Admitting and Learning from my mistakes

Tuesday 4th November 2008

"Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom" Phyllis Therous

What a day.

Where do I begin? Sigh.

Well, one Deaf person in particular who had failed before, wanted to do the regulations examination on this day. At first I responded in the affirmative. Then I decided that I should go to the Licensing Office to make an appointment first. So I informed those who were to meet me that we would no longer be going to the Licensing Office. I even spoke to one person's sister about the change in plans.

I was shocked and a bit perturbed when I received a text as I was preparing to go the Licensing Office. Against my will, two of the Deaf told some others to come to the License Office to do the regulations exam. What I should have done was to correct this instance of disobedience but I didn't. I had told them not to come and I had explained why and by not rebuking them, I had allowed them to overrule me.

When I reached to the Licensing Office I asked Mr Ramdass for them to do the exam on that day even though their appointed date had passed. He allowed it. Again, I should not have even consulted Mr Ramdass for them to the exam on that day. What I should have done was to talk to the two persons who told the others to come and sent them all home immediately for their blatant disobedience.

What's more, is that these two persons wanted another Deaf person to write the exam on this day as well. Had I thought before I agreed, I would have made a wiser decision. This was the Deaf man whose sister I had spoken to the day before. As far as she was concerned, her brother was not going to do his regulations exam on this day. Yet I had allowed these two Deaf persons to overrule my authority and I made decisions that were anything but noble. Imagine that one of the two said persons collected this Deaf man from his job and brought him to the Licensing Office to do the exam. This Deaf man was obviously not in the frame of mind to do an exam that he thought was not on this day. His sister was VERY upset.

The most interesting thing is that out of the four persons who did the exam, this Deaf man failed. It was unjust and could have been avoided had I insisted that all should go home because of their disobedience. I MADE A MISTAKE. This was poor leadership on my part and I admit my wrong.

So when we visited this Deaf man's home and his sister was very upset and was not shy in expressing it, I humbly admitted that I was wrong for allowing their disobedience to go unchecked. Well, at least I finally got Colin's learners on that day! I decided not to allow disobedience and impatience to go unchecked again. I think it was my inexperience that allowed this slip to happen. I soon realised that disobedience also reflects a sense of disregard for me and this should not be tolerated. I am learning from these mistakes.

Anyway, that afternoon was the first hairdressing class with Winette. Winette volunteered to teach the Deaf hairdressing and she was very excited to start the class. This first class was a big success. I think the lesson was timely and noteworthy. She taught about Business Etiquette, Personal Hygiene and Safety in the workplace. I interpreted and it was another opportunity to expand my signing vocabulary. Winette went the extra mile and bought some colourful folders to give away. She had a quizz at the end of the class and rewarded the winners with these folders. I was happy about the positive response she received. After seeing the excitement in the girls' faces and eyes, and seeing Colin's face light up when I gave him his Learners, the day's happenings were forgotten and my day ended on a high note.

It was a good day and I embraced the mistakes made.