What Makes A Good Trainer

I’ve never met a trainer who exemplified all the qualities and characteristics in the list below. But successful trainers possess most of them to some degree, and they work diligently to improve or compensate for what they consider to be their more challenging areas.

• GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS. The essence of a trainer’s job is to get information across to others in a way that helps them learn. That means being able to communicate verbally, nonverbally, and in writing. Training professional need to be able to convey information clearly and concisely – and they need to know how to listen. The need to know when to speak, and when to remain silent, how to encourage others to speak, and how to end a discussion. They need to know when and how to ask questions. Communication skills can be learned and improved, but because communicating is so vital to a trainer’s job, the most successful training professional are people who truly enjoy communicating. 
• ENTHUSIASM FOR LEARNING scratch a trainer, and you’ll usually find someone who loves to learn. That’s good, because trainers are in constant learning mode. Every new project brings a new challenge and a new learning curve. For most trainers, part of the fun is learning about subjects they would never have understood if they had not needed to teach them. In addition, trainers are continually challenged to learn more about the complex, rapidly changing field of training and find ways in which they can improve their professional skills.
• CREATIVITY. Training solutions are seldom simple. Trainers must consider a variety of factors – including limited resources – when deciding how to meet a specific need, and what works for one project might not work for the next. The most successful trainers are those who think creatively so they can go beyond obvious solutions and find innovative, cost-effective ways to help people learn.
• FLEXIBILITY and the ability to think on one’s feet. People who like things to be pretty much the same day after day may find training a difficult field. Trainers to be able and willing to change direction on a dime and respond quickly to the unexpected. The most successful trainers are those who can let go of what’s not working, adapt quickly to change or new information, and deal with the challenges that are likely to come up just as they think that everyone is under control.

Training is a profession. It requires constant energy output. If you tire quickly, become discouraged easily, or become frustrated if things do not go according to plan, training may not be for you.

• ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM. Training is not a passive sport, it requires the active involvement and attention to detail that comes from being interested in what you do and caring about doing it well. Trainers who bring a contagious energy and enthusiasm to their work energize learners and stakeholders alike.
• GOOD ORGANIZATIONAL, RESOURCE-MANAGEMENT, AND TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS. Training is a constant juggling act – training professionals need to keep lots of balls in the air at the same time if they want to achieve results. Like any other project, training requires the ability to plan, stay on track and help others do the same; find and use resources; and make the most productive use of available time.
• THE ABILITY TO WORK WELL WITH OTHERS. Just as staging a theatrical production, putting on a conference, or getting a new product to market requires the collaborative efforts of a group, training is a team activity. Successful trainers don’t hide away in cubicles; they engage with others to share ideas and solve problems so that the training programs they provide meet participants’ needs and the organization’s goals.

Having What It Takes

to Be a Trainer

Although training may seem like a glamorous profession to an observer, like any other profession, it has its hidden challenges. Having the skills to be a trainer is only one prerequisite. A much more difficult requirement for a successful trainer is to have strong mental and emotional composure.

Training is a demanding profession. It requires constant energy output. If you tire quickly, become discouraged easily, or become frustrated if things do not go according to plan, training may not be for you. Here are some aspects to consider about training.

·         ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK LONGER THAN AN 8-HOUR DAY? 

Even though a training program may be scheduled from 9 to 5, you may find yourself going to the training room much earlier than 9:00 a.m. and staying much later than 5:00 p.m. A well-prepared training session takes thoughtful room and material setup. If you arrive at the training room at the same time as the trainees, you will feel disorganized and unprepared. You may even start late because of last-minute preparations.

·         ARE YOU ALSO WILLING TO STAY LATER THAN YOUR OFFICIAL "ENDING" TIME?

The same principle applies after the training program has ended. It is usually the trainer's responsibility to ensure that all items you used for the training are removed from the training room. You may need to replace tables and chairs the way you found them. You may need to straighten the room. Also, many trainees stay after the program is over so that they can ask questions they did not wish to ask in front of the rest of the participants. They expect the trainer to be there cheerfully ready to answer their questions.

In addition you may have many details to wrap up at the end of the day: add notes to your training manual, review your PowerPoint presentation for the next day, clean your transparencies, revise your schedule for the next day, complete administrative tasks, file your materials in order, send additional resources to a participant, or prepare a flip chart for the next day.

·         CAN YOU STAND ON YOUR FEET ALL DAY? 

