The last few weeks I have been relating some wisdom from marketing guru and author Seth Godin to training. I found Godin’s latest book WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN (an it is always your turn) to be full of gems of wisdom. On page 112 he writes:
“I’ve discovered that there’s one thing (and only one thing) that separates successful students from the unsuccessful ones.
The good ones show up and say, “teach me.”
They look at failure and confusion as temporary conditions and say, “that did’t work, show me another way.”
They are thirsty.
The other students have their arms crossed. They want to know if it’s on the test. They are restless. They need to be sold before they can be taught.”
As you read this excerpt you likely said to yourself, “That describes the people in my classes. They sit there with their arms crossed with the attitude ‘I dare you to teach me’.”
What about you? Does it also describe you when you are the learner and not the teacher? I have taught a lot of instructor courses and delivered instructor development courses, workshops, seminars and keynotes and I see the same behaviours from trainers.
If you want to be a great trainer, you must also be a committed learner and stay thirsty. Thirsty for knowledge, meaning, wisdom, and connection. Thirsty for new ideas and new ways of teaching and training. And, thirsty for better ways to sell those in your class who have their arms crossed and need to be sold before they can be taught.
You can quench your thirst through books, courses, seminars, podcasts, webinars and conferences like ILEETA.
In a recent conversation with a great trainer from York Regional Police we were discussing the value of attending the annual ILEETA Conference. That value comes in many forms:
- It can validate that you are on the right track with your training.
- It opens your eyes to how much you don’t know, and how much you still have to learn.
- It allows to you create connections with other trainers who face the same challenges, obstacles, budget cuts, time constraints and crossed arms. Those connections allow you to reach out to get ideas, insights, lesson plans, strategies and training recommendations.
- It recharges your batteries and reenergizes you for another year.
- It quenches your thirst.
- It inspires you to stay thirsty.
To be a great trainer. Start by being a great learner.
Stay thirsty my friend.
(I am developing the Excellence in Training Membership Site to help you quench that thirst. Details coming soon.)
Take care and always remember Life’s Most Powerful Question – What’s Important Now?
Brian Willis
Winning Mind Training – Inspiring Change through Excellence in Training.
Interested in hosting an Excellence in Training Presentation, Seminar or Course? Then reach out to me at winningmind@mac.com and we can work together to determine what will best suit your needs. Make sure you ask about the Seminar / Mentor package.
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