One difficulty I've had is to structure explanations in a way that makes
sense. To solve this problem I applied The Berkowitz Interrogative:
"What problem are you trying to solve?"
Every aspect of technology is a solution to some problem. If you
demonstrate the problem first, it makes the solution much easier to
explain. This approach works especially well with newcomers to the
field since they don't have much of a frame of reference to work with.
Only after they understand the problem can they understand the
solution.
I've taken this approach for a while now and have had wonderful
results. I've always held that it pays off to explain the "what" and
the "why" before you explain the "how". :-) That's definitely true for
me. When I first entered the field a few years ago it frustrated me
when my trainer would just give me a task without explaining what I was
doing. He'd say "Telnet into these routers, paste such-and-such config
to them, save it, and move on." He'd then get frustrated when I'd ask
"What am I doing?", to which he'd respond "don't worry about it, just do
it. i'll explain later!" I hate that!!
Now, when I give someone a task I completely explain what we're doing
and why we're doing it before I even get into explaining how to do it.
This approach seems to work well.
Take subnetting, for instance. It seems to me that beginners have
difficulty understanding how to subnet because they have absolutely no
idea why they need to do it in the first place. Once they understand
the issue at hand, the rest of the explanation is much easier.
Okay, I'll stop rambling now. :-)
HTH,
John
>>> "Priscilla Oppenheimer" 5/21/01 12:13:33 PM
>>>
Ask your manager to send you to a class on doing presentations. You
shouldn't be expected to do this without training any more than the
junior
engineers can do their jobs without training. In a training class, you
will
get a chance to practice in a safe environment. You will also learn how
to
handle questions.
A helpful tip is to keep in mind that you are the expert. The students
signed up for the class because they want to learn from you. If they
get
disruptive, the best approach is to stand right beside the disruptive
person so all eyes in the classroom are drawn to him.
To avoid the jitters, stick to decaf! ;-) Good luck!
Priscilla
At 06:37 AM 5/19/01, Rashid Lohiya wrote:
>Hey Guys,
>
>I am a CCNP with 15 yrs of network experience, I am well travelled in
the
>course of my work.
>
>I think I generally know what I am doing, but have great difficulty
>explaining myself to more junior staff.
>
>I can design/configure/troubleshoot networks and create accurate
>diagrams/documents/reports etc.
>
>As I am the Senior in my department, my boss is expecting me to help
train
>the 6 x new trainees/graduates that are in the Network department. I
once
>had to give a presentation and I was shaking and stuttering and I must
have
>seemed insecure and unconfident. I was lost for words and really
stressed. I
>was sweating and confused, I knew the answers to their questions, but
I just
>could not explain to them.
>
>Any tips on how to overcome this?
>
>Rashid Lohiya
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>020 8509 2990
>07785 362626
>www.pioneer-computers.com
>FAQ, list archives, and subscription info:
>http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html
>Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
________________________
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http://www.priscilla.com
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