Providing feedback to your fellow WIC peers may be the most intimidating part of being a PCS Champion. But with information you’ve taken from this module, along with your supportive PCS spirit, you’re sure to be a motivating force people will want to work with. A key thing to remember is that receiving genuine and supportive feedback is vitally important to improving PCS skills.
Although time can quickly become a barrier to this step in the observation, it should never be skipped. Even if it’s only a couple of minutes, a couple of minutes afterwards is more effective than several minutes done hours later. Use these steps as you practice and create your own mentoring style and rhythm. Let’s finish this section up by watching one of your fellow Champions mentoring a co-worker.
Counselor: Do you have any other questions?
Michelle: No, I think that’s it.
Counselor: Well Michelle, I think you’re going to be a great first time mom.
Michelle: Thanks.
Champion: Thanks for letting me sit in by the way.
Michelle: Yah, no problem.
Counselor: OK. Well let’s go up front and we’ll get your checks.
Champion: So how do you think you did?
Counselor: I don’t know. I was really nervous having you here, but I think I did a pretty good job listening.
Champion: I agree, I have that written down here in my notes. You’re a great listener.
Counselor: Great! (while Mentor chuckles)
Champion: I some other – I have one other thing that I thought you did excellent with. Can I share with you?
Counselor: I’d like that please.
Champion: I thought you did so good at asking probing questions. You were finding out the who, the
what, the where, the why, the when, the how. I thought you were an investigative reporter there for a second. Did you used to do that? (while chuckling)
Counselor: No! (while laughing)
Champion: Yah. And so you did really great and combining that with your listening skills, you were able to find out that she was apprehensive about breastfeeding because she wants to go back to school.
Counselor: Right.
Champion: See, that’s so good. That’s so important. Good job.
Counselor: Thank you!
Champion: I hope you acknowledge that next time, recognize that.
Counselor: I’ll try.
Champion: Yes. Is it Ok with you if I share with you another tip?
Counselor: That’d be wonderful.
Champion: Alright. It’s called “acknowledging their knowledge.” Have you ever heard of it?
Counselor: No.
Champion: Alright. Basically, what it is, is just asking the client what they know about a subject. In thiscase it would have been breastfeeding. You could have said, “tell me what have you heard, what do you know about breastfeeding?” That way they’ll share with you and then you’re on the same page.
Counselor: Right. OK.
Champion: And then you’re on the same journey together when you offer the education.
Counselor: I like that.
Champion: What do you think about trying that out?
Counselor: I like that. It makes sense.
Champion: Alright. Great. Well thanks so much for letting me sit in today.
Counselor: Thank you