Tips on How to Make Them Listen

Total Success have been running successful Train the Trainer courses since 1995. This one-day course is essential if you have just been promoted to a training or coaching role or you wish to refresh your training skills. It is full of practical tools and techniques that include:

This course will also benefit those who have become Training Managers and wish to know the fundamentals of developing organisational training programmes focusing on implementing training policy and improving staff competency levels.

Tips on How to Make Them Listen

We all know that any training, coaching or mentoring is a two-way process. Regardless of how the training is delivered, face-to-face or internet-based, the learning outcomes depend on both the trainer and trainee. Coaching and mentoring are more to do with changes of behaviour than learning simple skills.

New behaviour has to supplant the old behaviour and this is very difficult with interpersonal skills that are used in a social context. It is always possible to argue that the social context, not the behaviour, determines the outcome.

Why they don’t listen

We all carry around in our heads a memory of everything that has ever happened to and around us. What you are saying or doing is added to that mass of memories, of experiences. Your voice is louder because it is in the here and now but there are thousands of other voices competing for the listener’s belief. These accumulated memories and experiences lead us to have expectations. Experience gives rise to expectations and we create stereotypes to direct our decisions. If you feel your current situation is dangerous you are not going to be receptive to new ideas. Your body and brain are geared to fight or flee.

One of the key topics we use on our Train The Trainer and Presentation Skills courses is how to get your audience to listen to you. Here are some of the key pointers we teach our delegates to use.

Top tips to make them listen

1.      You seek feedback and frequently summarise

2.      You talk about the audience’s problems and requirements

3.      You involve the audience by interaction or demonstration

4.      The first and last impressions made are both positive and favourable

5.      Ensure all points made are relevant and of special interest

6.      Use acronyms, mnemonics and linking key points together to create memorable associations.

7.      On slides – use text for the known – use illustrations for the unknown

8.      Strong vocal delivery mixed with strong visuals greatly improve retention of information during passive review (the term for sitting and listening)

9.      Be steady and don’t go too fast

10.    Be aware of different communication preferences

11.    Be aware of all the other voices in your trainee’s ears