When a new trainer enters the corporate training market, it’s common to feel the pressure to impress the audience. Many trainers experience this phase, striving to establish credibility and impact.
However, the real challenge lies in overcoming internal inhibitions, the self-conscious feelings that make it difficult to act naturally. Maintaining authenticity is crucial for building trust, delivering effective training sessions, and sustaining your energy in the long run.
So, how can one do this?
1️. Be Yourself
Don’t try to emulate other trainers or adopt a persona that doesn’t align with your natural style.
Authenticity shines through when you are true to yourself. Your unique personality and perspective can be your strengths in engaging participants. It’s easier to be yourself, share your stories – both triumph and blunders, and stop trying too hard to impress them.
2. Practice Empathy
Understand the challenges and goals of your participants. Empathise with their experiences and demonstrate empathy in your interactions. This empathetic approach creates a connection and fosters an authentic environment.
Familiarity with the subject matter allows you to do this better too. It gives you the space to focus on the audience rather than being preoccupied with trying to impress by parading your knowledge.
3. Engage in Conversations
Instead of a one-way lecture, encourage discussions and questions during the training sessions. This interaction creates a more relaxed and natural environment.
Acknowledge when you don’t know something and offer to find the answer later, demonstrating authenticity and a commitment to learning together.
Remember, training is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Authenticity and a genuine desire to help your audience grow will ultimately lead to successful and fulfilling training sessions.
Over time, you will be able to build a reputation as a trainer who connects with participants on a deeper level, making a lasting impact in the corporate training market.