1.     Keep it conversational. When you’re new to debriefing, feeling off your game, or finding resistance in your learners (sometimes we just don’t want to be psychologied – not a word, but seemed right in this instance), return to your humanness. Imagine coffee with a friend. How would you start those conversations? How would transition from one topic to the next? How would you listen to understand a friend’s problem and not just to solve it? Especially when it’s new(er) learners, my primary goals are often limited to (1) providing a space of safety for learners to be bold and vulnerable, (2) supporting a conversation in which all parties contribute, and (3) identifying at least one moment where some honest reflection occurred. If I hit those high points, even if my questioning was ineloquent or my phrasing awkward, it’s a win for me.

2.   Don’t be scared to go “off-script.” If you’re lucky, you’re entering the debrief with clearly defined objectives and a solid understanding of what the key learning points are. (If not, that’s another blog…) Structure gives us confidence to lead and allows us to organize our thoughts into a cohesive conversation. It can also stifle our ability to explore WITH our learners. At the end of the day, this experience is about their learning, not our box checks. So, if you find a learner taking the conversation into a different but valuable place, go with it. It’s possible their personal experiences allowed them to gain something from the simulation that, while wasn’t intended, was more beneficial to their personal growth than what we originally defined.  

3.   Stay present. Undervalued! You cannot debrief if your head isn’t in the game. Well, you can, but you’re going to short-change your learners and frustrate yourself. I’ve seen debriefers  – & fallen victim to  – putting so much mental effort into formulating the right AI (advocacy-inquiry question) that they/we completely lost sight of the learners in the discussion. Similarly, I’ve been part of debriefings where the debriefer was so concerned with their text messages, grocery list, or afternoon plans that it set the tone for the entire experience and moved everyone into “just get it done” mode. We all have off moments, off days, off years… But, most of the time I know when I’m going to be debriefing. I can make a point to take small but vital steps to get my head in the game. It can be as simple as refilling water, taking a bathroom break, and intentionally reviewing my notes, or it can be more complex with certain music to set the tone, a small meditation to clear your head, and a favorite snack to get pumped up. (I did this as a lecturer, too. I had an unusual, but effective for me, pre-game ritual.) Do what’s right for you. Just do it with intention.  

With more than 50+ hours of formal simulation training, I’m still new(ish) to the field and constantly practicing the more formal techniques, trying to determine how to make them feel and sound natural in conversation. In the meantime, I’ll keep working to bring an authentic, empathetic, non-judgmental voice to the debrief room. 

Now, in just a few words, tell me how you’re feeling after this experience… 😉