Qualities of a Good TrainerGood training requires a commitment to developing competencies. A

basic understanding of teaching excellence allows trainers to evaluate

their teaching style

A good trainer is key to a great training experience.  While the training

needs may differ depending on the domain, a good trainer provides

essentially the following:

← A well-defined course outline

← The course structure should be well defined. With the specific details

given, it is easy to convey the meaning of any such training.

← It should be topical and updated

← The course should be specific to the

← topic being covered and should blend with the current scenario. It should

carry all the updated facts and information.

← A complete schedule of the training

← The training schedule should be defined as a step wise process. The

timelines of the training schedule should be adhered to. The completion

of each training module should be followed by formal or informal

assessment.

← Simplicity in the training materia l

← Presentation, Takeaways, Workbook, Handouts – The training should be

well supplemented by presentations, takeaways and workbook exercises.

Specific topics in the presentation may be dealt with at a deeper level in

the handout, takeaway or workbook.

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← Provide simple and relevant examples

← A trainer should present simple and relevant examples to enhance the

topic.

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← Adult learning has a much greater chance of success when the trainer or

teacher is competent. An instructor that strives for excellence will

demonstrate each of the following qualities of a good trainer.

Exudes Patience

A good trainer needs to have incredible patience. Often learners are

frustrated when introduced to new concepts and they need the trainer or

teacher to re-frame the information in a way that will encourage them to

see beyond a block in learning.

Explains Concepts Simply

Often in an attempt to convey a new concept, poor trainers tend to over

complicate with providing a high level of detail. A good trainer knows

how to pull out the key concepts and points and to gradually build in the

details over time once the basic concepts are understood. Often it takes up

to three different introductions or exposures to a concept before learners

retain the information. For example, present the key concepts in a short

lecture, then discuss them within case studies and finally create an

assignment around the key concepts.

Facilitates Active Learning

Lectures provide information to the masses but for true learning to occur,

a good trainer facilitates active learning by finding ways for the learner to

uncover the key concepts through discovery and practice. Hands-on

learning through discussions, quizzes, games, case studies, simulations,

brainstorming etc. will engage the learner in the topic and facilitate their

learning.

Uses Creative Approaches

Variety is the spice of life and it also spices up learning. A good teacher

knows when to change gears and offer an activity or exercise that will

shake up preconceived notions of learners and expand their perceptions.

Challenge learners by offering the unexpected and mixing up the delivery

to appeal to the various learning styles.

Demonstrates Acceptance of Different Views

A good teacher remains neutral and encourages debates that explore the

pros and cons of concepts. Racism, hate and ignorance should never exist

in a classroom. A good trainer will demonstrate zero tolerance for

unethical behaviors while, at the same time, encourage different

viewpoints that help learners understand cultural diversity.

Sees the Big Picture and Breaks it Down

Good trainers remember to link individual concepts with a bigger picture

so that the learner understands the role each piece plays. When learners

do not understand the bigger picture, they often feel confused as the

learning feels disjointed.

Motivates Learning

Part cheerleader, part coach; a good trainer knows how to motivate

learning through encouragement and support. Good teachers insist on the

learner doing the work to uncover answers to problems while guiding

them gently with encouraging words and hints to help steer them along in

their discovery. Poor instructors give away answers and do the work for

the learner. Good instructors encourage curiosity.

Creates a Welcome, Safe Environment

Adult learners need to feel that their classroom (be it virtual or not) is a

safe place to express their concerns and ask questions. Learners who feel

threatened by a closed communicative environment will not learn and

will usually drop out.

Comes Prepared

An organized instructor will gain instant respect from learners. Showing

up on time as well as demonstrating that lessons are planned, prepared

and relevant to the audience will impress learners.

If an instructor can demonstrate a high level of competence, then learners

will remain engaged. Learning happens in an environment that fosters

patience, simplified concepts, active learning, creativity, diversity of

views, perspective, motivation, safety and organization.

