THOUGHTS ON BEING A GOOD TRAINER / Counselor / Supervisor
Good trainers should:
Responses
I
read those thoughts and they are excellent. I believe what works for me is
the sense of humor and actually reaching the people on their level but you have
already touched on that. I can't think of anything else. Please have
a wonderful week. June NY
I
just want to comment on the importance of a good trainer and the valuable
information you can obtain from a good verses a bad or even average trainer.
I think a trainer needs to be able to do all the things you mentioned,
especially putting in some humor, and keep the interest of their audience
at all times. I also think a person relates more to real life experiences
rather than explanations of how to's and what not to's. Once a person
strays from the trainer, they don't normally return. If the listeners are
involved, engaged, participating, and can relate to the conversation taking
place, the result is definitely better and the enthusiasm to incorporate what
you learned will continue back at the office. The excitement needs to stay
with you long after the event. I also believe the trainer should follow
the KISS strategy, as not to talk over the heads of many in the audience. If
you are not able to comprehend what is being offered, or if there are not easy
and short term ways to get you there, you will not be able to utilize the
concepts learned either. And what a waste of time and effort that usually
is. I have been there before. You don't want to leave a training
with nothing or frustrated and you don't want to look at your watch during the
session.
On another note, I would
like to say I have attended a session of yours and you are a great trainer, very
interesting (not boring) and able to keep the attention and interest of the
audience. The time went by so fast. So why not toot your own horn!
Have a Great Day!
Tammy NY
Get over yourself!! Really...
I'll have to think about the question, and try to be humble when I throw out all
of my best qualities because besides you, I am the best trainer. No snoozing in
my workshops. Being loud helps, but I don't think that is why people stay awake
and actually take lots of notes. They are probably actually doodling and
writing, "bitch" and "boring" under their pics. It would be
interesting to collect everyone's notes at the end of a workshop - unannounced
of course- and see what people perceived to be the learning points. Hmmm...maybe
I WILL do that next week in my Job Search Workshop. Later Mr. Perfect.
A good trainer researches the needs of those participating in the classes or workshops and then looks at the best way to share that information. The ability to remain flexible is extremely important, as we are dealing with people like you and me. Always be ready for the array of emotions that accompany individuals.
If the same curriculum is taught on a consistent basis, it is have the same foundation, but experience change from the new things you learn. If classes are presented to different groups, they should not be cloned versions, but varied in presentation: preventing loss of attention from the participant and burn out of the trainer.
Most of all, a trainer must enjoy the ability to provide enlightenment to others, but must learn from others as well. There is always another side to what you present.
Tony
AK
I am an employment counselor and presently working on my masters degree in
higher education. My goal is to teach at the community college level.
One of my professors at
they know you care". In my 14 years of doing workshops and classes, this
is so true. Just wanted to pass this on.
Keep up the good work. Rhonda Wittmer
What
makes a good trainer, counselor, supervisor?
·
Believe
in and have a passion for what they are teaching. It
will only work, if you believe in what you are teaching.
·
Know
their material well. If
you believe in what you are teaching, you will be educated in that area and
willing deliver that knowledge to your audience.
·
Use
lots of metaphors explaining the materials Paint
pictures with words, so that all in your audience will be touched by what you
are saying. To say one thing, in many ways is helpful.
·
Be
willing to share their personal experiences with the topic. And
(you) yourself.
·
Have
a good sense of humor about the subject and be willing to play. Humor
is a great tool for easing stress. Role playing is great, you can tell a person
how to do something, but they will get a better idea and be less fearful of
using whatever technique you are teaching them, if they during the workshop are
allowed to use it. Being in a group and role playing are helpful.
·
And
most important, keep from ever judging a person. [Patti
McGarvey ]
There are a few things that I feel makes a successful presentation is when you have two people presenting. I have provided many presentation on Social Security work incentive through our grant. ( I don't work for Social Security). I have been fortunate to have a co presenter and we split up the info we are presenting. People have committed on this as being a good way to break up the presentation and they enjoy seeing and hearing two people.
Also we entertain questions throughout our presentations and people like that. What also makes a good trainer is one who will listen and really be there for the audience.
