Everybody needs to be trained to do their job effectively and safely, yet in busy organisations, taking the time out to train can be seen as an imposition. A good trainer accepts this and does their best to impart knowledge. A great trainer rises above this, delivering an immersive experience from which staff emerge with a new sense of understanding and empowerment.
But how do you become a great trainer? Every great trainer demonstrates some fundamental qualities and the harder you work on developing them, the greater your chances of becoming the trainer that you want to be. Take the time to attend some train the trainer courses and the rewards will astound you.
1. Plan.
Always take adequate time to prepare. This not only involves knowing where you need to be and when, but conducting an in-depth training needs analysis with your client prior to the course will let you tailor the course to suit their requirements. Inspect the venue to determine layout opportunities, socket availability and fire escapes, and make plans for dealing with any unexpected scenarios that may occur. Train the trainer courses such as www.collegeofpublicspeaking.co.uk/courses/train-the-trainer-courses will teach you how to prepare for any eventuality.
2. Patience and perseverance.
It is not enough to be patient and to wait for a trainee to understand the knowledge that you are imparting. You need to adapt your delivery to suit the learning style of those in the room. Active listening is vital to understand why somebody is struggling. Always persevere to ensure a successful outcome.
3. Focus and agility.
Group dynamics may be quite complex, depending on the organisation for whom you are contracted and the mix of experience and skills in the room. You must be agile enough to adapt to your audience and maintain their focus, encouraging contributions without unnecessarily shutting down more outspoken individuals. Above all, however, you must maintain the focus of the group in order to deliver the contracted training and achieve the desired outcome.
4. Passion and expertise in equal measure.
You must be a subject matter expert in your field of expertise with extensive on-the-job experience to substantiate your knowledge. You must maintain currency with any changes in the industry, including new regulations and methods of operating and be prepared to handle any challenging trainees who may think that their knowledge is up-to-date than yours.