Why the worst training I ever ran, was the best development I ever had!

I still remember the moment I realised that my training session was falling apart.  Stood in front of a panel of Senior Managers and respected training peers during a development centre exercise.  My well-rehearsed session was slowing rolling away from me, like a car on a hill without the hand-break on.  A ‘clever’ little exercise I had designed to demonstrate...

 active learning (using programmable alarm clocks!  What was I thinking!) was in fact only demonstrating my inability to think about how I might pull back a session if things didn’t go to plan.  I became self-conscious, defensive and convinced that I would only ever be judged on that one session.  I ultimately mentally withdraw from the development centre experience and seriously considered if I was in the right profession. 

That was well over 10 years ago and I’m pleased to say that rather than throwing in the towel, I’ve had some wonderful opportunities to prove myself, (and in my mind, the panel of assessors), that I am indeed in the right profession and you know what, I’m pretty darn good at it too!

So why was it the best development I’ve ever had?

It taught me about resilience!  Resilience is something all Trainers and Facilitator need, especially when starting out in the profession.  I was lucky, I had a wonderful Manager at the time who gave me the time to reflect, the freedom to discuss and the opportunity to share his knowledge of how to move forward.  In fact, he is still my Mentor over a decade on and I am ever thankful for his support.

​Trainer’s need exposure to different environments, experiences and audiences, but they also need exposure to observations, feedback and support from some like-minded professionals who can enable them to focus on their own development, as well as their audience’s development.

As a Manager of Trainers, providing exposure and development for the team should not only be high on the agenda, it should be at the top.  And if you ever see someone start an exercise using a programmable alarm clock… go with it and encourage them to learn from their experience and help build their resilience too!

Nikie Forster is Director of Curious Lighthouse Learning Consultancy, based in Hampshire where she enables Trainers and Facilitators to enhance their performance through;
Creating ~ A Career in Training / Enabling ~ In-House Training Teams / Enhancing ~ Trainers and Facilitators performance.

If you are a Trainer, Facilitator or Manager of such a team, Curious Lighthouse can work in partnership with you to develop your development. 
www.curiouslighthouse.co.uk   
​nikie.forster@curiouslighthouse.co.uk