How's your bedside manner?

You can have all the driving instructor tools and techniques, but if you struggle to communicate with customers effectively, then retention of pupils can be a big problem.  I know this to be true.  I'm still in the game; at least I am when I'm not being locked down.  I've seen what happens when you ignore this problem. 

A few real-life examples I offer in my opening:

A super confident pupil fails his driving test with two dangerous and one serious (and nine other driving faults).  Naturally, he wants you to book him up another driving test, immediately.

After 34 hours of training, this pupil is struggling.  She gets overwhelmed with the tasks, struggles with co-ordination, and it is painful to watch.

A tearful pupil with financial difficulties and low self-esteem wants to go to test.  She is not combative or in denial about her low driving ability, but is desperate to get her driving licence.

The father passes you over a handful of cash, £300.  "That should do it," he says to you "at least that was all I needed."  He turns to look at his 17-year-old son, and the challenge that he sets is clear to all.

He asks to pull the car over and begins to tell you how crap he is.  This pupil has had five attempts at the driving test with others and came to you for a new start.  His confidence is low, is self-belief is in the gutter.  When he makes eye contact with you, he is begging you for help.

You get a phone call from this pupil's mother.  She is hearing from her son that you have reservations about his readiness to drive independently.  He is apparently confused, she is confused, and she wants you to clarify what is going on.

This 34-year-old pupil learnt how to drive at 17, but much has changed.  He is not progressing as he thought he would, given his previous experience.  

While training with this pupil, he cannot see beyond the driving test.  Whenever he makes mistakes (and there are plenty), he repeatedly asks: "But would that be ok on the driving test?"

The mother of this pupil goes on to your social media and posts a stinking review.  She expected her son to have been taught quicker and warns others that you slow down the learning to increase the costs.

This pupil talks a lot.  He wants you to drive away from his home and back home at the end.  He is employing distraction techniques to avoid awkward conversations with you.  The problem is, his Dad has high expectations and is applying tons of pressure on his son to progress quickly.

None of us receives any training on these situations that crop up.  They are not covered in qualifying training or Standards Checks.  

I am putting aside an entire morning this Friday 1/5/20 to discuss scenarios like these.  I offer this interactive zoom webinar for free.  If any participant wants to raise their own situation for discussion, feel free to raise it when prompted.

There is nothing theoretical about this CPD, the benefits to attendees are practical and meaningful.  This is not a classroom debate. 

Tell your ADI mates, tell any PDI's you know - there will be something for everyone here.  

Simply text "help" to 07498364211, and you will be sent the link for the webinar.

Stay safe everyone.