Recently updated on September 23rd, 2024
Training facilitators, whether they work for a training provider or in-house for an organization, should aim to provide their delegates with meaningful results through the training they deliver.
What do we mean by “meaningful results”? We mean that delegates should leave every training session feeling motivated, inspired, and equipped with real skills that will have a direct impact on their day-to-day work.
To achieve this, trainers and facilitators need to possess the right mix of skills. This includes:
- Relevant expertise in the subject they are teaching
- The ability to design and deliver informative yet engaging training sessions
- The soft skills necessary to connect with and positively influence their delegates
In this guide, we take an in-depth look at these skills, plus others that facilitators should aim to have in order to deliver training that delivers real results for their delegates.
Let’s take a look at them 👇
The top skills trainers should have to deliver great training
1. Active listening skills and a talent for questioning
Active listening means fully engaging with delegates to understand their thoughts, needs, and concerns. It’s not just about hearing the words but really connecting with what participants are saying. Good questioning helps trainers explore topics more deeply and encourages delegates to think critically about the material.
Tips for improving active listening and questioning
Restate what you hear
After a delegate speaks, repeat back what you understood in your own words. For example, you could say, “It sounds like you found the last exercise difficult because it didn’t relate to your job.” This shows that you’re listening and helps clarify any misunderstandings.
Use open-ended questions
Ask questions that can’t be answered with just “yes” or “no.” Instead of asking, “Did you like this part?” try asking, “What did you think about this part?” This encourages delegates to share more of their thoughts and feelings.
2. The ability to give feedback in a constructive way
Constructive feedback is essential for growth. It helps delegates understand where they can improve while keeping their confidence and motivation intact. When trainers provide feedback effectively, it encourages a positive learning environment.
Tips for delivering constructive feedback
Use the “Sandwich” Approach
Start with something positive about the delegate’s performance, then mention an area for improvement, and finish with another positive comment. For example, you might say, “You did a great job engaging the audience! One thing to work on is providing more examples to support your points. Overall, your enthusiasm really shines through!”
Be clear and specific
Instead of saying something vague like “You need to do better,” give clear examples of what they can improve. For instance, you could say, “In your presentation, try to include specific data to back up your claims. This will make your argument stronger.” This kind of feedback gives delegates a clear idea of what steps to take next.
3. A genuine interest in people, coupled with empathy
Empathy and an interest in the people you’re delivering training to helps you connect with them on a personal level. When you demonstrate empathy, you can better understand participants’ emotions, perspectives and where they’re at in their mind, which helps to grow trust and a more open learning environment.
Share personal stories
Incorporate relevant personal anecdotes into your training to illustrate key points. Sharing your own experiences can humanize you as a trainer and create a sense of relatability. When delegates see that you are open about your journey, it encourages them to share their own stories and fosters a more empathetic and connected learning environment.
Ask open-ended questions
Encourage delegates to share their thoughts and feelings by asking open-ended questions that invite deeper responses. For example, instead of asking, “Did you find this topic useful?” you could ask, “What aspects of this topic resonate with your personal experiences?” An approach like this allows delegates to express themselves more fully and gives you insight into their perspectives.
4. Confidence and ease when presenting in front of an audience
Confidence and ease when presenting in front of an audience are important qualities for facilitators. When facilitators exhibit confidence, it improves their credibility, and creates a positive and engaging learning environment for delegates.
A confident presenter can adapt their delivery style to resonate with different audiences, and tailor their delivery to help the delegates taking a training session achieve their learning objectives in the most effective way possible.
Tips for building confidence when presenting
Practice your delivery with peer feedback
If you have the opportunity, before delivering your training session, practice your presentation in front of a trusted colleague or friend. Ask them to provide constructive feedback on your delivery style, clarity, and engagement techniques. This practice can help you identify areas for improvement and build your confidence in a supportive environment.
Take part in public speaking programs like Toastmasters to improve your public speaking
Public speaking programs like Toastmasters is an effective way to improve your public speaking skills. These programs provide a structured environment where individuals can practice and refine their communication abilities while receiving constructive feedback.
No matter where you’re located the chances are there will be a local toastmasters community that you can join or try out to see if its something you’ll get value from.
5. Able to coach and motivate delegates
Beyond delivering content, trainers often need to guide delegates through personal and professional development challenges, motivating them to apply what they’ve learned. You can begin this coaching process before you even deliver the session.
When designing a session, make sure to include relevant real-world case studies that relate to the content you’re delivering. To improve the relevance of these case studies and examples, tie them to outcomes that can be achieved if participants excel in the training.
For example, if you have an example of a previous delegate who took the training session you’re going to deliver and successfully developed their career as a result, be sure to share this story with future participants.
Tips on coaching and motivating delegates
Set clear goals together
At the beginning of the training, work with delegates to establish specific, achievable goals related to the content. Encourage them to share their personal objectives for the training. A collaborative approach not only gives participants a sense of ownership but also provides a clear framework for measuring progress throughout the session or course.
