What is a 'Transformative Trainer'?

Let's start by defining those words:according to the Oxford dictionary-

To Transform (verb)  is to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, outward appearance, character, etc.

Transformative (adjective) is anything that allows this to happen; or facilitates the process!

To Train (verb) is to teach a specified skill, especially by practice

A Trainer (noun) is a person who trains

I'm defining these in the light of our new trainers' organisation, SATTI - which stands for South African Transformative Trainers' Institute.

So who are these Transformative Trainers, and what qualities do they possess?

They are - Teachable; Real; Assured ; Inspiring; Networkers; Enablers; Respectful.

True Trainers!

To elaborate... they must want to collaborate, with other such Trainers, to form a Transformative body of Trainers:

Why are the above qualities essential?

1- Teachable

Those who reach a point in their career where they think they know it all cease to be transformative.

Why? Because to be transformative you must be willing to keep being transformed! By new ideas; by new realities; by teaching others... your students are often your best teachers. By nature, trainers never stop learning.

2- Real

It is tempting to think you can make yourself into a version of your favourite motivational speaker, who oozes charisma.

Have you thought about why some of the most motivating trainers in the world don't lose their charisma? They are themselves, that's why! Do you think you could be another Anthony Robbins, who is one of the few that gets the balance between training and charisma spot on? Anthony is who he is - larger than life, extremely extroverted and himself!

Who are you?

There are as many styles of training as there are successful and effective trainers. Some are introverted ; and have another type of charisma - because they reflect who they are in their training and seminars. Alex Mandossian, another world class trainer, admits to being an introvert - and needing loads of downtime after conducting a large seminar.

What's your style? How can you adapt it to something that works for you and your learners?

3- Assured

Self assured and humble. Yes, it is possible, and essential for a trainer to be both. If you don't believe in who you are, or in what you teach, how do you expect others to believe ?

However, if you lack humility, that annoys people , because after all training is about what you can impart to them and their lives; it is not about you, except that you are facilitating the process.

You need to forget about your hangups and self doubts, or about trying to make an impression. Your main focus should be: How can I teach this skill, so that it will be applied in a manner that effectively transforms the person and their organisation?

4- Inspiring

Whatever your personality and style of teaching, you need to aspire to be inspiring.

Sometimes it is your own story that inspires others; other times it may be the energy that is created on your course. It needs to be brought across in a way that people will stay interested and involved. Because of the instant information of the Internet , attention spans are much shorter nowadays. And there are more and more people with a visual or kinesthetic style of learning.

Music is great. Movement is great. Interaction. Regular breaks. Sitting outside. Creative activities. A theme that relates to their interests (e.g. for one of my own time managment courses I introduced a soccer theme - it was in 2010 - the year of the soccer world cup).

The most uninspiring way of training is possibly a powerpoint presentation where you just read the writing off the slides, with no personal interaction. I'm stating the obvious, and sure all experienced trainers are aware of what works and what doesn't.

The closely linked 'I' word to remember is: 'Involve' the audience (if its a larger seminar) or learners (if fewer in number). That is how they have a chance of being inspired to become transformed by what you are teaching.

5- Networkers

This is an unusual one, and it is important for a platform for trainers. In the purer sense of this word, it means 'willing to share'... contacts, information, knowledge. It takes trust...maybe we still need to earn it ourselves. Consider this: what is the worst that can happen if you have brilliant knowledge and it gets shared by someone else to people who benefit and are Transformed by it. Would you feel hard done by?

Yes, this is a test for some who believe their information needs a copyright and they want to keep it closely guarded. That is not transformative. A large pool of knowledge from which we can all draw and benefit from is within the culture of collaboration. And the sharing and referral of contacts. What you give always comes back, in one form or another. What is closely guarded can't go anywhere, or is of limited good to others. If you want to use my material, go ahead, just be sure I get some mention in the process. I'll be honoured. :-)

It's all part of the abundance mindset. In this information age, there is an abundance of information anyway; you just need to communicate it in your own unique manner.

6- Enablers

As mentioned, it is not about you, and how great you are. It is more about them, and how you enable them to believe in themselves, their abilities and apply the skills you have taught them. 

In the process you may, or may not become great. Either way what matters most is that you retain the essence of who you are , what you can impart , and the transformation you have facilitated. Having your learners become 'great' (whatever the definition of that is) should be of far greater reward than the greatness just remaining with you!

7- Respectful

Always be respectful of others, no matter what their station in life. Bear this in mind when you teach those uneducated learners, the know-it-alls, the disruptors... Personal interaction has many challenges, and it often challenges who you are as a person. Respect earns respect - that is particularly true of our modern generation , who are no longer intimidated into respecting someone only by virtue of their title or position. 

The level of respect speaks volumes about the quality of an organisation. 

Final note: Of course online training is easier, and the wave of the future. However it also loses the personal interaction, and transformative lessons of a real (versus virtual) training session.

We will give you a choice of either or components of both. Watch our space transform... Thanks for reading! B-)

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Contact Paula Dwyer , CEO of SATTI for information about becoming a member or associate of SATTI.

+27 82 567 2037  or paula.dwyer@satti.co.za