The Trainers Blog

15 Top Tips on Dealing With Disruptive Behaviour In Your Training Room

1. Do not take it personally, know that this is not a personal attack and it is only this persons opinion.
2. Stay open minded, do not get defensive,
3. Know that the disruptive behaviour could have been triggered by many different reasons and more often than not these may have been triggered before your training even started.
4. Keep calm, take a deep breath or a drink of water to gather your thoughts and calm your mind. 
5. Think of how you can give great service to this person.
6. Think of this as a positive experience as it will help you grow and develop as a trainer.
7. Know that you are a great trainer and that you will do everything you can to solve the problem.
8. Deal with the disruptive behaviour immediately otherwise it could get worse and more difficult for you to deal with.
9. Take the person to the side and speak with them one to one rather than in front of the rest of the group.
10. Listen to them fully and let them share their thoughts and feelings before you say anything.
11. Get to the heart of the problem and encourage them to come up with solutions that will change how they are feeling and change their mindset and focus.
12. Know that every situation you will have to deal with will be different and that every person's emotions and behaviour will be different. So listen to what they are saying and show that you really care how they are feeling.
13. Always ensure that you are looking after the majority of your trainees and if the disruptive person is having a negative effect on all of your group then you MUST deal with it immediately.   Know that the longer you leave it the worse it will get.
14. If one approach is not working with this person then try a different one.  Do not keep trying the same approach.
15. To avoid disruption, at the beginning of the training set a code of honour.  This will be a set of rules/ guidelines that your trainees will agree to. Make it fun so it is not too serious.  Here are some examples of what you can put in the code of honour.
    • I will listen with an open mind.
    • I will give 100% throughout this training.
    • I will participate in all exercises and discussions.
    • I will think of my other trainees at all times. 
    • I will switch my mobile phone off and if I don't and it goes off I will pay £10 to the trainer's charity.
    • Etc

By doing this you will have everyone to buy in to your rules at the beginning of the session and you will be amazed as to how much respect you will gain for doing this.

 

Communication Icebreaker

Name of Icebreaker: Birthdays

Category of Icebreaker: Communication

Time Scales:  2 - 20 Minutes (Depending on Size of Group)

Size of Group: 10+ 

Materials Required:  None

Aim of Icebreaker:  To test the group’s ability to communicate with each other non-verbally and to achieve the task as a team.

Pre-Organisation

None

Process

1. Explain to your group that they are to get themselves in birth date order (emphasizing date) forming one long line with the beginning of the year at the front of the room. 
2. They need to ensure that you are in exactly the right order.
3. However, they are not allowed to speak to each other at all.  They need to communicate non verbally.
4. Give them a set time to complete the exercise in, depending on the group size.  It should take them about 2 minutes with 10 people.

Conclusion

This game identifies the need to communicate and the need to work as a team.  You may also identify leaders within the group who will take over organizing people and the differing personalities.

Discussion Points: How did they communicate?      

What did they find hard?

Did someone check to see if they were all correct?

How did the team work together?

Happy Training!

P.S Share your experiences of running this icebreaker here!

Questions, Questions, Questions!!!

Do you find that sometimes your attendees have so many questions that they interrupt your flow, they take up too much time, they make your session over run and often that question is going to be answered later on in your training?

So what do you do?

There are a few reasons as to why you are having so many questions.

• It may be because you are not explaining yourself well enough and your attendees need to ask questions to get more clarity.
• Your attendees may be really interested in the subject and want to find out more.
• Your attendees have differing opinions and want to understand more of your opinion.
• Your attendees are lacking in basic knowledge around the subject that you had expected they already have.
• They may have more generic questions that are not on the subject. i.e what time is lunch, because a) they were not listening or b) they have not been told.

Whatever the reason for your attendees question it is imperative that they are answered and not ignored.

