Training Tips: Eleven Rules for Effective Training

By Karen Susman

Ralph recently signed up for a training class on leadership. The instructor had numerous degrees. For two hours and fifteen minutes of the two and a half hour session, the instructor gave the history of leadership. He elaborated on diverse leadership styles of different primitive tribes. The instructor even revealed the derivation of the word "leader."

Ralph reports that during the last fifteen minutes of the session, the instructor finally gave some tips on how to be a more effective leader. He apologized for not having time to practice what he preached or to answer questions, but he made his email available. Ralph's evaluation wasn't as glowing as the instructor's résumé.

Like our multi-degreed instructor, you may know your material backwards and forwards, but that's not enough. You must engage your trainees. You must provide practical information that they can use immediately. Here are eleven ways to glow as a trainer.

1. Three for one rule: For each objective or point you want to make, have three different activities or methods planned for getting it across. You may not use them all, but if one approach doesn't work or doesn't work with all trainees, you have back-up and reinforcement ready.
   
   
2. Two times rule: Every activity will take twice as long as you planned. This is especially true for the first time you try an activity. Factor this doubled time into your agenda.
   
   
3. Fun rule: Adults learn better when they are having fun. Give participants permission to play. The degree of fun should match the seriousness of the topic, but there's room for fun in every training.
   
   
4. Priority rule: During your planning, prioritize your activities according to Must Do, Should Do, and Do If You've Got Time.
   
   
5. Modeling rule: Use your own behavior early on to set the stage for positive, interactive, effective training. Exhibit your humor, participation expectations, and respect for diverse people and ideas.
   
   
6. Teaser rule: Build interest by advertising coming attractions. For instance, "After the break, you'll get three cutting edge ideas for being a dynamic leader."
   
   
7. Impact ending rule: Do your summary and evaluation and then end with a culminating activity that nails the goals of your session.
   
   
8. Visualization rule: Have trainees visualize how they will use a skill. Actually lead them through visualization where they see themselves using the skill, encountering obstacles, and finding solutions. Participants can then share their visualizations with each other.
   
   
9. I-don't-want-to-be-here rule: When a group is resisting or hostile, have each person list twenty reasons why he or she shouldn't be at the training. The reasons can be rational and goofy, but they must list twenty. Read the lists aloud. This acknowledges and airs the concerns of participants and lightens the atmosphere.
   
   
10. Commitment rule: Ask each person to pick one or two ideas to implement within the next 24 hours. Early, easy success promotes retention and continued success.
    
    
11. You show me yours rule: Adults want to share their experiences and learn from each other. So give participants plenty of opportunity to solve each other's dilemmas.
    

Your job as a trainer is not to wow your trainees with your expertise. It is to guide them to be more effective and confident in your topic when they walk out of your classroom than when they walked in.

Karen Susman, Speaker/Author/Coach, works with organizations and individuals that want to maximize their performance and quality of life. Check out her free tips and articles at www.karensusman.com. Karen can be reached at 1-888-678-8818 or karen@karensusman.com.

Published in Networking Today, April 2006.