Types of Trainers

From teaching in a public high school and a public university to working as a technical corporate trainer to running my own business as a public speaking trainer and coach, I’ve been teaching my entire employed life. The only difference was when I moved to the corporate world, I had a title change from Teacher to Trainer.

In working for over 20 years with corporate trainers, I’ve created a classification system of training styles:  

●      The Slide Reader – PowerPoint is the authority. The information is solid and immovable. The schedule and its completion are sacred. And the students are asleep.

●      The Rabbit Chaser – This expert has stories from the trenches and isn’t afraid to use them. Ask a question about strategy, get troubleshooting, change management, budgeting, and conflict resolution for free. The students have no trouble staying awake, but it’s hard to know what the intended outcomes are.

●      The Joker – This entertaining expert deals out the pun-ishment and the punchlines. Expect to laugh and the time will fly, whether or not the objectives were realized.  Pick a card, any card…

●      The Drill Sergeant – From the moment you enter this classroom, the rules reign supreme. And you better follow them. Or else.  

●      The Game Show Host – This trainer is all about audience involvement. From questions and competition to prizes and crazy sound effects and videos, expect to be called upon. Just don’t finish last or you’ll get the rubber chicken prize.

Note there is nothing inherently wrong with any of those tactics, in moderation. Some sort of intersection and combination would be nice. Which leads us to…

●      The Rock Star – These trainers do what few others can do. They try things no one else will. They don’t care what others think. The fans rave and tell others. The Establishment may pan the methods, even as they acknowledge the results.  

And just like the music rock stars, they make it look easy and there’s a fine line between maestro and weirdo. But those on the inside know it isn’t just about the music (content). There’s a method that’s being followed and a purpose to every riff and rhythm.  Stardom is not an accident.

If your career path finds you at the front of a classroom trying to teach others what you know, call us to get some guidance on coordinating the program to effectively drive outcomes that are consistent with your style.