I’ve really enjoyed my time facilitating and training experienced co-workers. It’s a great opportunity to share some of my stories and given me some time to focus on really refining some skills and deepening my knowledge as a coach and facilitator. I’ve learned some important lessons that future trainers or coaches may benefit from.
A day of successful training should leave you with that satisfying yet slightly exhausting feeling. Presenting, facilitating and responding to the needs of the class take energy and students respond well when you demonstrate your own passion for it. Putting this energy into all your sessions will take its toll and makes you susceptible to falling ill. For my first two training courses, I fell ill immediately the week after and I’ve noticed this same cycle with the other trainers.
Find your sustainable pace by understanding your own limits, getting enough rest, and spending enough time on yourself to recharge. The alternative of a lethargic, sick, trainer running a class is definitely not effective.
Learn about learning
Training experienced hires brings a different dynamic compared to those straight out of college or university. The vast array of backgrounds, different working experiences and varying degrees of openness to the material requires a more versatile approach to the material. Understanding everyone’s different learning styles, and understanding different models equips you with better techniques to help everyone in the class learn.
Learn about things like Shu Ha Ri, the four stages of competence, Visual-Auditory-Kinaesthetic approaches, Kolb learning models,
Avoid sticking to the same training technique (such as lecturing) as it gets boring (and ineffective) very quickly.
We work as a team of Subject Matter Experts (SME) and trainers with a background in training. Each role brings different aspects and understanding how to bring out both during a session is important. Respect the trainers that bring with them a plethora of training techniques, and (more likely) a deeper understanding of learning models. Respect the SME who brings the material to life with their own personal stories and (more likely) a deeper understanding of the material and its relevance to the real world.
Find ways to work together and to be able to support each other during a session. Use special signals or cues to allow seamless flows between each trainer.
Become aware of your own biases
I think it’s important to separate what people say, and how you feel about it. An important part of facilitation and training is ensuring everyone is listened to. Immediately reacting to a student’s comment doesn’t do this and the level of participation will drop off. Encourage contributions by first acknowledging their comment – “What I hear you say is … Is this correct?” Separate the observation from the evaluation.
Read the book on Non Violent Communication as it explains it much better than I do.
