Chapter 16
The Consummate Professional
IN THIS CHAPTER
Knowing what it takes to be a professional trainer
Growing professionally
Maintaining your energy level
Giving back to the profession
What does it take to be a model of success and professionalism as a TD professional? Probably the same thing it takes to be a model of success in any vocation, whether it’s ballet, soccer, chemistry, plumbing, teaching, or writing. I once read that most people achieve only a third of their potential. Successful professionals in any field achieve more than a third of their potential because they work at it.
How can trainers maintain a professional edge? Professional trainers can continue to grow professionally; they go the extra mile to be better than average; and they give back to the profession. I address each of these topics in this chapter. In addition, you won’t want to miss Bob Pike’s thoughts about what it takes to be a master trainer.
Growing Professionally
You have an obligation to your participants and employer to continually improve your knowledge and skills. The rapid changes in the world today can turn today’s expert into tomorrow’s dolt if the person fails to keep up. Trainers create their own development plan to ensure that they are lifelong learners. You can include several strategies in your development plan.
Attend formal learning events
Probably the first thing you think about when becoming a lifelong learner is “What class or conference can I attend?” But there are so many more ways to keep learning, as described in the following sections.
Go back to school
You may not need an MBA, but higher education courses are critical. Take courses in finance or marketing or organizational development so that you can continue to be a strong contributor to your organization. Take a class to bring yourself up to speed in the technology area. Take an adult-learning class as a refresher or to get another perspective.
Check your local community colleges and universities. Many have continuing education programs that may offer topics to help you grow. I’ve benefited from programs such as “Dealing with Difficult People,” “Project Management,” and “Learning to Be More Creative.”
Consider certification
Certification confers valuable credibility to anyone in the profession. The Association for Talent Development (ATD) initiated a certification program in 2005. It has constantly been updated to keep pace with the changing profession. Certification benefits trainers by offering a means to prove their value and identify a path of continued professional development.
Seminars and workshops are available to help individuals prepare for certification. Chapter 17 discusses certification for trainers and others in the broader field of talent development.
Enroll in a train-the-trainer session, preferably one in which you’re videotaped and obtain feedback on your training style.
Search for certification and classes in many topics
Don’t focus only on learning within the training profession. Instead, broaden your knowledge base. Search for related topics and get certified in topics such as project management, coaching, LEAN, change management, or quality improvement. Or take a class in emotional intelligence or leadership. If you work in a specific industry, consider learning more about it. For example, if you work in construction, consider a class in engineering or architecture. Join a writer’s group or take a class in how to edit video.
Take advantage of MOOCs
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) were designed to attract thousands of learners and reduce the delivery cost for higher education. Some believed MOOCs would revolutionize corporate learning. Unfortunately, screen fatigue set in and few people finished the courses. They became a punchline for academics: “Remember the MOOCs.” Now the pandemic has changed all that. After nearing death, they are booming again.
Attend conferences
At the very least, consider attending your professional organization’s annual conference. It may seem expensive, but you owe it to yourself to invest in your development. Sometimes local chapters also present conferences or daylong seminars, all of which add to your knowledge and skill base.
To get the most out of these events, network with others. Trade business cards. Offer to exchange information or resources. As much learning occurs during the breaks and informal networking as during the sessions.
If you network with many folks, jot a note on the back of each business card to remind yourself about the topic, what you were to send, or why you want to stay in touch with the person.
Ask others
Many other learning experiences exist, if you just ask.
Join an association or a group
Toastmasters, National Speaker Association (NSA), ATD, International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI), The eLearning Guild, and others are great groups of like-minded people for you to join. They provide opportunities for you to learn new skills, stay on top of the latest happenings in the profession, and network with others in the training profession.
Check out learning organizations’ websites. Find a chapter in your area. Most will invite you to attend a trial meeting to determine whether the group is right for you.
