Direct communication for Approved Driving Instructors

Direct communication enables us, as driving instructors, to communicate effectively and to use language that has a positive impact on our clients. Here are six tips on how not to end up like our friends in the picture.

1. Use language that is non-discriminatory and is appropriate and respectful towards your client. Avoid the usual taboo subjects of sexism, racism, religion. Make sure that the language you use is not too technical or laden with industry jargon that only fellow driving instructors will understand.
2. Clearly state the coaching objective as the goal of the training session and make sure the client understands the purpose of any training exercise and the technique you are using.
3. When delivering or eliciting feedback it must be clear, articulate and when possible, immediate after a training exercise is completed. Try to avoid saving it all up to the end of the lesson.
4. Reframe when needed if the client does not understand and check their understanding. Try to walk in the client's shoes; or use a third party point of view if there is any uncertainty or misunderstanding in what you are trying to communicate.
5. Use metaphors or make an analogy to paint a verbal picture more easily. A famous metaphor, borrowed from William Shakespeare is: 'All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and entrances'. Analogy is a comparison between one thing and another - one that springs to mind is: 'Imagine there was a big beef tomato under the brake. You should brake so that you start to squash it but you don't burst it all over the floor.' I am sure you will have loads of these in your locker.
6. Sometimes we will need to draw the learner's attention immediately to a situation and a change in the tone of voice and body language can add some urgency to your communication.

We often need direct and effective communication when managing risk on the road where it is imperative that your learner understands your language immediately.
If you want to know more then please consider the BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Coaching for Driver Development.
Kind regards
Graham