Page 345 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:02 PM Page 334
334 The Creative Training Idea Book
BRIGHT I DEA
Learn from the Experts
iving information to large groups can be a stressful event. Some researchers
Ghave found that public speaking is the number one fear of most people
(glossophobia), even before fear of death. Presenting information or giving a
speech can be especially unnerving if you are unsure of what you will say or do.
That is why practice is your best tool for success.
Fortunately, many people have presented before you and have left behind
valuable advice in the form of audio- and videotapes. Take advantage of their
expertise by going to a library, searching the Internet, or visiting a video or audio
store to get tapes or CDs of dynamic speakers of our time. Listen to books on tape
and follow their model for inflection and emphasis when you facilitate. Some of
the more powerful speakers of the twentieth century were Dr. Martin Luther King,
John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Adolph Hitler, and Jesse
Jackson. Whether you agree with their messages or politics does not reduce their
success. You can also study the voice and mannerisms of nationally known radio
and television personalities.

QUESTIONING WITH A PURPOSE

One key tool you have for gaining involvement and gathering information from learn-
ers in your sessions is the art of questioning. I believe that asking questions appropri-
ately is truly an art because not everyone can do it well. The result of inappropriately
worded questions is that you get what you ask for. If you ask the wrong question, you
get unintentional, useless information that can lead to frustration and the need for addi-
tional questions. A humorous example of this occurred in an exchange I had with my
85-year-old mother, who lives with my wife and me. Mom is a delightful person, is very
active, and likes to help around the house. One night, when I was working on a book
manuscript and my wife had not come home from work yet, mom wanted to be help-
ful and get dinner started. As I worked on the computer, she came in and asked if I would
like her to cook baked potatoes for dinner (a closed-ended question). I stated that would
be fine and went back to work as mom left. A few minutes later I noticed her stand-
ing in the doorway and asked what she needed. She asked, another closed-ended ques-
tion, “How many potatoes do you want? I was half listening and a bit irritated at the
second interruption because I was behind deadline for the manuscript. I replied, “One
is fine, thanks,” and went back to typing. I quickly realized that mom was still standing
in the doorway and as I looked up, she responded with a third closed-ended question,