1. Tell, Show, Illustrate
Although this approach is quite old, it has been well-remembered. Tell is to describe the process in detail, e.g. “We’ll open the valve with this spanner, and then collect the oil, etc., and we will continue to the end of the process.” Next, show all components, tools, equipment, and paperwork. Finally, complete the job that you have described and demonstrated. This is called “illustrate.”
2. Let the Trainee Follow the First Two Steps
Encourage the trainee to show and tell. Be patient. Let them go through the process, and help them if necessary. Do not “jump in” when they hesitate. Ask questions to stimulate their memory. If the trainee is able to “tell”, use the same techniques for helping them “show”.
3. Do you “Illustrate” separately?
Only allow the trainee to “illustrate” after they have demonstrated their ability to show and tell. To avoid making mistakes when actually performing the job, you must do your best to “illustrate.” It is important to practice the skill by getting tell and show down pat. It can be slow. It’s well worth the effort and time.
4. Practice makes perfect
One person once said, “A professional practice until he can get it right; an amateur practices until it’s perfect.” You can’t do your job as a trainer unless the trainee proves that they “can’t get things wrong”. You should allow trainees to practice under your supervision.
5. Encourage, Encourage and Encourage strong>
Although it may seem difficult, try to remain positive and encourage others. It can be frustrating to train on the job, especially if the trainee doesn’t understand it. Do not criticize, especially if it involves personal comments. You have a strong interest in the competence of trainees. Your life will be easier if they do a good job.
6. Demonstration is What Matters
If a trainee can clearly describe what they want to do, it’s easy for them to believe they can do something. This is a false impression. You can only consider yourself a trainer if a trainee can do something to your satisfaction. It is not enough to simply tick a box or write a phrase like “training completed” on a document. Demonstrating competence can be a measure of completion.
7. Take a Bit at a Time
Divide the task into smaller, but still complete sections. Confidence is the best way to teach trainees. You can build your confidence by focusing on the parts of the job they are proficient in. Do not try to teach multiple jobs at once.
Conclusion
When your employees are competent, you are the main beneficiary. This is a key point to remember. It is in your best interest to take job training seriously. Make sure that your trainers are doing the same.
Leon Noone assists managers in small-medium businesses to increase on-the-job performance without having to take training courses. His ideas are very unconventional. Leon challenges the conventional wisdom on people management and management training. He is also effective in job performance in small-medium businesses.
