In almost every industry, training and continuing education are critical to the success of employees and organizations alike. A mediocre trainer tells staff what to do, a better trainer explains how to do things, but a great trainer inspires employees to be their best. What does it take to become a great and inspirational trainer in today’s workplace?
The Same Old Playbook Doesn’t Work
One of the most important tasks for the trainer is to continually learn current, relevant and trending information that their staff need to improve their skills and the workplace as a whole. Along with staying on top of new information, the trainer also needs to engage in his or her own self-improvement. Rooting out older and less relevant material is a must as is improving one’s organizational skills and delivery.
Focus on Content While Instilling a Love of Learning
A great trainer knows their stuff. Seventy percent of teaching involves deeply knowing the material. The other 30% is all about one’s passion for delivering it. Staff need to know what they need to know, but it shouldn’t stop there. A great trainer inspires employees to continue searching and learning on their own. They challenge and encourage others to become self-learners and appreciate life-long learning.
Master Training and Learning
Great trainers aren’t born. They learn and develop skills over a lifetime and continually improve. They understand human behavior, for instance, and what it takes to change behavior in a more positive and productive way. They also understand the cognitive components of training and assign meaning to information so that learners will better remember, reflect upon and develop new perceptions of their roles. Great trainers also know how to tap into their learner’s attitudes about learning and motivation to do so.
Conduct a Needs Analysis
Most workplaces have rules and regulations concerning mandatory training requirements. Above and beyond what is required, what are the greatest training needs of the staff? What skills or knowledge areas do they lack? What are some of the biggest weaknesses in the workplace? An exceptional trainer has a finger on the pulse of the workplace and develops content to fill the gaps and make significant improvements. Training is targeted and goal-oriented.
Measuring Matters
A great and simple strategy to training involves costs, return on investment (ROI) and benchmarks. Naturally, training costs money and budgets matter. The skillful trainer knows how to stay within budget without compromising the quality of training. The return on investment can be observed when employees demonstrate improved knowledge and skills. Last, every trainer should have goals they wish to reach.
Final Thoughts on What Does It Take to Become a Great Trainer?
Most industries require their staff to engage in ongoing training and education, whether in-person or online. It’s simply critical to the success of everyone involved. Regardless, all trainers are not equal. Some are very mediocre and go through the motions, simply for mandatory requirements, and the material is the same old stuff employees learned last year. This is a dismal learning experience. Today’s trainers need to continually learn and improve themselves before they can teach or improve anyone else.