Just
a few things from
I
think a trainer with a smiling, open face is also important. As
opposed to a trainer who, with his facial expression, gives off a
very serious, "all-business" demeanor. A smiling trainer appears
patient and willing to answer questions the class might have. The
serious-face trainer seems like he'll get irritated by questions. I'm not
saying one has to keep a big goofy grin on his face all day, just a pleasant
expression.
Ladd,
Damien CA
A good trainer leads by example, providing the trainer know what he or she is doing. You are correct, all of these concepts can apply to parents, counselors and supervisors.
As a parent we are or should be the rock that child comes to in a time of need. Not always knowing the answer but being there and letting that child know that they can count on you to either provide an answer or look for an answer , then see you through the situation. A trainer should not be one that tells you the solution and then walk away with the expectation that he or she is so good and the answer you just provided has been branded, this sometimes leaves a certain amount of uncertainty in ones mind and often makes an ill impression of the trainer.
Being
a former supervisor for the State of
Just wanted you to know that I was most impressed with your style of motivational speaking. I was thinking maybe this is something I would love to do once I complete my degree in Human Services. (October 2003)
Thanks for keeping in touch.
I read over the 12 items you listed on what makes a good trainer. I totally agree with each one and do my best to practice just that. One thought that came to mind is, I try to get to know the audience and be aware of the different personalities and their knowledge of the subject so that I can relate to each one at their level. Respect everyone in the class is number one for me.
Regarding the qualities that
make a good trainer / instructor / group leader, well here goes. A good trainer,
instructor, or group leader sets the tone of the class or meeting. I believe it
is important to have introductions of everyone and including the leader to break
the ice, just a five minute intro, such as name, what your job is and why you
are in attendance. I believe it is very important to be respectful of each
member and be time conscious because everyone's time is valuable.
Therefore, I believe timeliness is important. I am currently facilitating
a group and I need to pay attention to group dynamics. Some examples include:
Listen attentively, Paraphrase for understanding, Support and affirm comments,
Clarify any misunderstandings, Focus on the topic, and Direct in a
non-threatening way to encourage everyone to participate. I also need to be
faithful to the following leadership skills:
* Be sensitive to the needs of everyone.
* Challenge everyone to growth.
* Set the stage for growth.
* Be a servant leader, not someone who controls.
* Be open and flexible.
* Celebrate.
These are my thoughts on the good qualities and skills for a good leader. By the
way, my group is growing. I hope that means I am on the right track. Thanks and
may you have a great week! Anita Oaxaca, Project Manager CA
We
just had some wonderful training in our agency, the best in a very long time,
and the trainer had all those qualities you list. It is so funny!, because it
was like seeing all the comments I have been making about this trainer in
writing. The one thing I would add is that the trainer could use a lot of
patience! I was one of the ones that missed this, thank you for re-sending it!
OC CA
When
I was teaching at one of the local community colleges I would let the students
know that I would probably learn more in the class than they would and of course
I would get some strange looks! With the abundance of life experiences, cultural
influences, varied work histories and personalities galore I was in a position
to become a sponge and soak it all up. Doing this helped me develop more insight
and become a better teacher.
Sharing personal experiences can be very beneficial if it is done in such a way
that it is perceived as a genuine act of self disclosure. Not that I'm into
shock value, but when I would disclose some extraordinary life events people
took me off the "professor" pedestal and the rapport blossomed.
Laughing at ourselves and being silly in class is a great ingredient for success
too. We learn faster when our brains are oxygenated and laughter certainly does
that!!
Have a great week –
A good sense of humor does not mean you have to be a "stand up" comic or a great "Joke Teller"...it's great if you have that talent, but it's more important that you have humor in the sense that you don't take yourself or the subject matter too seriously.
Bill
Ward MA
I
wanted to respond to your question about what makes a good supervisor (even
though you asked what makes a good trainer.)
I believe a good supervisor doesn't CARE that they are in a supervisory
role (no power trips). In fact, the best supervisor I have ever had, didn't
particularly WANT to be the supervisor. I
prefer a supervisor who will let me know what needs to be done and then will let
me do my job. I expect that they
will follow through with what they say, do things like start meetings on time,
act as they would like us to act (no 'do as I say, not as I do'), be
accessible.... Anonymous
To me
a good trainer is someone who can hold my interest and someone who has real
knowledge of what they are training you in. Also someone who is willing to go a
little extra if a person is having problems understanding the topic of what you
are training. I attended a training of your in