The Power of Body Language

Good communication is the foundation of successful relationships, both

personally and professionally. But we communicate with much more than

words. In fact, research shows that the majority of our communication is

nonverbal. Nonverbal communication, or body language, includes our

facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and even the tone of our

voice.

The ability to understand and use nonverbal communication is a powerful

tool that will help you connect with others, express what you really mean,

navigate challenging situations, and build better relationships at home

and work.

The power of body language (nonverbal communication)

Nonverbal communication, or body language, is a vital form of

communication. When we interact with others, we continuously give and

receive countless wordless signals. All of our nonverbal behaviors—the

gestures we make, the way we sit, how fast or how loud we talk, how

close we stand, how much eye contact we make—send strong messages.

The way you listen, look, move, and react tell the other person whether or

not you care and how well you’re listening. The nonverbal signals you

send either produce a sense of interest, trust, and desire for connection—

or they generate disinterest, distrust, and confusion.

Body language in relationships

It takes more than words to create fulfilling, strong relationships.

Nonverbal communication has a huge impact on the quality of our

relationships. Nonverbal communication skills improve relationships by

helping you:

Accurately read other people, including the emotions they’re

feeling and the unspoken messages they’re sending.

Create trust and transparency in relationships by sending nonverbal

signals that match up with your words.

Respond with nonverbal cues that show others that you understand,

notice, and care.

Unfortunately, many people send confusing or negative nonverbal signals

without even knowing it. When this happens, both connection and trust

are lost in our relationships.

Types of body language

There are many different types of nonverbal communication. Together,

the following nonverbal signals and cues communicate your interest and

investment in others.

Facial expressions

The human face is extremely expressive, able to express countless

emotions without saying a word. And unlike some forms of nonverbal

communication, facial expressions are universal. The facial expressions

for happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust are the same

across cultures.

Body movements and posture

Consider how your perceptions of people are affected by the way they sit,

walk, stand up, or hold their head. The way you move and carry yourself

communicates a wealth of information to the world. This type of

nonverbal communication includes your posture, bearing, stance, and

subtle movements.

Gestures

Gestures are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. We wave, point,

beckon, and use our hands when we’re arguing or speaking animatedly—

expressing ourselves with gestures often without thinking. However, the

meaning of gestures can be very different across cultures and regions, so

it’s important to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.

Eye contact

Since the visual sense is dominant for most people, eye contact is an

especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look

at someone can communicate many things, including interest, affection,

hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also important in maintaining the

flow of conversation and for gauging the other person’s response.

Touch

We communicate a great deal through touch. Think about the messages

given by the following: a firm handshake, a timid tap on the shoulder, a

warm bear hug, a reassuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat on the

head, or a controlling grip on your arm.

Space

Have you ever felt uncomfortable during a conversation because the other

person was standing too close and invading your space? We all have a

need for physical space, although that need differs depending on the

culture, the situation, and the closeness of the relationship. You can use

physical space to communicate many different nonverbal messages,

including signals of intimacy, aggression, dominance, or affection.

Voice

We communicate with our voices, even when we are not using words.

Nonverbal speech sounds such as tone, pitch, volume, inflection, rhythm,

and rate are important communication elements. When we speak, other

people “read” our voices in addition to listening to our words. These

nonverbal speech sounds provide subtle but powerful clues into our true

feelings and what we really mean. Think about how tone of voice, for

example, can indicate sarcasm, anger, affection, or confidence.

Using body language successfully

Nonverbal communication is a rapidly flowing back-and-forth

process. Successful nonverbal communication depends on emotional self-

awareness and an understanding of the cues you’re sending, along with

the ability to accurately pick up on the cues others are sending you. This

requires your full concentration and attention. If you are planning what

you’re going to say next, daydreaming, or thinking about something

else, you are almost certain to miss nonverbal cues and other subtleties in

the conversation. You need to stay focused on the moment-to-moment

experience in order to fully understand what’s going on