Mental health in the workplace

 

In this blog, I want to touch on how important it is as a driving instructor to appreciate how pressure affects pupils and us.  The reason I include this as standard in BIG TOM driving instructor training is that it is a "silent killer" that occurs in the background, often out of the consciousness of pupil or instructor.  But first, let me explain why this even crops up.

One thing to remember when you are learning to drive (I think I can still just about remember) is what an opportunity it represents.  The freedom it offers, it gives independence, a sense of pride, maturity, and it opens up avenues in employment, further education, social standing, lifestyle choices that otherwise would not be present.  As such, when we as driving instructors work with our pupils, we very often appreciate just how big a deal it is for the pupil to get a full driving licence.  We can see that they know it, and we can sense, even without being reminded, that the pupil is driven, enthused by this incredible opportunity that has entered their life.  Who on earth would want to extinguish hope in the mind of another person?  There is this unspoken force of selflessness that intertwines into our psyche as a driving instructor.  We quite naturally want to do everything that is in our power, to assist our pupil in achieving their goal.  

So it is in that climate that I speak of pressure in this blog.  It is an invisible power that can influence outcomes in training; I particularly refer in my training to the negative influences it can create.  The conflict of maintaining standards while appreciating timescale goals would be one such example.  If you are new to this blog, having never worked with people in a training capacity, I would suggest that it is quite unbelievable how pupils AND instructors can get completely mind blocked to the point of helpless seizure due to the invisible influence of pressure.  

This topic is vital for new BIG TOM instructors to recognise.  Incorporated in our systems of work are what I refer to as "pressure valves" that are designed to detect and release this most unhelpful obstacle to learning.  This is beneficial to pupils and instructors alike.  BIG TOM values paying attention to managing mental health while at work.