Use positive reinforcement
Recognize and celebrate small achievements during the training. Whether through verbal praise, acknowledging contributions in group discussions, or providing constructive feedback, positive reinforcement boosts morale and encourages delegates to stay engaged.
6. Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication
Having effective verbal and non-verbal communication are important skills to actively develop so you can improve the information you convey to delegates, and the results they get from your training.
Clear verbal communication helps convey information effectively, while non-verbal cues—like body language and facial expressions—reinforce the message and engage the audience.
Tips on improving your verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Engage in active listening
Show delegates that you are listening by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and responding to participants’ comments. Repeat or summarize what they say to confirm understanding. Active listening can make participants feel value and encourage them to engage more openly within a training session.
Be mindful of your body language
Use positive body language to emphasize your message. Stand confidently, use hand gestures to highlight points, and maintain an open posture. Make eye contact with different participants to create a connection and keep them engaged throughout the session.
7. Adaptability to different learning styles
Delegates have varied preferences for how they receive and process information, and effective facilitators need to be able to create and deliver sessions that are structured and set up to be effective for visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners.
Tips on creating training that’s suitable for different learning styles
Use a variety of teaching methods
Use a combination of visual aids (like slides and videos), discussions, and hands-on activities in your sessions. A mixture like this helps you engage visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners within one session.
Mix up your delivery style
Within a training session try and mix up the delivery style regularly. For example, you could spend the first twenty minutes of a session delivering content through a PowerPoint, the next twenty getting your delegates to take part in a relevant movement activity, and then spend the last part of your session recapping with delegates on what they’ve learnt.
8. Proficiency with new and emerging technologies
Being proficient with new technologies is crucial for trainers today, particularly with AI having an impact on training design and delivery. Many training sessions rely on digital tools for delivering content, engaging participants, and assessing their understanding. When trainers are comfortable using these technologies, they can create a more interactive and effective learning experience for everyone involved.
Tips on keeping up to date with new technologies
Experiment with different tools
Take time to explore various training tools and platforms. For example, try using Zoom for virtual sessions, Kahoot! for quizzes, a system like Arlo if you need a platform to help you manage training and reduce your admin processes, and start experimenting with AI tools like ChatGPT to see if they can speed up some of your processes.
Keep up to date with training tech trends – particularly AI
Stay informed about the latest trends and advancements in training technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). Subscribe to industry newsletters, follow relevant blogs, and join online forums or social media groups, and test out new tools, particularly if a provider offers a free plan or trial.
9. An ability to think critically
An ability to think critically can help a facilitator break down complex topics, respond effectively to unexpected questions, and guide delegates through difficult and important concepts.
Tips on improving critical thinking in your training process
Practice solving problems with the “5 whys” technique
When faced with a problem or question during a training session, use the “5 Whys” technique. Start by asking “Why?” to the initial problem, then continue asking “Why?” to each subsequent answer.
For example, if the problem you’re facing is that you delegates aren’t engaging as expected with the training material, ask yourself:
- Why? They seem distracted.
- Why? The content might not be relevant to their daily work.
- Why? We haven’t connected the theory to practical applications.
- Why? We lack specific examples from their industry.
- Why? We didn’t gather enough information about their work environment beforehand.
Running through this process helps you dig deeper into issues and uncover potential root causes of the issues.
Encourage debate and discussion in your training sessions
Regularly incorporate debates or discussions into your training sessions. Present a scenario or problem related to the training topic and ask participants to argue different viewpoints. This engages participants but also challenges you to think critically about various perspectives. It helps you practice analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions, and evaluating evidence – all key components of critical thinking.
10. Good time management skills and the ability to structure training sessions effectively
Good time management, obviously means a trainer should be punctual for training sessions, but it also means having a plan in place for how long a training session should be, how it should be structured and how long should be spent on each part of a training session.
Tips to improve your time management
Create an agenda for each training session you run
A well-defined agenda provides clarity and sets expectations for both you and your participants. To achieve this, take some time before your training session to list all the topics you plan to cover, along with the learning objectives for each topic.
To keep your training session on schedule, assign specific time slots for each topic and add them to your agenda. Share the agenda with your participants in advance so they have an idea of the session’s structure before it takes place.
Use time management techniques
Time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique can help improve the focus and participation levels of your participants during training sessions. Consider breaking your session into manageable chunks, such as 25-minute focused segments followed by 5-minute breaks.
During each Pomodoro, encourage participants to concentrate solely on the task at hand, whether it’s listening to a lecture, engaging in a discussion, or participating in hands-on activities. You can use the 5-minute break as a traditional break period; however, if your session is short—say an hour or less—consider using it as an opportunity to recap the key points you’ve just covered.
11. Creativity in training delivery
Getting creative with how you deliver your training can make learning more enjoyable and can help delegates retain information more effectively. A lot of this comes down to creating your training sessions in a way where you meet different learning styles, and avoid the dreaded ‘death by PowerPoint’ feeling where you end up reeling off information from a presentation to half checked out delegates.