Connect with colleagues on LinkedIn or other social media. By reading their questions and responses, you will grow relationships and learn about best practices and learning opportunities.
Create mentoring opportunities
Identify another trainer whom you respect and would like as a mentor. I’ve had many mentors in my life. I’ve learned a great deal and have made many friends. We generally meet for lunch or coffee. Mentors are a great investment. Make it a two-way event with peer mentoring.
I’m currently searching for someone I can “hang around” during a custom-designed sabbatical. I’m looking forward to pushing myself onto the cutting edge of technology. There are so many opportunities for our profession in the future.
Determine where the experts hang out. Then go there. Sometimes this is a related association or an informal group. More-seasoned people and those with different experiences can offer you priceless advice and knowledge.
Train with a partner
Training with a partner is a unique way to learn from someone else. It allows you to observe another trainer, elicit feedback about your efforts, and learn new techniques and skills. Even if you don’t co-facilitate, invite another colleague to observe you during a virtual training session. Ask them to notice specific aspects of your delivery and solicit their input after the session. If you’re working to improve your virtual facilitation skills, your colleague could use the virtual trainer assessment that appears at the end of Chapter 7 as a guide.
Do it yourself
You don’t have to wait for a class or a conference or a meeting to learn. You can establish your own pace by reading books, journals, and blogs. You can listen to podcasts in almost any genre or register for a free or low-cost class for almost anything online. LinkedIn Learning is a great resource for learning content of every kind.
Read
I designed a training certificate program for a client, and as a part of my data gathering, I asked top training professionals what they did to maintain their expertise. Everyone stated that they read. And they didn’t just read a book or two. They read lots! They devoured the printed word. Some subscribed to (and read) dozens of journals, blogs, and magazines. Others read nearly 20 books every month. This behavior represents the experts in our profession; they must be onto something!
Subscribe to and read professional journals such as Training Magazine and TD. Read general business magazines such as Fortune, Business Week, and the Harvard Business Review. Read the journals published by your company’s or your client’s industry. And read cutting-edge journals such as Fast Company.
Identify resources
Many other resources exist. You can listen to audiobooks while driving longer distances. Organizations sell recordings of conference presentations. Download and listen to podcasts. Electronic newsletters and blogs are everywhere. Subscribe to several until you find your favorites.
You can be a resource to yourself. In fact, you will be your own best critic. Video an actual training session and play it back to identify what you like and don’t like about your training style. If you think recording the session will be disruptive, you may want to record yourself during a practice session or just audio-record your session using your smartphone. Even without the visual portion, you’ll critique the audio portion of your training session.
Learning and growing are ongoing processes, even if you’re at the top of your profession. Often it’s what you learn after you “know it all” that counts. Aspire to the best of your profession.
Become the professional you want to be
What do you want to do? How do you come across to others? How do you want others to perceive you? What do you consider your success plan? Do you have one? I ask only to encourage you to reach your goals and satisfy your desires. Without your personal success plan, that’s not likely to happen.
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy has conducted research that demonstrates how power posing — standing in a posture of confidence — affects testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain. This is true even when we don’t feel confident. In addition, her research shows that how we stand might even have an impact on our chances for success. These are the kinds of things all trainers need to know, for two reasons. First, it is knowledge for your own development and success. Even more important, this is the kind of information to share with your participants. Check out her TED Talks (search www.ted.com for “Amy Cuddy”).
Amy Cuddy is just one person who has a provocative message that can help all of us. Who else do you admire? Whether they are in this profession or not, you can learn much from them. Read their books, read their blogs, listen to their podcasts. Then branch out to other people. Smart and successful people always lead you to other smart and successful people.
Sign up for webcasts and webinars. Yes, you can learn something about the topic (one of my favorites is the Zenger | Folkman webinars about leadership), but in addition, you get tips about how to be a better virtual facilitator. ATD offers webcasts from other professional trainers. What a gift that could be for you to gain ideas about how to become the professional you want to be. You can learn both content and delivery techniques. Training is a wonderful profession, but only you can to do what it takes to fulfill your desires.
