I think being attuned to your audience or the other parties
is so important and then I guess how can you tell if the metaphor you're using, for
instance, they're understanding it and they're accepting your idea.
>> Well, you have already given the key word.
The key word is to stay attuned.
And how do we do that?
In SSLD, we're looking for specific behavioural markers
when people can extend on your metaphor,
>> Mm-hm.
>> That means they have got the idea, or they can elaborate on it, or
they can give you similar examples.
After, say for example, you have worked
with 12-year-olds, with an apple, and
then you bring in something else now and ask them, what is this ?
If they can tell you a different way of classification,
then you know that they have got the idea.
Say for example, after you've taken in the apple,
and then you say you are bringing a cat and ask people, what is this?
It's a cat, what is a cat?
And then people can say well, it's an animal or it's a pet.
And then you can ask, so can the cat be something else?
And if they can answer,
if someone can tell you,
the cat can actually be a guide,
be a therapist, or the cat can be a teacher,
or the cat can be part of your decor.
The cat can be your message to your customer about how this space is
an animal friendly space.
Then you know that these students are getting the idea.
So you stay attuned, you're looking for extension of your idea or
specific application of it, elaboration.
And sometimes, especially in the pedagogical or educational setting,
you can actually ask people.
What is the idea that you have got?
This skill of clarification actually works both ways, and
this is something that we encourage in communication.
Sometimes you would just say to the other person that I just do not want to
misunderstand you, so I'm going to tell you what I've heard from you
is that what you are saying to me. That it's like seeking clarification and
confirmation.
Sometimes you can be doing the same.
Yeah, I just want to make sure that we're on the same page,
I have talked about this, can you tell me what does that mean to you?
Does it make sense or because we don't want to be asking this
question that can be taken as questioning or sometimes can be,
some people can take it as humiliating question,
you're thinking I don't understand you or I'm not following.
Instead of, do you understand?
or repeat to me what I have told you,
this is sort of a more didactic top down approach, we would be asking
what do you think of it?
Does it make sense to you?
How does it make sense to you?
Or sometimes to make the other party feel better,
I've told you, do you see something wrong with this or
what aspect of it you like better?
So, you can be asking questions like that to get direct feedback from the other
person.