Trainers do not often have the opportunity to sit down. Because they are facilitating the program in one way or another, they stand during all presentations and during most discussions. Even when the participants are in small groups, trainers move from group to group ready to answer questions, address problems, or know when to move on to the next subject.

·         EVEN IF YOU CAN LITERALLY STAND ON YOUR FEET ALL DAY, CAN YOU FIGURATIVELY STAND ON YOUR FEET ALL DAY? 

No amount of preparation can equip a trainer for everything that can happen in a training session. The trainer must be prepared to respond to unexpected questions and events.

A trainer must be flexible. Sometimes, the planned agenda doesn't fit the needs of the audience. A good trainer adjusts the agenda and changes the material so that it meets the needs of the audience. An effective trainer also reads the audience and adjusts the level of the training to fit the level of the audience.

·         CAN YOU PERFORM EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL LOUSY? 

Trainers don't often have the discretion to call in sick. When a session is scheduled, it often has been done long in advance, and often learners travel from long distances to attend training. Therefore, trainers must be able to present enthusiastically even when they are a little under the weather. The show must go on!

·         ARE YOU PREPARED TO CONSTANTLY GIVE OF YOURSELF WITHOUT EXPECTING TO RECEIVE ANYTHING IN RETURN? 

Trainers are often viewed by others as "healers" — those people who always have the answers and who can perform "magic." Conversely, trainers are not often perceived as people who have their own needs. As a result, participants may use your training program to get some bad feelings off their chests. Giving may extend to time as well, such as having time for breaks and lunch that may be used by participants wanting to discuss their personal situations.

·         CAN YOU BE THE PERFECT ROLE MODEL ALL THE TIME? 

It is a trainer's job to teach the "right" way to do things. You must also be prepared to practice what you preach. Trainers run the risk of losing their credibility if they are not perceived to be a perfect example of what they teach. And, because no one is perfect, trainers must also admit it when they make a mistake. Trainers cannot allow participants to leave a training session with incorrect information. Have you read about the life story of Anthony Robbins and Robert Kiyosaki? Sylvester Stallone?

·         CAN YOU COPE WITH CONSTANT LOGISTIC PROBLEMS? 

Even though it may be someone else's responsibility to make room and equipment arrangements, it becomes the trainer's problem if something is not right. Are you prepared to deal with malfunctioning equipment, rooms that are not set up, reservations clerks who say you never reserved a room, materials that do not arrive, materials that have been typed or collated incorrectly, or any mess-up in general? A good trainer takes full accountability for ensuring that all logistics of a training program are in order.

·         CAN YOU BE A BIG LUG? 

Although it would be nice to have all the training materials, supplies, and equipment just magically show up at the training site, it is more likely that you will be the person responsible for getting it all there. Packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking (and then doing it all over again) is simply a part of a trainer's job.

·         ARE YOU PREPARED TO ENCOURAGE YOUR PARTICIPANTS EVEN WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT? 

Sometimes, people are sent to training because their managers think that it is "a good thing to do." There may be little serious commitment to support and encourage these employees when the training is completed. Can you provide support and understanding in the absence of managers' commitment?

·         CAN YOU DELIVER HARD FEEDBACK? 

Trainees do not learn effectively if during their training process they are not given honest feedback. Are you able to give this feedback, even when it is not good and even if it may impact an employee's job?

·         ARE YOU ABLE TO PROCESS FAILURE, IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS, AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS? 

Not every training program is a smashing success. In fact, some are downright bad. Successful trainers are those who analyze what went wrong in the bad sessions and then design changes in the program so that it improves the next time around.

I had the privilege to share and conduct the following training:

Ø  360’ review of training before and after a training.

Ø  In-dept TNA by asking the right question and knowing your crowd

The preceding questions are not meant to discourage you, but rather to introduce the reality of a sometimes glamorous-appearing job. It may be challenging. It usually requires a great deal of work. And it can be riddled with problems. However, you forget all the difficulties when former participants tell you that "you changed their lives." Or that "you inspired them." Of course this doesn't happen on a weekly basis, but it does happen often enough to make it all worthwhile.

5 things to look for in a personal trainer

Here are five qualities you should look for in a trainer or personal trainer:

1. PATIENCE

Stretching essential to working out 03:10

Meeting guidelines

Spring into summer shape

Patience is the key to a good client-trainer relationship. Trainers should understand that what works for one client may not work for another. He or she should do an assessment of your clients with a proper in-dept TNA when you first meet to familiarize with your clients.

