For the first day of Cadre Camp XVII, Bill laid out the rules for how the camp would go and how this would permeate the culture of the entire program. It was explained as purposely get out of your comfort zone, have “hard fun”, and to not be cool and reserved.
The last rule resonated deeply with me. By nature I’m a “back of the class” learner. I learn best by observing and analyzing the responses around me, and I am never one to respond first to a question. As we moved into our first group activity, I internalized this idea of having fun and not worrying about ego or perfection. This led to me recommending ideas I would have otherwise kept in my head and thus becoming “creative director” (team members term—not mine) of the video project. The result was that I was not only leading the group but also doing so in such a way that they responded positively.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that we have permission to act freely and that boundaries only exist where you allow them to manifest. Additionally you, as an instructor, have the opportunity to guide the culture of a program/course/training/learning experience by directing ideals (not to be confused with rules/restrictions). Verbalizing them early in a program can lead to them being utilized in something as simple as the first activity. In essence you are unshackling students from their prior learning experiences and multiplying potential, possible latent, outcomes.
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