So here are some techniques that you can use to help manage your attendees questions:

1. Ensure that your content is clear and that you have some form of exercise to help illustrate each section of content that you are delivering.  This will help your trainees understand your content to the maximum and it will minimise those questions.
2. At the beginning of your training, frame the structure of your training and ensure that you include how you are going to be answering questions.  So if your trainees do have questions, then you need to inform them how you want to take questions.  Here are some suggestions:
   1. Allow your trainees to ask essential questions as you go through the content.
   2. At the end of each section have a timed question and answer session.
   3. Encourage your trainees to write down their questions on a piece of paper and then put them in groups so they can then answer each other’s questions at the end of each session.
   4. Ask them to write down their questions, then you can create this in to a quiz, splitting your trainees into teams.  This enables your trainees to learn from each other’s questions and to add some fun into your training.
   5. Create a ‘parking lot’ - a place for participants to park their questions so you can answer them later on in the session or when you have more time.  Supply each of your trainees tables with a pad of post it notes and create a flipchart that you stick on the wall.  When a delegate has a question that does not fit with the topic that you are on, ask them to write it on the post it note and they can put it on the flipchart “The Parking Lot” when they have a break.  You will then come back to “The Parking Lot” at times throughout the training.
   6. When you are answering your trainees questions always involve all your attendees in answering those questions.
3. Always ensure that you are in control of question time and that your attendees do not take over.  If this happens this is when you will find that your questions will take too much time and you will lose many of your attendees attention. 

REMEMBER:  Always encourage your trainees to ask questions as this will stimulate their thinking and their learning and it will help your trainees get more involved and interested in the content that you are delivering.

What do you think about taking questions?  Do you use any other techniques to manage your questions?

 Happy Training!

 

Should Icebreakers Be Funny?

This is a question that I am hoping you will make a comment about because it is certainly up to personal preferences as to how you run your icebreakers and whether you want your group rolling around the floor laughing or not.

They do say that laughing is the best medicine and it has many benefits to the individual, such as; helping to release enzymes and hormones, helps reduce stress, increases the blood flow, I even read somewhere it helps to burn calories and improve weight loss. 

Not only does laughing have its health benefits it also enhances our ability to interact with others, brings people closer together, boosts self confidence and energizes us and increases our interest in daily activities.

Icebreakers can be used for so many different situations and occasions it is so important that you establish what you want your outcome to be when you are running your icebreakers.  In my opinion, Icebreakers are all about encouraging your group to interact and build rapport with others, to relax and feel comfortable in the surroundings and learn something about themselves, others and possibly the topic that they are learning.  So making the Icebreakers funny and encouraging your trainees to have a laugh can only create an even greater positive impact on the results that are achieved.

The definite big MUST for all your icebreakers and your training is that your trainees ENJOY what you are delivering, if they don’t then you will find that not only you will be bored yourself and end up hating what you do but also your trainees energy will be seriously low, they will learn anything and you will lose trust, respect and credibility as a trainer.

So make it fun, pick your icebreakers carefully and make sure that you are having fun too.  You do all that they you can only create positive results!! :-)

Happy Training!

P.S Enter your comments below, do you think Icebreakers should be funny?

 

Trainers, Centre Yourself!

When we are worried, our heads tend to be full of swirling thoughts “What if I’ve forgotten something?” “Do I look stupid in these clothes?” “Will the audience be kind to me?” “Will anyone notice I’ve forgotten to polish my shoes?”  This cacophony of noise in our heads does nothing to assist in the process of relaxation.  Merely telling yourself not to worry rarely helps the situation.  Sometimes you get an answer back “But there is so much that can go wrong!”

This state of affairs means that you are not centred.  To be strong you need to concentrate your energy around your centre which lies roughly behind your belly button.  Advocates of martial arts know this and practice bringing all of their energy to this area.  If all of our energy is in our heads we will be top heavy and vulnerable physically and mentally.

As you stand in your relaxed state, touch your finger onto your belly button and notice how the thoughts drain out of your head and flow down to your centre.  It might help to close your eyes as you do this and you will feel yourself becoming more stabilised and less apprehensive.

Much is written on training techniques about gaining rapport with your audience to ensure that you understand their needs before beginning on the training journey.  These relaxation techniques are simply about gaining rapport with yourself and understanding yourself before you attempt to lead yourself to a better state of mind.

Trainers, Be Aware of Your Own Posture!

If you find yourself sitting down with your legs tightly crossed, clutching your speech notes and with a knot in your stomach you are probably not assisting your own relaxation.  Stand up and pay attention to your posture.  Devotees of the Alexander Technique will recognise that holding your body correctly is an intrinsic part of feeling good about yourself and there is definitely a correct way to stand.

