8/17/2019 The Calm & Competent Trainer: Characteristics of Effective Trainers

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The Calm & Competent Trainer:Characteristics of Effective Trainers

Effective Trainers:

• Know their subject matter. They have researched their topic and are well informed;learners perceive them as credible.

• Take the time to get to know their

audience.

They demonstrate respect for, and listen to, the learners.They call learners by name, if possible.

•  Are nonjudgmentalThey validate everyone’s eperiences and their right to their own perspective.

• They respect differences of opinion

and life choices.

They know that key learning can take place when peopleepress different viewpoints and bring their ownperspectives into the adult learning classroom.

• Are culturally sensitive.

They are aware that their cultural background shapes their

views and beliefs, just as the perspectives of learners areshaped by their own culture and life eperiences.

•  Are self!aware.They recogni"e their own biases and act in a professionalmanner when their #hot buttons$ are pushed.

•  Are inclusive.

They encourage all learners to share their eperiences andcontribute to the group!learning process in their uni%ueways.

•  Are lively, enthusiastic and original.

They use humor, contrasts, metaphors and suspense.They keep their listeners interested and challenge theirthinking.

• &se a variety of vocal %ualities They vary their pitch, speaking rate, and volume. Theyavoid speaking in monotones.

• &se #body language$ effectively.Their body posture, gestures, and facial epressions arenatural and meaningful, reinforcing their subject matter.

• 'ake their remarks clear and easy to

remember.

They present one idea at a time and show relationshipsbetween ideas. They summari"e when necessary.

• (llustrate their points.They use eamples, charts, and visual and audio aids toillustrate subject matter.

• &nderstand group dynamics and are

comfortable managing groups.

They are comfortable with conflict resolution and know how

to facilitate an inclusive course or workshop, whereeveryone’s participation is encouraged.

•  Are fleible.

They read and interpret learners’ responses)verbal andnonverbal)and adapt training plans to meet their needs.They are #in charge$ without being overly controlling.

•  Are open to new ideas and

perspectives.

They are aware that they do not know all the answers. Theyrecogni"e that as well as offering their audience newknowledge or perspectives; they can also learn from courseparticipants.

*haracteristics of +ffective Trainers August --

8/17/2019 The Calm & Competent Trainer: Characteristics of Effective Trainers

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•  Are compassionate.

They understand that the topics addressed during trainingmay have an emotional impact on learners. They areempathetic and understanding about learners’ emotionalreactions.

•  Are receptive to feedback.

They encourage co!trainers and learners to give themfeedback, both informally and through formal evaluation./hen they receive negative feedback about theirperformance, they critically analy"e this feedback instead of becoming defensive.

• *ontinuously work to improve their

teaching and training.

+ven the most eperienced trainers can improve theirtraining skills. +ffective trainers seek out opportunities tolearn new skills and use negative feedback as anopportunity to improve.

This handout was created with the help of material from 012(+34’s Training Works! , --56http788www.reproline.jhu.edu8english89read89training8Tngworks8:, and K. awson’s The Trainer’s Handbook , <==>,0ossey!?ass82feiffer.

*haracteristics of +ffective Trainers August --