Top 10 Training Don'ts From Someone Who Knows
I have participated in quite a few training programs over the years. I have been fortunate enough not to have any that I found disappointing. Not everyone is so lucky. Starting on a new entry level job is always scary, and training classes can be stressful, especially when they're poorly managed. Maneeza Aminy, client support manager of training for Advent Software, in her article, Your Top 10 Training Mistakes, says that often the culprit in disappointing training programs is none other than the trainer himself.
Aminy lists the primary reasons many training programs fall short of the intended mark from the lowest to the highest - a la David Letterman.
10. If I can't hear you, I will stop listening.
9. Don't set the expectation of failure. In other words, don't walk in the door making excuses if you know you'll be teaching under less than ideal conditions. "If things are not going great, but you're doing great with what you have, that speaks very loudly," Aminy says.
8. Who is in charge? YOU are! There's usually at least one person in every training class who tries to steal the show. A strong, confident trainer will know how to nip this in the bud in a way that earns the respect and cooperation of the entire class.
7. You lead the materials; the materials do not lead you. Here Aminy is talking about trainers who become so dependent upon teaching aids like PowerPoint presentations that they lose the classes attention to the teaching aids.
6. You are a piece of moving art - enjoy it. Again, Aminy stresses the importance of keeping the students engaged - preferably on the trainer. Anything that distracts their attention from the trainer, like playing with something in his hands, focusing entirely on her PowerPoint presentation, or being dressed inappropriately will hinder the students' ability to focus on what the trainer is trying to teach.
5. Neglect your audience, and they will reciprocate the favor.
4. If you are in doubt, don't downplay your own training. "Be confident in your own abilities," advises Aminy. "You're in front of a class for a reason." Another good piece of advice she gives is admitting to not knowing something, then making an effort to learn the answer before the next class. This, Aminy says, sends the message to the students that they aren't fogotten the minute they walk out of the class.
3. Inflexible? Prepare to break. Don't let unexpected changes ruin the whole class. Make the necessary adjustments and keep going. Trainers who are unwilling to adapt to the needs of their students, will fail to effectively teach them what they need to learn, Aminy warns.
2. Ask for feedback, then act on it. this is one of the most important things for a trainer to remember, Aminy says. "Don't be insecure about your training skills; be open to learning new methods," she recommends. "Just because you teach, that doesn't mean you stop learning." Acting on students' feedback also gives them a sense that they matter.
1. If you don't care about what you are teaching, leave it to those who do.
Confident, competent, positive trainers who make it a point to interact with their students do far better than trainers who do one or more of the things on Aminy's list of training don'ts.
Training classes are a part of company onboarding programs, so it's essential to ensure that new hires receive the best possible introduction. Keeping in mind that the students are nervous, too, might help trainers to relax a little themselves and really enjoy teaching their new colleagues everything they need to know to become great employees.
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