One of the really interesting things about being an invisible trainer, is the way that people genuinely open up to you when you are conducting research. I sometimes imagine this is how it must feel to be a priest.

As an outsider, I'm a figure of curiosity. I'm open about the fact that I have a blank sheet of paper, and am learning about their role, the business, the issues that they face. Nine times out of ten, as soon as people feel that they have a sympathetic ear...its like the floodgates opening. Of course, my job then to work out what is representative or valid, and what are just personal issues - another great challenge!

I then to get to feedback the 'headlines' of my research, and incorporate key or recurrent issues into the training solution to make it more bespoke and aid the transfer of learning.

So why do people tell me, an 'invisible trainer' when they may not tell anyone else? Precisely BECAUSE I am invisible. I'm not their manager, so negative remarks cannot be seen as performance issues. Even positive suggestions cannot be seen as an attempt to undermine the manager. I'm not HR, so nothing can be taken as a grievance. I'm not even the trainer, because in a training room, comments aren't anonymous and colleagues may not take my views seriously.

True, comments made to an invisible trainer may not result in any action, but they have been HEARD. The Hawthorne effect occurs, and even before we start, training is starting to have an impact.

Sheridan Webb

Keystone Development