The 8ack Approach to Developing People

Comfort zones are directly related to our dreams or goals. In order to grow and change, we must first be discontent with our current comfort zone. To change to a different lifestyle, establishing a business, or succeeding at a challenging project, we must realise that all meaningful and lasting changes occur first in daydreaming, and then they work their way into reality. If we clearly and vividly imagine ourselves being and having the things we truly want, we will create a new picture of ourselves. The old comfort zone, in time, will be unacceptable and we will find ways to acquire the new.

Research (Joyce and Showers 1983) shows that learners that will transfer a new skill into their practice as a result of learning;

theory = 5%
theory, seeing a demonstration = 10%
theory, seeing a demonstration, practice = 20%
theory, seeing a demonstration, practice, corrective feedback = 25%
theory, seeing a demonstration, practice, corrective feedback, in-situtation coaching = 90%

Our approach is not theoretical, nor is it an abstract approach to the development of people; it involves a range of strategies that include practical ‘hands on’ processes addressing the people skills that produce bottom line results. Each skill that participants master, impacts directly on job performance.

Measurable improvements are seen, within the business, as a direct result of the training.

• Step One – Desire

  We were all born with the desire and determination to succeed. For example, from our earliest days we did whatever it took to learn to walk, no matter how many times we fell over, we got up and tried again. And guess what? We succeeded. Human beings are driven by a number of factors, one of the strongest of which is desire.

  The pace of change is moving faster in the 21st Century than ever before. It's not difficult to recognise that we need to 'move with the times' or risk being left behind! However knowing we need to make that change is not enough to make it happen. We must also want to make the change. Armed with the need, want and desire for change we have taken the major first step towards making things happen for ourselves.

• Step Two - Equip

  How many times have we heard the words 'if only I could put an old head on young shoulders'? Probably everything we will ever need to know is 'out there' somewhere - our job is to find it and so often we do this in the most time consuming way through trial and error.

  There is a better way. 'Model' the success patterns of people who have already got the results we want. Life is a journey of learning to develop new skills. First we need to understand new theories. 8ack is committed to uncovering the 'best theories' that equip participants to achieve outstanding results. We aim to be at the 'cutting edge' in the delivery of effective behavioural change training.

• Step Three – Enable

  There are some conundrums about practise. Practise doesn't necessarily make 'perfect' - but it does make permanent! For example, a golfer who continually practices using a poor swing will never reduce their handicap. First, they need a coach to demonstrate best practice. Those new to golf take lessons from a coach, as do the top professionals in the world! In the 8ack world, the word coach has come to mean the 'intervention' which facilitates an individual unlocking their fullest potential. 8ack coaches have a fine reputation for 'making a difference' through their insight and skill of interacting with participants.

  Practise with a coach in a safe environment is essential to enabling development. However, what use is "practice" in isolation if we never use what we know. We cannot spend our life on the practise range - we have to step out onto the first tee.

• Step Four – Empower

  Corrective feedback and in-situation coaching turns theory into strategy and practice into habit. Mission accomplished, we have acquired a new skill and ‘changed’. Putting what we have learnt into practise in a 'live' environment is the next step to making this ‘change’ permanent.

  This 'change' empowers us in two forms and your 8ack coach will help you recognise and use these.

  1. The situation-specific learning from the experience you have had, so you know how best to handle that situation again.

  However, life often throws us ‘fast-balls’ and we are now well prepared to apply our specific learning to new, possibly unexpected, situations

  2. So, by learning how to handle one situation effectively we are armed to handle a whole host of others. Having expanded our comfort zone, many of those situations we previously saw as challenging, pale into insignificance as we move forward and take on ever-bigger challenges on our journey to success!