volunteers, it's time for us to listen before we speak.
Our coaches are trained active listeners. Some questions have simple answers. However, when a Pathfinder brings a more complex need, then the coach's first job is to hear what the customer needs. Then, the coach is expected to ask questions in order to draw out the solution to the caller’s concern from the caller. Whenever possible, we want to let the caller discover the answers themselves rather than just being told. This approach accomplishes a number of things that the more “efficient” method of simply giving an answer does not:
- The Pathfinder leaves the interaction feeling heard. That is a huge part of being satisfied with whatever solution they come up with.
- The Pathfinder leaves the interaction having realized they are more capable than they had known before. That person is more likely to go through the process of finding a solution without seeking coaching the next time, having experienced the freeing process of finding a solution rather than simply being handed one.
- The customer has received the very sort of teaching that KAP promotes. There is nothing quite like having what you are called to do embodied for you by others to help you live it out yourself.
- The staff member often learns a new way to solve a familiar problem – a solution uniquely suited to that customer, but perhaps transferable to others of similar temperament, learning style, etc.
Coaching through active listening, a variation on the ancient teaching method of Socrates, is far more effective than training by spoon-feeding the caller the answers the coach has. Each call may take longer, but the benefits to the caller should more than make up for that apparent loss of efficiency. Indeed, the shocking thing about truly effective listening is that it just might end up saving time in the long run, as well as honoring the people involved.
At KAP we understand that truly great Christian education produces wisdom, and that wisdom takes time and effort to cultivate. When faced with a choice between the two we will always strive to choose effectiveness over efficiency. It is that choice that sets us apart from many of the educational institutions of our day–and sets up Pathfinders of all ages for success in life. Whether in relationships, in academic experiences, in business ventures, in ministry, in service, or in any other sphere of life, we help our members meet the challenges of life head on and grow from them instead of looking for the easy way out. Come join the adventure and be a part of something extraordinary.