For any student, a training day represents a break in the ordinary run of things. Standard office tasks are set aside and a person’s desk is abandoned in favor of a new location – often completely off-site – all in the interest of “learning and development.” It is an exciting change, and though there will certainly be some who are anxious to return to their desks, the day is generally greeted with a sense of interest and enthusiasm.
The trainer, on the other hand, is waiting to begin – perhaps still en-route or making sure everything is in order in the training room. He or she has prepared notes, handouts and PowerPoint slides and is awaiting the arrival of the students with a degree of trepidation depending on experience and the importance of the client(s).
How should a trainer approach this mix?
It’s easy to slip into a routine when delivering training. You can regurgitate the same spiel again and again, going through the motions and delivering the material as you have so many times before.
It’s important to remember that this is a special day for your students – perhaps one to which they have been looking forward for months! It might be an important punctuation mark in their career development or teach them skills that will save them time, boost their performance, and lead to raises or promotions.
By focusing on the aspirations and objectives of the students, you can deliver a learning experience that engages them and sticks in their memory – ultimately to the benefit of both you and the learners. It’s about making space for students to participate, engage and learn. Here are five quick tips.
Set the Tone Early
The day should focus on the development of the students, not the expertise of the trainer. Getting off to the right start can help set the tone. Become acquainted with your students: Learn their names, ask them some questions and try to remember a few details about them before the training actually begins.
Encourage Dialogue
The pulse of any training day can be measured by the back and forth between the students and the trainer. By opening up for others to talk and share their insights, the training can be a much richer and more engaging experience. If the training is happening in house, such discussions may have an added benefit as team members have a chance to talk about something they might not ordinarily discuss.
Ask Questions
Resist the temptation to be authoritarian in the delivery of your material. Don’t say, “this is how you do it,” but “what do you think about this?” Take a step back, encourage students to enter into a dialogue about why your approach might work and invite them to actually try putting it into practice.
Stick to the Point
Although atmospheric asides and anecdotes can provide a welcome break in the rhythm of the training day, be wary of obscuring the really valuable learning points – or of boring the students! Stick to your main points, and illustrate each through group dialogue and practical exercises rather than long and rambling monologues.
Focus on Individuals
Each student comes to the training day with a different situation, array of strengths and weaknesses, history, and set of expectations and objectives. Recognize this reality, and offer focused coaching to each member of the group, rather than trying to cover everyone at once. Pick out individuals, and focus on specific points that are applicable to them in a generous and helpful way.
