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January 26, 2021 By Brian Willis

What is the most important trait for a trainer?

This is an often-asked question at trainer conferences and instructor development schools. Traits that most often make the list are passion, credibility, knowledge and humility. 

I am going to suggest it is Curiosity. I believe trainers are in one of the most influential leadership positions in any organization and this is why Curiosity is the same trait I wrote about last year for the Dare to Be Great leadership blog about as the most important trait for leaders. 

Why Curiosity?

  • Curiosity keeps your mind, eyes and ears open to new ideas and better ways to teach.
  • Curiosity keeps you humble, as it is hard to be cocky and curious at the same time. 
  • Curiosity makes it ok to say, “I don’t know?”
  • Curiosity makes it ok to ask, “What do you think?”
  • Curiosity helps you realize that excellence, greatness and mastery are all journeys, and never end points. 
  • Curiosity inspires you to ask questions such as:
    • Will this enhance the competence and confidence of the people I am training?
    • Will this enhance the learning environment for the participants?
    • Will this enhance learning, understanding and retention?
    • Will this enhance the ability of the participants to apply this material in the real world?
  • Curiosity inspires you to read, listen, learn and grow.
  • Curiosity inspires you to wonder, “Is there a better way?”
  • Curiosity makes it ok not to know the answer.
  • Curiosity challenges you to ask, “Is this content still relevant?” 
  • Curiosity inspires you to seek the answer to the question, “What does the research show?”
  • Curiosity allows you to learn from the people you are teaching.
  • Curiosity leads to empathy. 
  • Curiosity inspires you to seek to connect the dots between what you are learning and what you already know. 
  • Curiosity leads to knowledge and understanding. 
  • Curiosity causes you to pause and reflect, which leads to insight and wisdom. 
  • Curiosity helps make you a better listener.
  • Curiosity helps make you a better leader.
  • Curiosity helps make you a better trainer. 
  • Curiosity inspires you to ask open-ended questions.
  • Curiosity inspires you to listen to the answers to those questions.
  • Curiosity inspires you to ask follow-up questions. 
  • Curiosity gives you permission to say, “I never thought that. Tell me more.”
  • Curiosity gives you permission to say, “I never thought of it that way. Tell me more.”
  • Curiosity keeps you thinking like a SMR (Subject Matter Resource) instead of an SME (Subject Matter Expert). 

I am curious. What did I miss from the above list?

I am also curious what you believe is the most important trait for a trainer. 

Take care.

Brian Willis

Winning Mind Training –  Dedicated to the heroic men and women of law enforcement.  

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