“Changes in the forms and cultural meanings of work have gone deep during the last decades, with the transient nature of work becoming the norm rather than the exception.” (Bucci and Vanheule, 2019)
IT WASN’T HARD WORK – sitting down with Dad to discuss and write up our interview. It started with voice memos, and a handful of questions. Quickly, the conversation became an extension of our usual exchange: after-school TedTalks and debates in the family lounge room. After growing up in an inclusive setting of moving dialogue and built rapport, it was easy to let Dad pace the room and fire away. Now I ask myself, Did I interview Dad or did Dad, after briefly evaluating my questions, interview himself? Dad is a great storyteller, and I’m always a keen, front-row audience member when he speaks life into his school’s work. For eleven minutes, he bounced off the walls with snappy lessons and rolling anecdotes – most of which spoke to the foundations of effective primary teaching, and the bigger system that houses Catholic education.
My curiosity in people, my active listening, and my commitment to holding space for stories, are values that enabled me to facilitate an interview that I am proud of. With careful attention, it was easy to prepare for a story I already knew well. By recording and naming Dad’s professional values in a way that put them in my face, the interview called me to act on the life I want to live. A nourishing life of purpose, joy, courage, enriched by people and community, and hopefully, eventual wisdom.
I strived to deliver the presentation in a positive, informative and captivating light, that showed the audience insight into the changing cultures of schools. Being aware of, and using core communication skills was imperative to form a coherent story.
Listening is sometimes called “the neglected communication skill”, but it takes energy, skill and effort to be a good listener. Active listening not only makes us better communicators, but can help other people communicate better too. (Baker and Warren, 2015) By listening to Dad – really listening, and showing I was – his passionate, rhythmic answers evolved to hold more weight and truth. I followed up with deeper questions, and he opened up more, especially when talking about the future of Catholic primary schools.
Together, the trust we share and the respect I have for my Dad is inextricably connected to the success of our interview. Additionally, trust and respect are key elements to any relationship, professional or personal, and I hold that information closely. Dad knows I’ve always been fascinated with his work. The evolution of his work-related storytelling began when I was old enough to understand the bedtime tales of “Good News and Bad News” from his school. Maybe I was 6 then. As I grew up, I was brought to the table more and more on bigger issues. By 22, when I visit, we are now in full spreadsheet and seminar mode.
I value the responsibility of carrying and elevating a story, and hoped to achieve this by explaining some of the work Dad does. I will admit, it is very possible that both Dad and I share the same electrifying passion for people and stories. I treat this inheritance as no less than a beautiful gift that I will cherish, and work to develop over a lifetime.
“Human beings, with their capacity for hope and dread, crave to look into the future. This has been a time of momentous change, in politics, technology, lifestyles, and not least in the business world and the world of work. Where is all this leading? What lies ahead? What must we do to cope? We yearn for answers to these questions.” (Collins, 2006)
References
Baker T., Warren A. (2015) Active Listening Can Make Other People Better Communicators Too. In: Conversations at Work. Palgrave Pocket Consultants. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uow.edu.au/10.1057/9781137534187_11
Bucci, F. and Vanheule, S., 2019. Investigating Changing Work and Economic Cultures Through the Lens of Youth Employment: A Case Study from a Psychosocial Perspective in Italy. YOUNG, 28(3), pp.275-293.
Collins, D., 2006. Managing to Change? British Workplaces and the Future of Work – Michael White, Stephen Hill, Colin Mills and Deborah Smeaton. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 44(2), pp.374-376.
internet kid 