Page 357 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:03 PM Page 346
346 The Creative Training Idea Book
Set an
environment
of trust
Encourage questions Stress a safe
and honest challenges environment
Facilitate
rather than
direct learning
Use solid
people skills

Plan and
Be approachable
practice

Preventing
Resistance

Seize opportunities Provide appropriate
to recognize feedback
Use attentive
silence

MINDMAP 2. Preventing Resistance

• Accept, rather than deflect input.
When learners provide comments, ideas, responses, suggestions, or other input,
even when you know it is incorrect, accept it. Thank the person for offering the
information and either respond to it or open the floor to others with, “What do
the rest of you think about what ____ just said?” This acknowledges the input as
important and encourages future participation. Eliciting comments from others
takes you out of the position of being the expert or disciplinarian, or possibly hav-
ing to dispute a point. It also prevents the learner who offered the comment from
looking “dumb” in front of peers, which might cause him or her to withdraw and
shut down.