Trainers should also find a comfortable pace for their clients, Borden says. Some clients may progress at a faster rate, while others may require more coaching and assistance this can be as a personal trainer or even a corporate trainer in which developing a step by step development program based on company needs, requirements and also direction in staff development.

A trainer should love teaching and the journey of helping people find their ways in development and self-belief is in our blood.

2. COMMUNICATION

Your trainer likely will not be with you. That said, they should be able to explain things to you on the phone / via email or blog and teach you how to do and approach on certain scenarios.

And communication goes two ways.

"If a client always cancels on me and pushes back, it makes me feel like they aren't committed,".

3. PROFESSIONALISM

While it's important to maintain a close relationship with a client, there also needs to be a level of professionalism.

The duration of your training session, the location and the experience level of your personal trainer will dictate the cost of your session.)

Lastly, the clothes your trainer wears should be simple and plain. The attention should be on the client, Borden says -- not on what the trainer is wearing... or not wearing.

4. EDUCATION

Trainers should also stay up-to-date with the latest trends and new research published in scientific journals, training journal and also methods in industry.

Basic is always there, but this field is evolving, I always check online to see if there are new studies or courses I need to look at."

5. PERSONALITY

As a client, you want to feel comfortable and trust that your trainer has your best interest in mind.

Once you have established what kind of personal trainer you want, you can start looking for them.

Top 10 Tips on How to Become a SUPER Trainer

"It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well." - Henri-Frederic Amiel (1821-81), Swiss philosopher, poet.

Training is at the core of all our activities be it personal or professional. But good training is not a matter of coincidence, it is a matter of the right mix of knowledge, skills and attributes.

So, what does it take to be a good trainer?

Well, in short, it takes time and patience. For the long answer, there are some essentials to training. For example, all training is about communication so the rules of good communication apply to training. Similarly, good training is about robust instructional design and training delivery practices. An application of learning theories and principles helps in delivering good training. But beyond these theories, models and techniques - there are some specific personal skills and attributes that are worth a discussion.

It is relatively easy to become a good trainer. This usually involves taking some formal education in training, getting certified and learning from your own experience. But in order to transition from good to great and to really embrace training and make an impact, you need to put in something extra! That's when you become a SUPER TRAINER!

IF YOU ARE A GOOD TRAINER AND ARE ASPIRING TO BECOME A SUPER TRAINER, HERE ARE MY TOP 10 TIPS:

1. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE: 

It is expected that as a trainer you know a lot about some things and be a subject matter expert in your area of specialization. But  it is also important to know a little about many things. Having a wider view of life makes the difference between a good and a great trainer.

2. BE CURIOUS: 

The common trait of all good trainers is that they are always curious and wanting to learn. In addition, super trainers are not afraid of learning from their learners!

3. BE ACCEPTING: 

As a trainer, you are likely to have a wide variety of participants who don't always learn in the same ways or at the same speed. Accept and embrace the differences and leverage the opportunities presented by diversity.

4. BE PATIENT: 

Practice makes perfect and for a trainer patience makes super. It takes a lot of patience to teach and train others.

 
5. BE A ROLE MODEL: 

It is one thing to teach someone and another thing to follow what you teach! A super trainer always walks the talk. You have to practice what you preach and become a role model for your trainees.

6. BE A GOOD LISTENER: 

Most training is about listening rather than talking. We have 2 ears and 1 mouth, not vice versa :) A super trainer is always ready to listen - sometimes even listen things that are not being said.

7. BE CHALLENGING: 

A super trainer has to provide ample opportunities for trainees to feel challenged. Life is never boring with a super trainer around. There is something new waiting to be discovered.

8. BE ENTERTAINING: 

When you are a super trainer, the show must go on. A good training always involves feelings and emotions. Humor and entertainment go a long way in making a memorable session.

9. BE PASSIONATE: 

All super trainers are passionate about their area of expertise and about teaching others. There is a certain degree of positive energy and aura around great trainers. Remember, only passionate trainers can create passionate learners.

10. BE INSPIRING: 

As a super trainer, you must aspire to inspire. Every conversation with your learners is an opportunity to train and impact others in a positive way. Seize that opportunity and inspire your learners to do the impossible.

"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." - William Arthur Ward

Final say, trainers are here to change people’s lives and make and impact. Their success is your glory.