Tips on creative training delivery
Use visual aids and props
Incorporate visual aids or props related to your training topic. For example, if you’re teaching about teamwork, use a puzzle where each piece represents a team member’s role. Have participants work together to complete the puzzle, illustrating how each role contributes to the whole.
Incorporate games and challenges
Add a game or challenge to your training to make it more engaging. For example, you could create a simple quiz where participants answer questions related to the material covered. You could also set up small group challenges where teams compete to solve a problem or complete a task relevant to the training topic with a prize available for the winning individual or team.
Related article: Training delivery methods: A deep dive into 15 of the best
12. Able to adequately assess delegates
Being able to assess delegates effectively means a facilitator is able to determine if learning objectives are being met and highlight areas where both the participants and the training methods can improve.
If you can understand how well participants are grasping the material, you can adjust your approach and provide the necessary support to your delegates.
Use a variety of assessment methods
Instead of relying only on tests at the end of a training session, try using different assessment methods throughout your training. Incorporate quick quizzes, group discussions, and hands-on activities to check understanding as you go. For example, after explaining a concept, ask participants to summarize it or apply it in a role-play scenario.
Set clear learning objectives
Before each training session, define specific learning objectives that outline what participants should achieve by the end. For instance, instead of a vague objective like “understand teamwork,” use a clear objective such as “participants will be able to list three key benefits of teamwork.” This level of clarity helps both you and the participants know exactly what to focus on during the training, making it easier to assess whether those objectives have been met.
13. Have relevant expertise to the training they are delivering
Having relevant expertise is a must-have skill to be an effective facilitators. Relevant experience improves the quality of the training and builds credibility with participants.
When facilitators have deep knowledge and practical experience in the subject matter, they can provide real-world examples, answer complex questions, and offer valuable insights that go beyond basic, cookie-cutter information.
Tips on building relevant experience
Continuously update your knowledge and skills
Stay current in your field by regularly engaging in professional development activities. Attend industry conferences, participate in workshops, or complete relevant certifications. Set aside time each month to read industry publications, research papers, or case studies related to your training topics.
Gain hands-on experience in your training area
If you’ve been in the field you’re delivering training on then you’ll most likely already have relevant experience. But if you’re instructing on something new, or just looking to build your expertise there are plenty of ways you can do this, such as:
- Look for opportunities to apply what you teach in real-world settings. This could involve taking on consulting projects, volunteering for relevant organizations, or collaborating with industry professionals.
- If you’re training in a technical field, regularly practice using the tools or software you teach. For soft skills training, seek leadership or mentoring opportunities that allow you to develop these skills.
14. Networking abilities
Networking opens opportunities for collaboration, learning, and professional growth, that can benefit your career as a facilitator, and your ability to deliver effective training to your delegates. Through a strong network, trainers can share best practices, gain insights from peers, and stay updated on the latest trends in the industry.
Tips on improving your networking skills
Look at joining free or paid networking communities
One of the most effective ways to build your networking skills is to join an existing network related to training. This can be either a free or paid network. A notable free community is Arlo customer Transform Your Training’s Training 4 Influence Community, which offers facilitators and trainers the opportunity to connect and support each other in delivering the best training possible. Members also gain access to regular resources tailored for professional development.
In addition to free communities, consider professional training and development organizations relevant to your field, such as the Association for Talent Development (ATD) or the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). These organizations can provide valuable networking opportunities and resources to enhance your skills.
15. A growth mindset
There’s never a dull moment in the training industry. It’s a field that requires those who work within it to upskill regularly, be open to change, and adapt to new technologies. For a facilitator to do these things successfully, they need to have an open, growth-oriented mindset – one that helps them embrace challenges and see them as opportunities for learning and improvement, rather than as threats or limitations.
Tips on cultivating a growth mindset
Conduct post-session reflection and feedback
After each training session, allocate 15-20 minutes for participants to share feedback on what worked and what could be improved. Use prompts like “What was the most valuable part of the session?” or “Were there any topics that you struggled with?”. This could be in the form of a short feedback survey you send to participants after they complete a session.
Engage in continuous learning
Set aside time each month to learn something new related to your field or training techniques. This could include enrolling in online courses, attending workshops, or reading industry-related materials. For example, if you want to improve your digital training skills, consider a course on how to use virtual facilitation tools.
Final thoughts
If as a facilitator you can combine many of the soft-skills we’ve ran through in this list with relevant operational experience to the subject then you have the right mix of ingredients to deliver training that your delegates remember, but more importantly gives them tangible results that they can apply in the real-world.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to deliver great training then consider checking out more of Arlo’s resources:
- Our instructor-led training design guide will give you a four-step process you can follow to plan engaging ILT sessions
- In this webinar recap training expert Scott D’Amico shares his top tips on how you can grow your training business, while maintaining delivery quality
- Our Ultimate Guide to Marketing Training Programs will teach you everything you need to know to effectively promote any course you run to your target audience, while generating maximum registrations.