Dealing with challenging behaviour during a training session

Dealing with challenging behaviour during a training session can be a difficult and stressful experience for trainers.

It can be tempting to simply ignore the behaviour or try to address it in a way that may not be effective.?

However, with a little planning and some strategies, it is possible to effectively manage challenging behaviour and create a positive learning environment for all participants.

We have just completed our next module on our Train the Trainer Academy, all focussed on dealing with difficult and challenging behaviour.

Here are some ideas regarding challenging individuals in a training session:

1. Set clear expectations and boundaries at the beginning of the session - Make it clear what is acceptable and what is not. We advocate using a contract approach where you get the group to explain the issue and then the group to say how to solve the issue. In my experience, this can help prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
2. Stay calm and composed - When someone exhibits challenging behaviour, it can be easy to become flustered or angry. However, reacting with strong emotions can often escalate the situation. Instead, try to stay calm and composed.
3. Use positive reinforcement - When someone exhibits appropriate behaviour, be sure to acknowledge and reinforce it. This can help encourage others and discourage negatives from occurring.
4. Don't ignore - If someone exhibits challenging behaviour, it is important to address it directly. However, it is important to do so in a non-confrontational way. Try to use "I" statements, such as "I noticed that you... this causes...., I feel that..."
5. Give people the opportunity to cool down - If someone becomes upset or agitated, give them a break to cool down and regroup. This can help prevent the situation from escalating further.
6. Seek support if needed - If you are unable to effectively manage the challenging behaviour, don't be afraid to ask for help. This could be a colleague, supervisor, or someone with more experience in dealing with the issue.

Managing challenging behaviour in a training session can be a difficult task, but with a little planning and some strategies, it is possible to create a positive learning environment for all participants.?

By setting clear expectations, staying calm, using positive reinforcement, and addressing behaviour directly, trainers can effectively manage these individuals and create a positive learning experience for everyone.

Remember you always have a choice and getting angry and frustrated doesn't really achieve anything positive. Our new module on our Train the Trainer Academy offers some great insight into dealing with difficult and challenging behaviours.

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