Confidence
A trainer’s confidence as a trainer is vital in any presentation. True confidence is the greatest strength of a trainer. However, it cannot be forgotten that as far as training is concerned “trainer’s confidence is an effect but not a cause”. This trainer’s confidence is the result of knowledge base and the efforts put in by the trainer. Focusing on the goal of training increases the level of confidence of a trainer. In order to be a confident trainer following steps may be considered:
Step 1: Identify the GOAL.
Step 2: Take a firm decision to achieve the identified GOAL
Step 3: List out things required to be done to achieve the GOAL.
Step 4: Work on the “to do list”.
Step 5: Don’t give up under any circumstances.
Example:
Step-1 Trainer’s identified GOAL – I have to give best presentation on the topic of Negotiation.
Step-2 Trainer’s Decision – I will do all that is required to give the best presentation.
Step-3 Preparing the “to do list”
I have to work on four quarters of presentation:
Contents
Segmentation
Presentation skills
Time Management.
In each of these quarters I have to do the following 1, 2, 3….
Step 4 Working on the “to do list”
I will not ignore anything from “to do list”.
I have done this, this, this….
Step 5 Not to give up
I will not give up working on this. I will not get demotivated. I will enhance reasons for learning and will work hard on myself.
What makes a trainer confident?
“KNOWLEDGE AND PREPARATION”
Preparation
“Appropriate Preparation builds confidence.”
Origin of over-confidence:
A self-talk within the mind of a trainer feeding false assurance:
“I am better than anyone here. I know much more than the trainees. Trainees do not know anything about the topic I am dealing with. The topic is new to them. With my oratory skills I can take them along with me. Even if I commit mistakes no one can notice.”
Such affirmations may work temporarily. But they will have permanent negative consequences.
What does a trainer with overconfidence do?
An over confident trainer:
- will postpone preparation.
- Will not do adequate preparation.
- Will boost himself with inadequate preparation.
- Will try prepare overnight.
- Will try to prepare on the training floor when the other trainer/s is/are holding the session.
- Will try to get one are two points from the co-trainers, and decides to elaborate on those points, banking upon trainer’s presentation skills.
- Will read from the book, notes/slides for the first time during the training and try to explain it to the audience.
- Talks without substance.
- Speaks more on the topics other than the topic allotted to the trainer.
- Copies down something from the google/smart phone/jots down and tries to explain it for the first time without even understanding the same or internalizing the concept.
- Gives exercises/role plays without even going through the same.
- Gives some reading material which the trainer has read on the previous night which according to the trainer is interesting, without analyzing the relevance or otherwise of it to the given context.
- Poses as though the trainer knows the subject in depth even when the trainer does not have the requisite knowledge base.
- Wastes time repeatedly telling ‘The topic is very important’ and does not speak on anything related to the topic.
- Uses extra, unwanted sentences. “More chaff with less grain”.
- Does not understand the difference between talking/dialogue/lecturing and training.
- Unnecessarily repeats a simple concept.
- Tells the same point in different sentences/in different languages again and again.
- Repeats the concepts already dealt with by other trainer/s and well understood by the trainees.
(All copy rights reserved by the author S.Susheela.)
Training of Trainers in Mediation 
Very well described ma’am about the contents which made a trainer confidant simultaniously what should be avoided by a trainer so that he/she can not be an overconfident trainer.
Learning is a continuous process ma’am and i am really blessed to have you as guiding force in my life.
Segmentation of presentation is really very useful.
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Thank you Neena .
Your feed back is appreciated.
Feedback is an integral part of training .
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Over confidence part is very informative – showing the mirror 🙏
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Points learned:
Appropriate Adequate Requisite Knowledge :-
– understanding
– Internalizing the concept
-well in time
– how to present
– Read Trainees
– Pick up points frm co- trainers only to connect relevance to your prepared topic
– Don’t rely only on co-trainers
– No repetition
– Stick to allotted topic
– Speak Substance
– No Lectures
This all necessary to stay away from OVER CONFIDENCE and Still be CONFIDENT.
I have a experience to shr on this:
Whn i joined profession in 1994, I always use to feel what makes Senior Advocates different from rest of the advocates? For an answer to this i went to meet our most respected Hon’ble Justice (late) Anil Dev Singh of Delhi High Court.
He guided me and said Pusshp if u have command on facts of the case and law there in,thn no one can stop you frm presenting your client’s case effectively before the bench.
Frm thn till now I always try to check my performance and over confidence by replaying those pearls of advice in my heart and mind.
And Ma’am your guidance will help me further refine myself to stabilise required confidence. Thank u so very much. 🌺🙏
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Thank you Pushp
I am happy that this blog is of some use to trainers.
Your analysis adds value to it .
Understanding and paraphrasing what you have read and understood is a firm forward step in training . You are constantly at it .
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wonderfully compiled – and you nailed it at the 5th commandment
“Step 5: Don’t give up under any circumstances.”
I have seen learned and well prepared trainers but they would crumble down under pressure or (negative) influence. They may not be able to deliver aptly.
Learning from experience is an art. Your work clearly displays your knowledge, observations, experience and learning. You are just great….holding our hands and walking along with us. Thanks for enriching us by sharing this post.
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Thank you Kavitha .
Your feedback is a reflection of your observations of various training sessions.
Your feedback helps trainers a lot .
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Whether it is confidence or over confidence has been elaborately put forth by you ,which is a reminder to us each time we make a presentation. The content is very well explained and this blog is a medium of teaching for us. Thank you very much for sharing this.
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