It struck me recently as I was planning my summer holiday, that my job as an invisible trainer, has many similarities with that of a travel writer. Unlike the locals (employees), I am not immersed in the community; I do not know all of its ways and customs. But also unlike the locals, I am fascinated about the world in which they live in, and see the beauty and wonder that they take for granted.
A lot of the work of the invisible trainer is designing self-directed programmes and like a travel writer, I visit each place (company) with excitement, not quite knowing what I will find with a view to creating a ‘rough guide’ to the topic in hand. And what a wealth of great stuff I usually find!
It is fascinating to explore the company, talk to the ‘locals’ and find out what they think is useful and worthwhile. I go off on my own, and rummage through intranets and learning libraries. I get to talk to the ‘village elders’ who have so much experience, and the newly initiated who have so much hunger to learn. As an invisible trainer, I am honoured to walk amongst the people, but not become one of them (I am not bound by their rules, politics and customs), and that can give great insight.
Then, I sit down and I write the ‘Tourists Guide to...’ whatever it is (induction, performance management etc). I create road maps to show people how they can get from A to B, and highlighting some useful/interesting things on the way. I share tips from the locals, provide signposts to what’s available (in terms of resources), and suggest great places (and people) to visit. I suggest different ‘itineraries’ of activity, depending on what people want to do. It makes the place (company) much easier to navigate, and helps people to get the most from their time there.
And so, the invisible trainer is like Bill Bryson. We don’t create the places or experiences we write about, but we aim to make them a little more accessible, and a little more appealing. Oh...and we have a brilliant time doing it!
The Invisible Trainer
