A Recipe for an Effective Trainer

In no particular order, effective trainers:

• recognize that training programs are about the learner, not the trainer;
• care about people;
• are resilient;
• are flexible to adapt to the specific needs of the participants;
• are able to make decisions before, during, and after the training session that will increase the probability that learning will occur;
• are continually interested in learning;
• are open to the challenges, risks and rewards of moving people beyond their comfort zone;
• are entertaining;
• are focused;
• are credible;
• have a clear lesson plan that incorporates adult learning principles and has specific, observable and measurable learning objectives;
• have knowledge of and employ a wide variety of learning activities;
• minimize the use of lecture, asking questions to draw out the participants’ knowledge;
• check for comprehension frequently and reteach in a different way if necessary;
• have a sense of humor about themselves and their abilities, including the ability to acknowledge mistakes and not take themselves too seriously;
• model what they teach;
• are effective and engaging presenters;
• have proficient group facilitation skills;
• make sure participants have ample opportunity to practice their new skills while in the session;
• have a plan to follow up with participants to reinforce learning application and retention when participants are back in the worksite;
• create and maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment for all participants; and
• build participants’ confidence in their own competence.

All of these qualities, skills and characteristics are intended to accomplish a trainer’s primary mission: to set learners up for success.