“Books are the training weights of the mind. They are very helpful, but it would be a bad mistake to suppose that one has made progress simply by having internalized their contents.”
—Epictetus, The Art of Living: \The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness, p. 97
(Sharon Lebell, translator and editor. 2007)
With the rapid changes in technologies, learning and development has transformed tremendously. The roles and responsibilities of employees have also changed enormously due to increased artificial intelligence (AI) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR). Therefore, the employees must be trained to learn, unlearn, and relearn to stay relevant and remain competitive globally. Additionally, McKinsey's research estimates that as many as 800 million jobs could be displaced by automation by 2030. So, it is time to adopt innovative tools and techniques to update the learning and development industry.
Training strategy
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to training. The training strategy must be adopted as per the profile of the audience, its size and strength, duration, and availability of resources. When you want to become an energetic trainer, speaker, and coach you must know how to mesmerize your audiences emotionally and effectively. You must have the right strategy and adopt unique tactics, tools, and techniques in your programs and workshops. You must have great connections and a team to do your PR work. You must create hope in your audiences and ensure valuable takeaways. You must be an expert in packing, branding, and marketing your programs and events successfully.
Exploring innovative experiential learning methods helps immensely to ensure takeaways for the learners. Interactive training is essential to build energy and enthusiasm between trainers and learners. It engages audiences effectively and avoids boredom that prevails in conventional one-way training. Trainers adopt various interactive methods such as quizzes, group discussions, case studies, summarizing the essence, role-plays, and active participation to engage learners. They can mix and match the interactive methods as per the program, profile, and size of the audiences.
There are several lessons the speakers, trainers, and coaches must adopt to succeed by taking away from successful trainers, speakers, and coaches and customizing them as per their requirements in their workshops and training programs. Conventionally, the trainers embrace a framework known as “70:20:10” in which 70 percent of learning takes place on the job, 20 percent through interaction and collaboration, and 10 percent through formal-learning interventions such as classroom training and digital curricula. It is essential to modify this strategy in the post-coronavirus world, where online learning and training have gained more significance. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) have compelled the learning and development area to reinvent training strategies accordingly.
Training techniques
Here are some tactics, tools, and techniques for trainers to consider adopting and customizing as per the type of the program, topic, and profile of their audiences. As a trainer, you must have charisma, energy, and enthusiasm. Your programs must be unique and events must be inspiring. You must have crazy ideas. You must adopt a positive body language. You must ask your audiences to raise their hands. You must ask questions and learn from them. You must have the energy and ability to engage your audiences emotionally and effectively to ensure takeaways. You must be an attentive listener and understand the psychology of your audiences. Understanding and applying Sigmund Freud’s ideas and insights can help you immensely. You must create positive vibes and elevate your audiences with positive psychology. You must be an expert in executing psychometric tools and techniques. You must share your personal stories, encourage your audiences to take notes, and implore them to write down their observations. Above all, you must lead your audiences from the front.
Dos and don’ts during training programs
Here are some dos and don'ts during the training program. Adopt innovative tools, and techniques to ensure takeaways for learners. Speak in the language of the learners. Make your training session learner-centric. Avoid taboo language. Add value to your audiences. Your mission in life is to make a positive difference, not to show how smart you are. Don’t worry excessively about your end result and feedback. Question whether you are doing the best thing or the right thing. Emphasize doing the right thing to ensure longevity.
Training in the post-coronavirus world
Training has transformed from instructor-led and interactive to computer-based video training and eLearning training. Some organizations are using virtual training coaches who engage learners like real human trainers. Some organizations including IBM and Cisco started using virtual platforms to train their employees, and during interviews and meetings. The millennial employees are enjoying virtual avatars.
It is essential to adopt technology and customize training programs. Remember that technology cannot replace teachers and trainers. No machines can replace humans. Technology can add value to the training programs. Therefore, trainers must harness technology effectively.
Learning and development must adapt to the changing times and technologies, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trainers and learners must embrace uncertainty and leverage technology to add value for the learners.
Be passionate about training, speaking, coaching, and mentoring to become a successful trainer, speaker, coach, and mentor. Add value to your audiences. Ensure valuable takeaways for your learners. To conclude, update regularly with the latest training tactics, tools, and techniques to excel as an excellent trainer, speaker, coach, and mentor to inspire others.