Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo / doodershop
How many times have you learned about something happening in your program, department, or community and thought to yourself, “Wow, I wish someone would have talked to me before they made that choice”? Now, think to yourself, “How often do I reach out and communicate what I’m working on, my goals, or my thoughts about the big-picture importance of the programs and services that are offered?” Working with others and with a common purpose toward larger goals is one of the biggest challenges any industry faces, and parks and recreation (and specifically youth programming) is no exception.
Far too often, decisions are made without fully considering all of the relevant information. This occurs for several reasons. First, individuals making the decisions may not be aware there is additional information to be had. Human nature assumes that others see the world the same way we do. Even if we “know” that is not the case intellectually, we still operate under this assumption the vast majority of the time. While this might be natural, we frequently move forward with an idea without giving full consideration to the impact it will have on others.
The second reason and the primary focus of this column is that many times we are overly protective of our group and are hesitant to share information outside of a comfortable setting. While there may be several valid reasons why we operate this way, the practice is ultimately harmful to advancing the field and ensuring we have a positive impact on those who participate in the programs.