facilitation

The Power of Stories and Training

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Stories can be used quite effectively for training. Often, training consists of a PowerPoint deck, a presenter that talks a lot or tons of handouts.  Engaging it is not.  But stories can bring content to life and stories are everywhere; you just need to look!

  • Stories make the content relatable and easier to remember.
  • Stories help the learner construct knew knowledge by taking current knowledge and applying in a new or different manner.
  • Stories provide examples which helps when a learner needs to make a decision.
  • Stories give the learner the ability to recall and use information when they are on the job and in their own context.

So how do you effectively use stories in training?  Start with throwing the learner into the action.  Or focus on something the learners care about right away.  Build opportunities for the learner to discover and give the learner the challenge of solving a problem.

Some tips:

  • Start with discovery
  • Focus on a central challenge
  • Give learners resources to uncover answers
  • Make the transformation obvious.

Think about the last training you went to.  Can you remember the discrete facts and figures shared?  Probably not.  But if you were lucky and the facilitator shared stories, I bet you can remember the story and possibly even have shared the story with someone else!  Stories are powerful in so many ways,  so the next time you are developing training, choose to center your content around stories and watch the magic happen.

 

Diversity Training

Posted on by Seniye Groff

Last week I delivered diversity training to Dress for Success.  I have been a volunteer at DFS for 12 years (and that is longer than I have stayed at any paying job).  My interest in diversity training began when I was working on my thesis for my masters.  I realized I had a wealth of experiences that shaped my view of the world.  For example,  when I lived in St. Croix I quickly learned what it was like to be a minority.  At the time, out of 60,000 island residents, only 5,000 were Caucasian.  It was a great lesson for me.  This experience coupled with moving about every 11 months including Central America, the Middle East and throughout the U.S. gives me a broad frame of reference, as well as, lots of stories and experiences to share throughout my training session.

And the session really went great.  The group of new volunteers were engaged, interactive and really interested in the content, activities and stories.  They shared their experiences and overall realized how their lens “cloud” their views of how they perceive others.  The volunteers walked away with a new awareness and a new perspective.  It will go a long way to aid in their interactions with each other, as well as, the clients that DFS serves.

Training for Trainers

Posted on by Seniye Groff

I have been speaking with a company based in the Netherlands about coaching learners that want to be trainers.  They had 127 applicants, 30 interviews and then I was chosen!  I am not sure how many they are going to ultimately hire, since they are just getting started. It is an interesting model, though.  They provide an inital free webinar on some training and facilitation basics with the hope that you will sign up for the certification series.  Once you sign up for the certification you are paired with a mentor/coach (this is where I come in) to work with you on a project.  The coach provides feedback and direction, submits the final project for grading and if you pass you obtain your certification.  I have no idea how busy I will be with this project but I liked the global aspect, as well as, all coaching done via Skype and email.  I will keep you posted!