The following is an excerpt from Robin Sharma’s book: “The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life”
“To be a Great Leader, First Become a Great Person. Lead yourself, Blake. Only then will you be able to lead others and influence those around you by the powerful example that you set.
Begin within, in a society that celebrates externals. Remember that greatness is an inner event with outer consequences. Once you awaken your inner leader, worldly success is the guaranteed result.”
The same advice applies to trainers. To be a great trainer, begin within. Become a great person and lead yourself.
Around North America I hear trainers complain about the officers in their agencies and how they never train on their own between mandatory training sessions. I hear trainers complain about people in their organization who will not attend training on their own time, or training they have to pay for out of their own pockets. These same trainers however, are often the one who themselves never train on their own. They never attend a course or conference on their own time or at their own expense. Like the officers they complain about they always have an excuse or justification. Excuses do not change the reality.
If you want to be a great trainer or teacher you have to lead yourself to become a great student. You have to continually engage in activities that will enhance your own knowledge and abilities. You have to read books, blogs and magazines. You have to listen to audio books and podcasts. You have to learn about the principles of adult educations and learn about becoming a better presenter, not just a better tactician.
Too often trainers place their entire focus on training skills. Skills training is important. Great skills however, without the ability to teach them to others is of limited use as a trainer.
In addition to learning and growing we need to find opportunities to share what we know with others. As I have said before knowledge is not power. Knowledge has the ability to empower. Knowledge however, is only of value when you find ways to share your knowledge and insights with others. Share your knowledge and insights by incorporating new concepts and ways of thinking into your training programs. Share your knowledge and insights by writing articles and submitting them to the various online publications. Share your knowledge and insights by submitting proposals to present at ILEETA or other conferences.
I would encourage you to take a few minutes and make a list of the courses and conferences you attended, books you have read, articles you have written and presentations you have done in the last 12 months. Once the list is complete make sure you make the time to celebrate what you have done and congratulate yourself for your accomplishments in the last year. The next step is to ask yourself what you need to do more of in the next 12 months to be a better student, a better trainer, a better leader and a better person.
Note: If I Knew Then 2: Warrior Reflections is now available at the www.warriorspiritbooks.com. The Release Special of $20.00 is only available until the end of April.
Take care.
Brian Willis
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