"I Feel Like You Are Trying to Trick Us"

Yesterday morning I spoke to a class of sixth graders and yesterday afternoon I spoke to a class of seniors. Since my talks are done virtually, it can be difficult to get the students involved in the discussion. The last thing I want to do is consume the entire amount of time by speaking.

I started out each talk with the same line of questioning, "what do you expect to get from our time together?" This helps frame my talk of the importance of setting expectations in your life, starting with me as a speaker taking away your normally scheduled class time.

After the Senior class gave me three expectations (in this case it was: 1. Learn something new 2. How to Engage an Audience and 3. Be real) and before I gave them my expectations, I told them what I didn't expect.

"I don't expect you to pay attention" I said. Then followed it up with a question, "does anyone want to share why they think I don't expect you to pay attention?"

One of the girls, said, "it feels like you are trying to trick us by saying you don't expect us to pay attention when you really want us to pay attention." I was so impressed with her courage and honesty. Over the next few minutes we talked about who's responsibility it is to learn. My point was I have to earn your attention and not expect you to pay attention. Anytime you are in a learning situation, the burden of responsibility is on the one transferring the information.

It was a fantastic exchange and she understood I wasn't trying to trick them. I even asked her, "isn't it sad that over your school years you've felt like teachers were trying to trick you?" She agreed.

Reveal your heart when engaging an audience and even if what you say sounds like a trick, they'll see your true intention and know it's not.

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