• Make sure your head is balanced on the end of your neck, not jutting forward, tilted to one side or leaning back.  Unclamp your jaw and ensure your tongue is not sticking to the roof of your mouth.
• Check that your neck is not compressed between your head and your shoulders.  Stretch your head upwards to open up your vertebrae.
• Ensure that your shoulders are down and back, allowing your chest to operate efficiently
• Make sure your spine is in balance, holding your weight over your centre of gravity.
• Is your stomach tense - try diaphragm breathing rather than stomach breathing.
• Don’t hold onto papers or put your hands in your pockets.  Shake out the tenseness in your arms and fingers and let your arms hang loosely by your sides.
• Keep your feet about shoulder width apart and shake out any muscle tension in your legs.
• If you are unnecessarily twitchy on your feet then imagine that you have massive Kangaroo feet for feet and this will help you keep balanced and centred on your stage.

Once your physical body is relaxed, it’s time to deal with your mental tension. (Coming next week!)

 

Icebreaker and Christmas Party Game That Will Guarantee Some Laughs!

Name                                          The Fruit Game

Time Scales                                 30 Minutes

Size of Group                              5+ (The More the Merrier!)

Materials Required                      None!

Pre Organisation

None

Process

1. Everyone sits in a circle, or around the dinner table and thinks of a fruit. 
2. Go round the circle and everyone must announce what fruit they are going to be.  You cannot have two people with the same fruit.  If you have more people than fruit you can use vegetables as well.
3. The team member must say their fruit and then someone else’s fruit. 
4. But there is a catch to this game!  Throughout the game you are not allowed to show your teeth at all.  So when you speak, laugh, yawn, sneeze, whatever you do you must hide your teeth with your lips.  (AND You are not allowed to put your hands in front of your mouth). 
5. Whenever someone shows their teeth they are out! 
6. Keep a good pace to this game otherwise it loses its momentum.
7. The game ends when one person wins.

So to start the game member 1 (who is an apple) says their fruit then another person’s fruit!

Apple to Banana

Then the banana person continues and says

Banana to Pineapple

Then the pineapple person continues and says

Pineapple to Fig

And so on!  But remember no teeth!

This game will guarantee some laughs!!!

For more games for you to play at Christmas and in your trainings for ONLY $5 or approx £3.50.

Remember to enter your discount code "christmasfun"

Click Here

Merry Christmas!

Love Philly x

2 Christmas Gifts for you!

Tis the Season to be jolly.....

So rather than sitting watching the telly, falling asleep after a big dinner, playing with your presents on your own or getting bored this Christmas....Why don't you do what you are great at, get your family and friends bonding by playing some great games together.

Here's one of my favourite Christmas Party Games for you!

Remember to get your second Christmas gift below.

Name:     Chocolate Game

Time Scales:   30 Minutes

Size of Group:  4 + (The More the Merrier!)

Materials Required Per Team: 1 Large Bar of Chocolate.  A pair of trousers, wellington boots, gloves, hats, scarves, jumpers.  One plate, a knife and a fork and one dice.

Pre-Organisation
Put the chocolate in the fridge the night before so it is harder to cut.
Collect up all the materials so you have them all ready.

Process
1. You can either play as one group or split into teams. 

2. The team sits in a circle with all materials and dressing up clothes in the middle. 

3. One team member throws the dice and it is passed around the circle until someone throws a six.

4. The first person that gets a six must then go to the centre of the circle and put all of the dressing up clothes on.  They then can enjoy eating as much chocolate as they can with the knife and fork, they must not use their hands. 

5. Whilst this person is in the centre the rest of the group keep throwing the dice and passing it around the circle until the next six is thrown. 

6. The next person who throws a six must then go into the centre.  The person in the centre must stop eating and take off all of the dressing up clothes and give them to the next person.  The next person dresses and starts to eat until the next six is thrown.

7. If you find that nobody gets to eat the chocolate because it takes too long to put the clothes on then take away an item of clothing.  This may vary depending on the age of your group. 

8. The game ends when the chocolate has all been eaten.

 

Here is your second Christmas gift....

I have put together all of my favourite party games that I play with my family every Christmas for you to enjoy, plus you can get a 66% Discount from today until midnight on Christmas Eve (UK time)!!

