1. They know their stuff.
The best trainers are intimately familiar with
every aspect of the material they are presenting.
They know what’s in their handouts, brochures
and trainee materials.
2. They know what they don’t know.
Great trainers are also very aware of and honest
about what they don’t know. Just ask them and
they’ll tell you…they will also work very hard
to help you find the answer.
3. They can train around the weak spots.
Even the best-designed training material will
have some weak areas. Good trainers can spot
these and develop ways to work around them.
4. They don’t just train, they “entertain”.
Top trainers know that you can’t teach a
sleeping student, so they work diligently to
present their information in a manner that keeps
trainees attuned, alert and learning.
5. They are eminently adaptable.
Flexibility is the key to good training. What
works for one student may not work for another
and trainers know how to adapt their styles,
examples and material to fit the needs of
different audiences.
6. They are time bandits.
One key to successful training courses is to
start and stop on time. Great trainers can
manipulate their material as needed so that
they are ALWAYS on time.
7. They are masters of their domain.
Once in the training environment, the trainer
controls everything. To observers it may seem
like chaos reigns, but the talented trainer
keeps things moving forward and on topic.
8. They have their PhDs in people skills.
Regardless of scale, trainers are always
interacting with many, many people. The best
trainers deal effectively with personalities of
all types, from the ultra-shy to the loud-and-
belligerent.
9. They understand that learning is a life-long
process.
While the course of class they teach may be
short, top trainers make themselves available
even after the formal training has been completed.
10. They are constantly improving.
Great trainers actively search new ideas, tips
and techniques to improve the quality of their
training, their delivery and their material.
About the Author
Jim Allen is a professional life & business coach. For more ideas, subscribe to his free bi-weekly ezine, THE BIG IDEA, by sending a blank email to: SubscribeGA@CoachJim.com