What it takes to be a good Trainer

Being a good trainer is a challenging task. It requires skills, knowledge, and personal qualities to help you deliver effective and engaging training to your learners.

● **Be an active listener. ** A good trainer should be able to listen to the learners' needs, questions, and feedback and adjust the training accordingly. Listening also helps to build rapport and trust with the learners and to create a positive learning environment.

● **Be a good communicator. ** A good trainer should be able to communicate confidently and persuasively with different types of learners. Communication skills include verbal and non-verbal communication, such as body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures. A good trainer should also be able to use various communication methods, such as storytelling, analogies, examples, demonstrations, and questions, to convey the learning objectives and outcomes.

● **Be a good facilitator. ** A good trainer should be able to guide the learners through the learning process rather than just lecturing them. Facilitation skills include setting clear expectations, creating an interactive and collaborative learning atmosphere, managing group dynamics, providing constructive feedback, and assessing learning outcomes. A good trainer should also be able to adapt the training content and delivery to suit the learners' needs, preferences, and levels of prior knowledge.

● **Be a good strategist. ** A good trainer should be able to plan and design the training program in alignment with the organisational goals and needs. Strategy skills include conducting a needs analysis, defining the learning objectives, selecting the appropriate training methods and tools, developing the training content and materials, setting the budget and timeline, measuring the return on investment (ROI), and evaluating the training effectiveness. A good trainer should also be able to partner with various stakeholders within the organisation, such as managers, operations, and human resources, to ensure the training program is relevant and impactful.

● **Be a lifelong learner.** A good trainer should be able to keep up with the latest trends and developments in their field of expertise, as well as in the field of training and learning. Learning skills include researching new information and sources, attending professional development courses and events, seeking feedback and mentoring from peers and experts, experimenting with new ideas and approaches, and reflecting on their practice and performance. A good trainer should also be open-minded and curious about new ways of learning and teaching.

**Be passionate and inspiring.** A good trainer should be able to motivate and inspire the learners to achieve their learning goals and apply their new skills and knowledge in their work or life. Passion and inspiration skills include showing enthusiasm and interest in the subject matter and the learners, sharing personal stories and experiences, using humour and creativity, challenging and empowering the learners, recognising and celebrating their achievements, and providing ongoing support and encouragement.