You can get this e-book for LESS THAN $5 when you enter your discount voucher code in the box at the check out!  It's my gift to you as a loyal reader of "The Trainer's Blog".

GET READY FOR A FUN FILLED CHRISTMAS!!

 Click here to buy now http://bit.ly/fxppA2

Your discount voucher code is "christmasfun"

In this e-book you will get 

• 17 quick and easy to run fun games,
• 10 great team games
• 20 brain teasers to get you thinking this Christmas! 

So no more getting bored this Christmas, enjoy the laughter and the fun by playing these games!

Just copy this voucher code down, click on this link and have fun this Christmas!

LESS THAN $5, that is 66% discount until Midnight on Christmas Eve!!

Click here now:

http://bit.ly/fxppA2

Your discount voucher code is"christmasfun".

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!

How to make a professional first impression.

Have you ever seen a Trainer or Presenter who looks as though they have not brushed their hair, not ironed their clothes and they really do not look the part?

 What first impressions do you make about that trainer?  

To be a professional presenter or trainer you need to gain respect from your participants from the start of your session, you need to impress them within the first 30 seconds of them coming into contact with you.  The way that you brand yourself is one of the most important factors effecting that first impression.

Here's how to establish your brand and create a professional lasting impression....

1.  Identify your brand, decide what image you want to portray. 
2. Make your brand recognisable, make it smart, make it memorable.
3. Follow your brand through your clothes, your advertising, your training materials and your website. 
4. Keep this consistent in everything that you do.
5. Make sure that your brand is smart & professional looking
6. Make your brand friendly to the eye so that you will develop a brand that your customers will remember.
7. Look at other trainers and presenters that you are inspired by, identify what you like about them, what you like about their brand and come up with something for yourself.
8. BE YOU.  Do not try and be someone else you will never be comfortable with it.

 Happy Training!

Snore, snore, snore.... Are you having problems with the “Graveyard” slot?

You have just come back from lunch, you are just getting into your afternoon session and your trainees seem to have lost their energy, they are slouching in their chairs, they are not participating  nor are they answering your questions.   It is like trying to get blood out of a stone. They are half asleep!

“ W A K E   U P ! ” 

Here are some tips on how to wake up your trainees and it is NOT by shouting “Wake Up!”. :-)

1. NEVER run a training or presentation where you just read off the power point slides, this will guarantee BIG snores!!
2. ALWAYS use open questions throughout your training to make your trainees think for themselves , to encourage their participation and increase their level of retention.  The more your trainees have to use their brain the less likely they will fall asleep!
3. ALWAYS involve exercises, energizers and icebreakers throughout your training to help raise the energy.
4. ALWAYS get them moving.  So whether it is just working in groups, split them up so they have to move around the room and get them to present back to the rest of the group.
5. ALWAYS make your content interesting and fun!  If it bores you it WILL bore your trainees.
6. ALWAYS make your training experiential so your trainees are doing things, moving their bodies throughout your training.
7. ALWAYS check in on how you are feeling, often your trainees energy is a mirror of what your energy is like.  So if you are lagging then introduce an energizer, icebreaker, exercise or even a break.
8. NEVER run a session of more than 20 minutes of data without your trainees having to move their bodies.  Give them a maximum of 20 minutes of data then introduce a partner share, an exercise, an activity, an icebreaker, something that will enhance their learning of the information that you have just shared and it will get them moving.
9. NEVER offer heavy carbohydrates as the lunch option!  Heavy carbohydrates are the worst food once eaten for having the feeling that you want to hide in the corner and fall asleep.  So, if you have control of what is served for lunch, make it light and healthy and try and keep your menu free from heavy rich food.
10. NEVER have the heating too hot in your training room.  Always ensure that your trainees are informed before the training that you are unable to get the temperature right for everyone so ask them to wear layers so they can put on / take layers as needed.  Have the temperature so it is comfortable for you.
11. ALWAYS have a good night’s sleep the night before your training so you are full of energy.
12. NEVER SKIP BREAKS!!  Many trainers get behind schedule so shorten their breaks or skip them completely.  You need these breaks to keep the energy flowing, to create movement, to keep your trainees minds focused on what you are delivering.  Where is your trainee’s mind when they need a toilet break?  It certainly is not on the content!!
13. Keep smiling and enjoy your training! :-)

Happy Training! :-)