Lyft, D-School and the & Odyssey

Chaplaincy is about really listening to people

• "And the only way we can help people unravel life’s complications is to sit with them in their hurts,
      listen to them and help them explore their options."  - Norris Burkes, Chaplain

What does that have to do with Stanford's D-School?  Today I Lyfted one of their professors. She described a process she uses for her stressed-out, high-achieving, goal-focused students - and not just design students.  The exercise is called an Odyssey where they draft three (hopefully) very different versions of their 5 year plans, then present it to a small group - with rules of engagement.

"They really listen to the speaker and keep the energy on them by asking good questions."  She said.

"That is so interesting, tell me more."  I said while driving her to her early morning workout at Alta Plaza.  It was before 7 am on a rare (these days) foggy morning in San Francisco.

"They ask questions, in a non-critical way - like its their problem and they need it explained to them."

" Oh, can you unpack that a bit?"  I asked.

"OK, it is like this, say a student wants to go and work on a Organic farm in Switzerland...a listening student might say...'Oh, Organic farming.  I am curious what it is about Switzerland that calls you?  I am not sure I understand."  She took a breath.  It was obvious she really liked what she did and was good at it, too.

I said as much to her, too.  She agreed. 

"A teacher is really a holy profession.  You never know what impact you will have on a life or a generation...you just put it out there and hope some of the questions and the good listening helps them 'unravel life's complications.'" 

I said it like a chaplain...but also like a designer because they have to listen well, too.