Page 361 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

lucas chap 09 11/20/02 1:03 PM Page 350
350 The Creative Training Idea Book
• Emotional baggage
Many participants have experienced negative educational or training sessions in
the past and bring their perceptions about such training with them to your ses-
sions. Other emotional issues come in the form of learner immaturity, insecurity,
and feelings of inadequacy or superiority. All of these can impact learner behavior
and your session.
• Professional issues
Distractions can occur when a participant is dealing with workplace issues, for
example, project deadlines, workload, performance appraisal issues, supervisory
or peer conflicts or changes, job changes, or other similar issues.
• Personal issues
Like professional issues, events in a learner’s personal life can also distract from his
or her ability to focus on session topics, for example, financial, family health, mar-
ital, dependent problems, or other home life issues.
• Previous experiences
If a learner has attended programs similar to the one that you are offering, you may
have to prove why yours is better or will help him or her further. Some organiza-
tions continually offer professional development opportunities for employees
and require that they attend. The result is that you must show AVARFM to partic-
ipants so they recognize a personal value to learning. Otherwise, they may come
in with the attitude that your program is just a rehash or what they know, or is the
flavor of the month, which will pass if they just attend and sit quietly, then return
to work. Chances are that in such situations, there is no accountability to apply
what was covered once employees return to the workplace. So, it does not really
matter whether they learn anything or not.

Taking Action to Reduce Resistance
Resistance can be annoying and detrimental to the success of your session. It must be
dealt with professionally and swiftly. In dealing with resistant learners, make it appear
as smooth and effortless as possible. This is a sign of your professionalism and is accom-
plished through planning and research on dealing with such behavior in advance. Attend
courses and read books on training techniques and on interpersonal communication
skills. Learn a variety of strategies for dealing with difficult personality types and behav-
iors, then use them. Become a student of human behavior.

BRIGHT I DEA

Taking Action to Reduce Resistance
o help you decide on a course of action, review the causes for resistance you
Tread earlier. Also, get answers to the appropriate questions below. Some of
these can be answered through a needs assessment conducted prior to or at the
beginning of your session.