An ex-colleague of mine used to say that us trainers are a bit like actors. Regardless of how we're feeling on the day, we stand at the front and perform!
I regularly liken myself to an air steward when I'm delivering a training session. For up to seven hours on this long-haul "flight" I ensure I'm:
- All "eyes and teeth, eyes and teeth"
- Making my "passengers" aware of health and safety procedures
- Fulfilling basic human needs
- Keeping a keen eye on folk who are a little highly strung
- Asking one or two bods to stop playing with their mobile phones
- Dealing with people's "baggage" !!
Can you relate to my analogy? Have you any of your own?
Ade.
6 Responses
Loving the air steward
Loving the air steward analogy. Can definitely relate to that! I often use the actor analogy when training customer service. The uniform (if worn) or work clothes are their costume and the ‘shop floor’ is their stage. Asking them to write a review of their performance as if they were a film critic can help the point ‘hit home’.
Sue
That’s a really great idea,
That’s a really great idea, Sue! We deliver Customer Service training, too if I can pinch that idea?!
Any insights from the rest of the group?
Ade, love the analogy and can
Ade, love the analogy and can TOTALLY relate. Sometimes I feel more like a child minder or a zoo keeper, but that’s only on really bad days (thankfully rare). I have thought of the ‘acting’ comparison before and have even given myself the pre-talk “C’mon now Jane, game face on, smile, lift your shoulders, deep breath…” but I think I prefer your analogy.
Thanks Jane,
Thanks Jane,
When I start going around the room asking: “Tea? Coffee?” I’ll know I’ve taken it a bit too far!
Any other sparkling analogies out there?
Ade.
Hi Ade, I have often found my
Hi Ade, I have often found my job to be akin to a politician. I work internally in a highly charged, highly emotive industry where people are under the cosh and people often ask quite emotive questions. I have to ensure that I don’t let my personal opinions cloud the activities that I’m involved in or the way I answer the questions asked – not always easy.
Cheers Clive, sounds like you
Cheers Clive, sounds like you’re constantly having to check yourself? As you say, not easy!