Training Tips for the Trainer in You – Managing Training/Teaching Scenarios
Public speaking/communication techniques are applicable beyond the typical stage – be it a conversation, discussion, or presentation. This is one of the key starting points we take when approaching public speaking training, especially in nurturing versatile communicators. Among the many stages one may encounter, a training scenario is one of the common scenarios we are asked about. This is not surprising as a communicator advances on the corporate ladder – beyond leadership, they are required to share their expertise with their team and beyond.
We see training scenarios as one of the more challenging settings, given the tenuous balance between an informative and motivational slant. For the former, training scenarios are meant to share insights that the audience can internalise and apply. For the latter, audience engagement is still needed to encourage them to buy into the content being taught/trained. An over-emphasis on the informative slant may result in a ‘dry’ training session; the converse may result in your audience questioning the credibility of the session.
With this problem, how do we navigate training scenarios using public speaking techniques? We will share three areas you can consider as you prepare for your training sessions.
Understanding Your Audience Profile
We often start a public speaking programme by highlighting the contextual nature of the skill-set. These techniques may apply differently, depending on various factors (e.g., venue, profile, objective). Similarly, training scenarios should adopt the audience’s needs as a starting point. The information being shared is ultimately for the audience’s benefit; if they are not on board, it is likely to fall on deaf ears.
To unpack an audience profile in a learning setting, start by identifying the information source. For example, you may have access to the name list of the attendees and a brief understanding of their background. You can apply this understanding to your content by identifying how they will apply the training content and the objectives they may have their sights on. As a bonus, take the opportunity to build rapport with your attendees and start on a welcoming note.
Pattern Breaks Are Key
To toe the line between information and engagement, one of the key techniques you can use is pattern breaks. Pattern breaks are public speaking/communication tools that aim to keep an audience engaged through a different stimulus or focus. Think of the most painful training session you have attended before, and it most likely involved a content-heavy, one-way session (like a one-way lecture)! Pattern breaks help to change the monotony.
When introducing pattern breaks, a few kinds can be adopted based on the overall goal. One example is the learning break – this focuses on activities that reinforce the learning through a different mode. This can come from discussions, check-ins, pair sharing, video stimulus, and reflections. Another method that you can use is the experiential break. Strong communicators can tell vivid stories or examples to emphasise the same point and engage the audience.
Show the Bridge
Finally, individuals enjoy the learning process when they understand its immediate applicability to their daily routine. You can facilitate this process by showing your audience members how to apply the content you are sharing (even if on a broad level). While this may be easier if you are in the same work as your audience members, the same applies if you are training an external team.
There are two points during a training session in which you can bridge the learning to a utility. The first segment is at the start – from the outset, set the rationale for your audience. Instead of making it instructive, invite your learners to unpack the rationale and test its applicability. Second, the application is best emphasised towards the conclusion of the programme. This can be accompanied by goal or target-setting!
Create an Engaging Learning Environment!
Being an educator, trainer, or coach can be quite irritating on its own – throw in the public speaking aspect, and you might just find it too daunting. Public speaking techniques remain useful even in a training or learning environment. The next time you have an opportunity to run such a session, try out the tips from today’s article!
WATCH: “Listen Up! For Those Thinking of Becoming Speakers and Trainers | How To Excel At It”
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Feel free to reach out to us to curate your own public speaking corporate training programme for your team, company, or organization! Let us help you develop them into highly effective public speakers at work, empowered with effective presentation skills & storytelling skills – them giving speeches with charisma, influence and impact is something you can look forward to!
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