Going the Extra Mile: Stay on Top of Your Game!
Go the extra mile? Gosh! Isn’t becoming a lifelong learner enough? Well, learning new skills is just the beginning. Going the extra mile means that you’re looking for ways to constantly improve. How can you be more than a good trainer, a great trainer? In addition, how can you keep your energy up all the time, even if this is the 49th time you have conducted the same session? Is it really possible to still be enthusiastic and energetic? Yes, it is!
Go from good to great
A widely read book, Good to Great (Harper Business, 2001), by Jim Collins, provides a format to think about how trainers can upgrade their skills (see Table 16-1). The left column in the table lists attributes of good trainers. But good can become great. Several ideas that take you from being good to being great are listed in the middle column. Space is available in the right column for you to add your thoughts about what you could do to move from the already good trainer you are to a great trainer.
Great trainers do everything that good trainers do, but so much more and so much better. Invest in yourself. Go from good to great. Believe in yourself. If you don’t, who will?
TABLE 16-1 Good to Great Trainers
Good Trainers | Great Trainers Also … | To Be Great I Will … |
|---|---|---|
Design and deliver training that addresses all learning preferences | Spend quality time with individuals to ensure that each participant’s learning needs are met |
|
Know their content well | Constantly update and improve content based on organizational and industry needs |
|
Have excellent presentation skills | Seek opportunities for feedback; practice to fine-tune |
|
Are flexible when difficult situations arise | Have backup plans and options ready |
|
Are enthusiastic about the training topic | Inspire participants |
|
Are informed about the most recent developments in their fields | Become experts and contribute to the field by writing articles and books |
|
Effectively manage the learning setting | Provide feedback and implement improvements |
|
Ensure that participants learn | Ensure that knowledge is applied to the job; follow up after training |
|
Are good communicators | Are flexible communicators, moving into others’ comfort zones |
|
Are a model of what they train | Ensure that participants are models as well |
|
Where’s your energy? Stay pumped!
Imagine this: You’re about to go into a training program that you’ve taught countless times. You’re starting to lose interest in the topic and are wondering how to get through this without being monotonous and boring. Here are some thoughts about how you can make every training session seem as exciting as your first:
- Recharge your batteries every day. You owe it to your participants to give every session everything you have. Self-talk works for me: “This will be the best darn training these participants have ever experienced!”
- Even though the topic is not new to you, it is to the participants. Remembering that they may be hearing the information for the first time is exciting. Determine how to have more participant involvement to experience the topic from another perspective.
- Do something that’s just a little crazy; for example, if you’re showing a video, serve popcorn; ask participants to use crayons for a particular activity; on a nice day, hold a discussion outside; in a virtual setting, turn the facilitation over to a participant.
- Use previous evaluations for the program to determine an area for improvement. Then integrate improvements into the next program. By striving for continuous improvement, you will never have to train the same program twice.
- A day before the session, examine the part of the program you dislike the most. Chances are, it never was right for you. In my case, it usually comes down to doing more presenting and having less interaction. Rework that part of the program so that it eliminates the reason you don’t like it. In my case, that means identifying a way to increase participation.
- Observe someone else conducting the session (or other sessions) to identify new presentation or facilitation techniques.
- Page through one of the 101 Ways to Make Learning Active (Wiley, 2018) books, one of Thiagi’s activity books, ATD’s The Book of Road-Tested Activities, (Pfeiffer, 2011) or another activity book to add a new or revise a timeworn activity.
- Experiment with activities that you haven’t used before: funneling; a fishbowl discussion; an in-basket; or a relay.
- Try a new presentation technique or media; for example, use a related TED Talk or conduct a debate.
- Conduct research about a topic (using the Internet, journals, books) so that you have new information to share or to feel better prepared.
- Invite a guest speaker to conduct the part of the workshop that is most energy draining for you.
