Be the guide by their side.
As instructors and learning professionals we can often fall victim to one of the most common roles when sharing information. We become locked into our comfort zone and our preferred method of delivery. I have seen, and perhaps you have too, several of my colleagues slip into the pitfalls of learning professionals and forgetting their role.
While this may be a bit of a ‘meta’ concept and view of what our role truly is as instructors and learning professionals, let us not confuse our role with the goal. Our goal should always be to ensure that learning is happening and that our learners are getting what they need from our time together. Our role is determined by how we are facilitating this learning, and making the learning happen.
Throughout my career, I have encountered a variety of learning professionals from near and far. They are all talented individuals that brought a wealth of expertise and knowledge to their topics. This being said, I can say that we should always be learning from one another, no matter what it is, there is always value in learning.
After discussing this with a friend some time ago, we determined that most learning professionals, whether they are facilitating learning, instructing, presenting, or any combination of words that describe what they are doing, can be placed into one of the following categories based on their current role.
Dude With Attitude – Usually an SME (subject matter expert) They move around the room with confidence and can articulately answer all questions that are asked of them. This is the instructor that is the expert and wants you to know that he knows everything. Often their confidence and expertise can be seen as arrogance and will create a challenge when building credibility with their learners because they are seen as standoffish and arrogant.
To combat this, remain humble. Time with your learners should be about ensuring that they are receiving everything they need from your session, not about demonstrating how knowledgeable you are. The ability to lead your learners confidently is a skill to master, however, building credibility and generating rapport is essential to effective knowledge transfer.
Chump on the stump – This is usually an instructor that has become complacent The person stuck at the lectern or podium (stump). We experience this the most when the instructor is in their comfort zone at the lectern, or they are unprepared and have to rely on their on-screen notes. Most often the instructor will just talk at the class in a lecture. Remaining tethered to the lectern can impact their learner engagement, and creates a barrier between them and the learners. While it can be an effective approach, don’t be this guy.
To combat this, get out in front! Standing and providing your instruction has far more lasting effects than hiding behind a lectern or podium. Standing in front removes the ‘barrier’ between you and your learners, allowing you to engage with them in a more informal and personal learning experience. You will have more energy, which the learners will pick up on and lead to a better experience for everyone.
Sage on the stage – Usually a corporate trainer This is the prepared, confident, and charismatic instructor. This is the engaging instructor who promotes a positive learning environment and effectively facilitates learning. Preparation is everything to them. By preparing for their session and knowing their audience they can tailor any learning experience to their learner's needs.
To become the Sage on the Stage you must focus on preparation and engagement. Time must be invested in your content, and the environment to ensure that everything operates smoothly. Learner engagement is the focus of the delivery. Encourage all of the learners to participate in the discussion instead of just hearing the instructor speak. Ask questions of the learners, and have the class answer.
Guide By Their Side – This is a learning professional This learning professional has made it their mission to provide their learners with instruction that is relevant, meaningful, and engaging. They are focused on ensuring that their learners not only get to the desired learning outcome but that the learners can find the way there on their own after their time together is over.
What separates the ‘Sage on the Stage’ from the ‘Guide by the Side’ is the activity that happens after training is over. The ‘Guide’ is invested in success beyond the initial session and will reach out after the training has ended to follow up and ensure that what was learned is still being adhered to, and answer any questions that may arise.
Something to consider – being a Guide By The Side is an investment of self that the instructor makes with their learners. It is similar to the investment made by teachers and their students. The instructor must make a genuine effort to empathize and build rapport with their learners and invest themselves in the learning experience. Doing so creates a far more lasting impact than remaining at the lectern or engaging in discussion.
Zero to Hero – While not specifically a role, it should be our resulting goal. This
happens one of two ways; either we are the ones taking the learner from ‘Zero to Hero’, by providing them with exactly what they need so they are building confidence in their abilities, or we move from ‘Zero to Hero’ in the eyes of our learners by providing them with exactly what they needed from our time together by ensuring that their learning was relevant, engaging, and meaningful. If we can do that, then our job is done, and they will look forward to seeing us in the next class.
This has the most lasting effect because learners will find value in you and your delivery. Learning only matters if there is value in it. Be their hero.
At times we may find ourselves in one of these roles, at other times we may be navigating between them. Remember, the goal is to promote learning transfer and to ensure that we are aligned with our learning outcome. How we get there is up to you as the instructor.
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