Oh, role-plays! That moment after a fantastic training session on call handling skills, or feedback techniques when you're all pumped up with new knowledge, ready to conquer the world... until you hear those words: "Let's role-play." Suddenly, the room feels ten degrees colder, and your newfound confidence starts to wobble. You pair up, and bam! Your partner transforms into the most demanding, unrealistic customer or the most unhelpful teammate imaginable. Any attempt to apply your fresh insights is met with over-the-top objections. You leave the exercise feeling like you've been through a blender—ego bruised, confidence dented, and vowing never to use those techniques in the real world.
But wait, there's a plot twist in this tragicomedy of role-plays! What if the whole experience was more about the journey than the destination? Imagine a world where role-plays are less about winning or losing and more about exploring and experimenting. This is where the concept of the "Infinite Game," coined by Professor James P. Carse, comes into play. In this game, there's no final victory; the purpose is to keep playing, to keep learning. The role-play becomes a playground, not a battleground, where mistakes are not just allowed but welcomed as part of the learning process.
Coincidentally, this concept mirrors a point made by Sensei Jesse Enkamp in a video "Why Sparring Is DEAD." Jesse talks about the martial arts world, where sparring sessions sometimes escalate into unnecessary roughness, leading to injuries and setbacks. The parallel with our role-play woes is striking. Just like in martial arts, the essence of role-playing should be about being playful, allowing each other to fumble, learn, and then try again, all within the same safe and supportive environment.
In summary, it's time to reframe our view of role-plays. Let's take them from dreaded to anticipated, from ego-bruising to skill-boosting. By setting the right tone, embracing the infinite game mindset, and learning from the playful approach of martial arts sparring, we can transform role-plays into powerful tools for growth. So next time you hear "Let's role-play," maybe, just maybe, you'll crack a smile and dive in with enthusiasm, ready to play, learn, and grow.