Monday, June 29, 2009

Soft Skills

It seems to me that in the experiential learning field, facilitators are often hired for their "hard skills." In other words, they're hired because they possess specific, concrete knowledge--for example, rock climbing, orienteering, wilderness first response certification, and ropes course experience.

It is certainly understandable that program directors would seek these skills in potential new hires, but it seems to me that "soft skills" -- such as active listening, motivational interviewing, and an understanding of the neuroscience behind learning -- are equally important in a facilitator. In fact, it seems to me that these soft skills are vital to assure that experiential programming achieves it full educational or therapeutic potential.

If I was going to teach a soft skills course for experiential facilitators, this would be my reading list:

7 Kinds of Smart, by Thomas Armstrong
An accessible and easy-to-read introduction to Multiple Intelligences theory, this book will help broaden your perspective on what “smart” means.

The Art of Changing the Brain, by James Zull
This book is an easy to understand introduction to the neuroscience of change. It is packed with practical ideas that’ll change the way you facilitate!

Becoming Naturally Therapeutic, by Jacquelyn Small
Considered a classic in the substance abuse field, this book explores how to empathize without enabling, care without controlling, and help in a genuine spirt of giving.

Brain Rules, by John Medina
This book explores how the brain sciences can influence the way we teach, work, and live, including neuroscience basics and practical ideas for putting this knowledge to use.

Changing for Good, by James Prochaska, John Norcross & Carlo DiClemente
These authors created the stages-of-change model, an evidence-based approach to creating change. This book presents that model stripped of clinical jargon.

Motivational Interviewing, by William Miller & Stephen Rollnick
This book presents an evidence-based approach to overcoming ambivalence. Not the easiest read around, but definitely worth the effort, especially if you work with clinical populations.

The Primal Teen, by Barbara Strauch
If you work with teens, this book is a must! In this book, Strauch looks at adolescent brain development in an entertaining and readily accessible manner.

The Processing Pinnacle, by Steven Simpson, Dan Miller & Buzz Bocher
This book presents a practical model for processing that will help further develop your skills at processing.

Processing the Experience, by John Luckner & Relden Nadler
A classic text in the experiential education field, this book is filled with both good theory and practical ideas. It is currently out of print, but fairly easy to find online.

The Resilient Self, by Steven Wolin, M.D. & Sybil Wolin, Ph.D.
An accessible book on fostering resiliency in yourself and others, by founders in the field.

Do you know of a book that should be included on this list? Let me know!