Greetings, dear readers! In this edition of Pearls of UnWisdom, we're going to talk about why being a corporate trainer is no easy feat - but it can also be pretty darn fun!?
As a corporate trainer, facilitator or coach teaching adults, people may be under the impression that your job is a breeze. After all, you're just teaching people things they should already know, right? Wrong. The truth is, being a trainer or facilitator in the corporate world can be an incredibly challenging and demanding job that requires constant effort and adaptation to stay relevant and effective.
First, let's acknowledge that training adults is not always a walk in the park. You're dealing with people who already have a certain level of knowledge and experience, and who may be more resistant to change. Plus, in the corporate world, there are always tight schedules and high expectations to meet.
But what makes this job even more challenging (yet exciting) are the unexpected situations that trainers can encounter. Here are some examples:
- Picture this: you walk into a training room filled with participants who are all older, wiser, and more experienced than you. They've been in the industry for decades, and you're just a fresh-faced trainer at their office who's still trying to figure out where the coffee machine is. Talk about intimidating!
But fear not, dear trainers. The truth is, just because someone has been in the game longer doesn't mean they know everything. Sure, they may have more grey hairs (not more than me! I keep 'em greys intact), and more industry jargon under their belt, but that doesn't necessarily translate to expertise in all areas. That’s where the mark of a great and experienced trainer comes in - guiding them gently into your areas of expertise while using their wisdom and knowledge, being humble and open to feedback. Now if that won't get most sweaty, I'm not sure what will.
- The awkward icebreaker: You know those icebreakers that are meant to get everyone comfortable and engaged? Sometimes they can backfire in unexpected ways. Like the time you asked everyone to share their favourite childhood memory, and someone revealed something deeply personal that made everyone else uncomfortable. Oops.
- Keeping learners engaged: You're trying your best to engage your learners and make the training interactive, but there's always that one person in the back who seems to be asleep or scrolling through Instagram. You try not to take it personally, but it's hard not to wonder if your jokes are falling flat.
- Balancing different learning styles: Only us trainers or those from the teaching background will even understand what this is, and why half the class bunked lectures during college. You can't have that happen as a trainer! And every batch has different learners, it's your job to ensure that all learners are engaged and learning in their own style while you facilitate their learning.
- The need to constantly upskill yourself: The corporate world is constantly changing, and so are the skills and knowledge required to succeed in it. As a trainer, facilitator, or coach, you need to stay on top of these changes and keep upskilling yourself to provide the most relevant and up-to-date training to your learners.
- The technology fail: You're all set to deliver your presentation, and then the projector stops working. Or the internet goes out. Or the PowerPoint presentation you spent hours on refuses to open. Cue the panic attack and some creative improvisation.
- The cultural misunderstanding: In a global business world, it's not uncommon to have participants from different cultures or countries. While this can provide a rich learning experience, it can also lead to unexpected cultural misunderstandings. For example, you ask participants to show a ‘thumbs up’ if they agree and suddenly a few of them show quite some offence. Oops!?It’s so important to always be respectful of cultural differences and mindful of these things while you go about your workshop!
- The awkward role play: Role plays can be a valuable tool for practicing new skills or behaviours, but they can also be cringe-worthy. Whether it's the awkward silence when no one wants to volunteer, or the participant who takes the role play a little too seriously and now everyone, including you can’t be sure if it’s an act or not; it can be a challenge to make these exercises feel natural and comfortable.
- The unexpected interruption: Whether it's a participant's phone ringing, a fire drill (happened to me twice in a 2-day workshop.. and we were on the 7th floor!!!), or a surprise visit from the CEO, unexpected interruptions can throw off your flow and derail your training. But, as they say, the show must go on - and it's up to you to keep everyone engaged and on track.
Despite these challenges, being a trainer, facilitator, or coach can also be incredibly rewarding. There's nothing quite like seeing a learner have an "a-ha" moment or hearing that your training helped someone achieve their goals. Plus, the funny stories and unexpected moments can make for great anecdotes to share with colleagues and friends.
So, to all the trainers out there: keep up the good work, and don't forget to share your challenging (yet fun) experiences so we can share a laugh!
