What makes a good trainer?
I am in a position at work in which I am often training a coworker how to do what I do. I explain procedures, processes, how our contracts work, how to do things in AutoCAD, how to handle certain situations… you get the idea.
I don’t mind training someone or explaining things to them. I actually look forward to how it serves as a refresher to me, and may even open my eyes to new ideas.
BUT, I don’t feel like I am a good trainer. I don’t feel like I explain things very well! I’ve really been struggling with being articulate lately. And by lately, I mean for most of my life. Sure, I am gregarious, but when you put me in front of a group, there might be a few extra words thrown in.
I was talking to my ex-neighbor* about how I don’t think I am good at training people, and he recommending asking people how they liked to be trained. Do they prefer hands on? Reading a document? Watching someone else perform the task first?
I thought that was really good advice. So I want to ask you to help me out as well:
What qualities should a good trainer have?
Whether it’s at work, or a coach, a teacher, or even a mentor, what have your favorite trainers been like? What did they do/not do that worked/didn’t work for you?
*Sniff sniff – they moved to New Mexico!
Themocracy
I’m the type of person who *likes* helpful criticism, but I also really need a pat on the back once in a while. Being told what I’m doing excellent on needs to be combined with the criticism to keep me motivated!
Also, I think being treated like a team member rather creates a more relaxed atmosphere to learn more in. My best trainers have been ones who were relateable and ones in which I wasn’t afraid to ask (stupid) questions. 😉
You’ll be great! I think even the fact that you’re trying to be the best trainer will come across to the trainee, which will make the whole thing successful. 😀
I like that idea of training based more on what is most helpful for each trainee (obviously can’t work with mass trainings but for one on one… I think it would be awesome).
I’m with Sarah on the helpful criticism with a pat or two on the back included 🙂 My coaches at work are driving me nuts though because I have a different one every day this week and each one says something different about certain things. NOT HELPFUL!
That really is a good suggestion because everyone learns differently. I have trouble training people too. Sometimes all I want to say is “you take this thing and then do this thing” yeah i know real technical! haha
hmmm interesting question. in general i’m not a good trainer. i am a good organizer so i can write down things in a logical easy to read way. but when it comes to verbal direction and actual step by step guidance i get impatient easily (and want to do things myself) lol. but i am def better at it knowing that about myself and remind myself that how I learn is by doing things and often i need extra help and appreciate guidance and patience in my trainer, so i try to do unto others and i want done to myself 🙂 good ol golden rule always seems to apply.
What I have found with my 4 kids is that everyone learns very differently. I learn best by reading something and then trying it out but not all of my kids are that way. My son likes to try things first and sort of ask questions as he goes, my daughter likes to be shown first and then have it explained, etc. I think the best bet when training someone is to either figure out a way to see how they learn best and then do that, or just ask them. The hard part is that not everyone knows how they learn best. For instance, I always think I learn best when someone is praising the things I am doing right. That works a little for me, but even better to motivate me to work harder? Tell me all the stuff I am doing wrong and I will work much harder to make it better. If I did that to my son he would cry. He needs constant approval that he is doing whatever it is correctly.
In general you seem pretty patient with people, at least with friends anyway, so it seems like you would be a great trainer.
Like Tori said, I think everyone has a their own unique ways of learning. For me personally, I like a quick explanation, sort of like an overview. Then, I pretty much like to get my hands dirty. I’ve found if I sit and watch other people doing it and then try it myself, it doesn’t sink in nearly as much as if I’m trying it along with them.
I think it really depends on the trainee. Personally, I can’t stand being told what to do; I learn best by actually doing something. As for teaching things to other people, I’m really bad at it — if I can do it or understand it, I don’t get how it can be all that difficult. And if I can’t do it / understand it, how could I possibly show someone else?
<3 <3
I have never thought to ask somebody how they would like to be trained. That is a a great idea.
I like it when people show me the task and then let me do it helps me connect the bran with the process.
if you feel that your words don’t do it for you, show them! the thing i like about my trainer is that she shows me everything before she has me do it. i think it helps a lot. the other thing i like about her, is that she will tell me if i’m not doing something correctly, or if i’m not getting full benefit from what i’m doing, due to my positioning or something like that.
it is a very individual thing to be trained. i have an old classmate that i was going to hire, but then i saw this girl teach a class and she was very regimented and got all the moves and beats right. she explained things to people as we were going along, so that no one missed a beat. in the end, it was her preparedness that hooked me!
I think it just depends on the person, I prefer learning something hands on…i.e. I never read instruction manuals, but other people like my mom need a tutorial.
Who am I to give advice? I can’t get Maya to learn to write her alphabet no matter what I do. If I can’t train a 5-year-old to write her letters I definitely can’t train anyone in anything!
I’m a horrible trainer and I admit it. I’m very impatient with people and want them to just get it so I can get back to my own work. I always try to get out of training new people because I feel bad that I’m so bad at it!
