Two Days of Learning, Reflection and a Few Marshmallows!
When I walked into our two-day Life Class session at school, I expected it to be a regular staff learning session. But by the end of it, I found myself reflecting not just on my work, but also on how I respond to situations in everyday life.
As a Senior School Process Coordinator, my work involves coordinating with teachers, students, parents and different teams. So, many of the concepts we discussed felt surprisingly close to my everyday experiences.
Leadership is more than a designation
We began by exploring the qualities of a good leader. I realized that leadership isn’t only about giving directions or making decisions. It is also about listening, trusting others, taking responsibility and creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas.
Sometimes, instead of thinking “I’ll just do it myself; it will be faster,” good leadership means allowing someone else to take ownership.
Reaction vs Response
One concept that really stayed with me was the difference between a reaction and a response.
If a teacher misses a deadline or a parent sends a difficult email, my first instinct might be to react immediately. But there is a small space between what happens and what we do next.
Pause → Think → Respond.
That pause can change an entire conversation.
The Johari Window
The Johari Window made me think about feedback and our blind spots. Sometimes people may notice things about us that we don’t notice ourselves. I may think I am simply following up on a process, while someone else may experience it differently.
It reminded me that feedback isn’t necessarily criticism; sometimes it is a mirror.
And then came the marshmallow! 🍡
The Marshmallow Test introduced us to delayed gratification and impulse control.
It made me think about how many “marshmallows” we have at work. Sometimes doing a task myself is the easiest immediate option, but trusting someone else with it may lead to better long-term growth. Sometimes replying immediately feels satisfying, but taking a moment to think can lead to a much better response.
Psychological safety and critical thinking
We also discussed psychological safety — creating a workplace where people feel safe to ask questions, admit mistakes, disagree and share ideas without fear of judgment.
And critical thinking reminded me not to accept things simply because “this is how we’ve always done it.” In my role, it means asking: Why do we follow this process? Can it be improved? Is there a better way?
What I took away
These two days reminded me that professional growth isn’t always about learning another process or skill. Sometimes, it is about becoming more aware of how we think, communicate and respond.
From leadership to the Johari Window, from psychological safety to those two little marshmallows, my biggest takeaway was simple:
We may not always control what happens, but we can control what we do next.