Page 335 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:02 PM Page 324
324 The Creative Training Idea Book
otherwise view you as an authority figure who represents only the interest of manage-
ment or human resources.
Pay Attention to Learner Needs
By being vigilant and watching for verbal and nonverbal cues from your participants, you
can better identify what they need. Because people typically like it when others focus on
them or are attuned to their needs, doing so can go a long way in establishing rapport.
You can indicate that you are on the same wavelength as participants by listening as they
speak, giving appropriate verbal and nonverbal feedback, asking questions to draw out
dialogue, and using training strategies that actively involve them. For example, you can
start your session with an in-class needs assessment as described in Chapter 3.

Mirror Participant Behavior
Researchers in the area of neurolinguistic programming (NLP) have examined human
behavior for years in an effort to determine why some people seem to attract others
(charisma) and build almost instant rapport, whereas others do not. They found that
matching the pacing of someone’s speech pattern and movements can build trust and
acceptance. Some salespeople and therapists have used this technique successfully for
years, becoming rich and famous as a result.
You can incorporate the NLP technique into your training. For example, through
conscious effort to observe and listen to a participant’s speech and gestures you might
hear her say, “I cannot quite see your point.” You clarify and mirror, you might respond,
“So the example that I gave is hazy to you?” In effect, you are speaking similar language
and giving back what she gave you. Once she responds, “Yes,” you then try a different
approach to explain your point. Similarly, if a learner is excited about something and is
animated in voice and actions, you can respond in kind to indicate that you are on an
equal emotional level. This might involve increased vocal inflection or movements on
your part. Or, your expression of emotion might include high-energy words, such as
exciting, stimulating, or wonderful.
Remember what you read about visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners in Chap-
ter 1? By matching the language of participants exhibiting one of the three preferences,
you are incorporating NLP concepts (as in the preceding example of the visual learner).
The key to mirroring successfully is to do it intermittently based on what learners say.
If you react to each behavior or speech pattern presented by a participant you may be
perceived as mocking, insincere, phony, or making fun of the person. For more on NLP
(see Books under Resources for Trainers in the appendices). Howard 35 gives some good
examples of ways to establish rapport though NLP.

Be Credible

If you quote research or other sources, give specific citations to back your claims. Simply
saying, “Research has found . . .” is not enough. Such a statement actually opens you up
to challenge by some of the participant types described later in this chapter.