- Co-facilitate a portion of the session, perhaps by role-playing with the other trainer or introducing a “point-counterpoint” type of discussion.
- Get to know the participants personally. Doing so helps you appreciate how much they need the information you have to give.
- Identify new energizers to use with the group each day. Energy is contagious. You will catch it from the participants. Check Becky Pike Pluth’s book, Webinars with WOW Factor (2021).
- Find cartoons or quotes that relate to the session and introduce them after breaks or as energizers.
- The night before the session, pull out your smile file that’s filled with thank-you cards, fabulous evaluations, special notes, cartoons that make you laugh, clippings, or articles about you. Spend 20 minutes looking through it. What? You don’t have a smile file? Better start one today.
- Approach every training program as though you want it to be your best ever. Remember how good you feel after you’ve completed training sessions that the participants love.
- Try reverse psychology: Think about the worst job you ever had (mine was making plastic wastepaper baskets on the midnight shift) and compare conducting the training to it.
- Determine a reward for yourself following the training session.
- Now identify two more things that keep you going and write them down.
Design
If you design often, take care that you don’t fall into a rut of doing the same things over and over. Try something new. It keeps your designs fresh and keeps you inspired and interested.
Plan to include a new type of activity in each program that you design. If you have never used a game show to review material, build one in. If you rarely use guest speakers or role plays, consider them. There is such a wide variety of activities; you may never run out of ideas.
What does being professional mean to you?
Every trainer needs to define what it means to be “professional.” Take time to determine what it means to you to be a true professional. Write your thoughts out on paper. Share them with others. Consider it for a panel discussion topic at your local ATD chapter meeting.
Develop your personal training code of ethics; that is, what you intend to live by and honor as a trainer. It could include delivering only the highest quality training; always giving credit to others to whose work you refer; holding confidential information close; and respecting all learners. A code of ethics gives you a guide, something to live by and on which to base decisions.
To get you started thinking about what it means to be a professional, interview another trainer whose work you respect and who has been around the profession for a while.
Bob Pike has been a part of the training profession since 1969. He has inspired hundreds of thousands of trainers through his Creative Training Techniques workshops. Bob is also the author or editor of more than 20 books, including the best-selling The Creative Training Techniques Handbook. The focus of his work is on using involvement and participation at all levels to drive greater results. Bob is my model of a consummate professional trainer. In the sidebar “Ten core skills of a master trainer,” he presents ten core skills all professional trainers should live by.
Giving Back to the Profession
All trainers receive advice and ideas from others throughout their careers. Therefore, all trainers owe something to the profession. How can you give back?
- Publish what you have learned or your ideas for others to consider. Training Magazine and TD are two publications that print articles by practitioners.
- Volunteer for your association. It might be ATD or another training or talent development group. Chapters are always looking for facilitators.
Write a book. ATD Press, John Wiley, Inc., Berrett-Koehler Publishers, and HRDQ are all trainer-friendly publishers.
If you’re interested in publishing, contact these publishers and ask for a publication calendar from the periodicals or speak to an editor about the topics they want to publish.- Accept invitations to be a part of a panel discussion, or present at your local professional chapter meeting.
- Submit a proposal to speak at a conference.
- Be a contributor to your local chapter of NSA or ATD: Present at meetings, volunteer to chair committees, or support the fund-raisers.
- Mentor someone entering the training field.
- Send a thank-you card to someone who has contributed to the profession.
- Present at your local grade school or high school for career day.
- Provide pro bono work for a local nonprofit organization.
- Start a scholarship fund.
Giving back to the profession is good for the soul. Find a way to volunteer today.
Training is a profession that gives a great deal to its members. Think about how you can give back to the profession, your community, and individuals. Yes, it takes a great deal to be a professional trainer. You can do it. Be all the things that you are capable of being. Thomas Edison believed that “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” Go ahead. What’s stopping you? Astound yourself.