What is training? Who is a trainer?

Birds are gifted with the ability to fly just as fish spontaneously swim. Man is gifted with an intellect to question, think, reason, discriminate, innovate and create.

Possessing a violin does not make a person a violinist. In the same way, possessing an intellect does not necessarily make one intelligent. Rigorous training and practice is required to become an expert violinist. Basically, education trains the intellect to excel. Education begins with literacy. A literate person can learn and master any field of knowledge he wishes.

You would have heard about this incident (real or unreal? No idea!!!) many a times, but I would like to share it here again.

A machine stopped working in a factory and an expert was called to fix it. He studied the machine for some time, banged it in certain places, and set it right. A young graduate who was watching the expert asked, "How can you charge two thousand and two dollars for a couple of taps ?". The expert's answer was spontaneous. He said '' Two dollars for the taps and two thousand dollars for knowing where to tap.”

Indeed, once the subject has been mastered, one should be properly trained to use the knowledge.

So with this prelude let me just list out the essentials for a good trainer/training.

Qualities of a good trainer/training:

1. Knowing the audience

You have been chosen as a trainer means that you know the subject that you are going to train and you are identified as an expert. That forms the lifeline of training. Post that, knowing the audience forms the backbone. All strategies that you devise to train depend on your understanding of the audience.

2. Good training means being active.

Change the way training is done. Engage them in every section of training. Push them to think new things. Till the time the audience is engaged, they are active.

3. Laugh it out

Humor helps us to better handle what comes in life.

4. Ability to generate enthusiasm
Conscious elimination of negative emotions and cultivation of positive emotions lead to the overall emotional well-being of the student. Appreciate even small achievements. This will boost their confidence as they are congratulated and valued by everyone.

5. Show sensitivity towards  trainee's need

Evaluating the emotional well being of the student and guiding him towards greater emotional stability and strength is very important and critical these days.

6. Allow independent thinking

' Tomato is a fruit ' is information, ' not to put it in fruit salad ' is understanding, and ' allowing the learner to discover what happens when it is put in fruit salad ' is wisdom.

Taught knowledge is easily forgotten, but learned knowledge never is. So a trainer should kindle questioning and independent out-of-box thinking.

7. Create an ongoing learning environment (balance training and teaching)

There should be a right blend of theory and practice. Ensure that they know the fundamental principles and train them accordingly. In other words, create a learning environment that supports them to acquire the required knowledge. ( Don't expect them to know everything!!!)

So to put it simple, a trainer  is a guide, philosopher, coach, teacher, examiner, mentor, companion, friend, lantern, sign board, observer, motivator etc. The list is endless. 

Training and education are meant to bring about a creative, meaningful, sensitive change from within to without.

Let me quote Swami Chinmayanandaji with a slight modification,

“Trainees are not vessels to be filled, but lamps to be lit ”