I find that my difficulty lies in figuring out how to explain something I just *know*. After I learn something I honestly don’t remember how I learned it so it’s hard to go back to explain it to someone else. However, I was told quite often by people at my previous job that I was a really good trainer because I was patient, explained WHY they were doing something, and was always available to answer questions.
I always think back to my favorite math teacher (and I HATE math so the fact that I have a favorite math teacher is quite a feat) and how he would explain a concept and let us work on the problems in class while he sat at his desk. If I was having a difficult time getting the right answer I would go up to his desk with my paper. Instead of re-explaining the concept, he would just point to the spot in my work where I did something wrong without saying a word and raise his eyebrows at me. Many times that was enough for the lighbulb to go off but if it wasn’t he would patiently walk me through what I did wrong.
Also, I find that being able to explain things in many different ways helps. If you find that the person doesn’t understand something it may be because they need it explained in a different way. Maybe with an analogy or a comparison instead of a straight description.
YOU are struggling with being articulate? yeah right!! but anyway, the #1 quality i look for in a good trainer is patience, and also there is just that vibe about some people where you feel comfortable to ask questions and not feel stupid. that is so important!
I like it when a trainer tells me what is expected, shows me how to do it, then gives me a chance to try it for myself. After I’ve given it a shot, I like to get feedback (both positive and negative) on how I performed.
Well, I’ve never had a trainer, but I consider therapists trainers 🙂 I’ve had plenty of those. Ha. For me, I tend to see right through bullshit and I don’t like lots of soft talking and coddling. Be real with me, give me an opinion, even if it’s blunt. I appreciate that. Of course, I like cheerleading and reminders of how well I’m doing, but I respond best to challenges and structure. I heart assignments. I also like progress charts — anything written down, basically. Some sarcasm thrown in for fun is always good 🙂
Great question! I think refreshing yourself on the training before you train someone else is important. Also, I think it’s good to give the person you’re training some kind of documentation of what they’re learning so they have something to refer to. Let the person know they should stop you if they have questions and ask them periodically if they’re understanding everything. And give them the opportunity to be as hands-on as possible — that’s how I learn best. Lastly, I really hate when I’m being trained and I catch on faster than the trainer is teaching. So, in a one-on-one situation, maybe it would be a good idea to ask every once in a while if you’re going too slow.
1. Be a good listener.
2. When the trainee is stuck on something, hopefully the trainer can understand the predicament and find another way to explain that the trainee will understand. One method or explanation doesn’t work for all of us.
3. Don’t lose patience.
From a coaching perspective, I think I am great with the kids because they see how much I love softball. I think back to coaches I had and remember what they did that helped me. However, when it comes to training for something that doesn’t really interest me, like work stuff, I am not as good at it.
i think it’s important for the trainer to be able to cater to how the client learns. for instance, you do have to know how to teach using cues, or verbally, or with motions. no touching, touching- that’s all important to know. a good trainer will be motivating and also know when to step in. i think it’s important for trainers of any kind (personal trainers, or just job training) to HAVE PATIENCE! =D
i feel the same way when i am teaching yoga and people just stare at you with those blank looks. i have to do the class with my students, if i try to teach w/ voice only they look at me like i have 7 heads. and i dont think it’s an articulation issue; i truly think people are visual learners.
The most important thing is understanding each other, I think. Having an argument over a miscommunication is the WORST but unfortunately it happens. Be clear about what you want and expect and get the same in return.
i’ve had a few trainers….i think them being reliable is important! (you’d be surprised at how some aren’t)
I’m a remote trainer, hosting web sessions and training via phone on computer stuff. Some of the things that I try to do is understand your trainee. I always ask them if they want to do the hands-on mouse navigation… or prefer me to do it so that they can take notes. Gives then a sense of control over their learning…. So, find out how they like being trained. Explain the things that you will be covering, go through your schtick, then recap in case questions arise. Most importantly, remember that while you might be the “pro”, they might be seeing it for the first time 🙂
Well, since I was banned from training people in my last job I can’t offer much advice. In my defence however, once I’ve told you something 3 times you should remember it. If not, yah I’m going to scare you into remembering it.
I’m pretty certain they gave me the dumb ones to train anyhow. The problem couldn’t have been me!!
I can offer experience from a really great training past.
During one of my summer internships, I had the great fortune of starting at the same time as several other related team members (back when business was booming). One of the designers was in the process of studying for his PE, so twice a week we’d all gather in the conference room, get some food and drink, set up a projector, and he’d go through some previous projects step by step. We had a printed copy of the project to use as a reference for all other projects then too.
It allowed him to review all of his work (that’d been sealed by a PE, so correct) and study, but it also allowed us to see the full process along with the details of “Go to edit, select material types…” and ask any questions about specific logistics. To this day, I still know the programs that he taught us the best because of the integration of explanation and first hand use.
I think it was also really successful because it was a fun time to look forward to twice a week, where just us ‘cool younger kids’ could hang out. It was a lot of fun.