TOT 74: Trainer as a Guest Speaker

Trainers are often invited as guest speakers. Trainer’s role in the mediation training program is different from the role he/she is required to perform as a Guest Speaker.

When a trainer is invited as a Guest Speaker the following steps may be followed:

1. CONTENT: Collection of data or information to be communicated
2. UNDERSTANDING: Understanding the data /information collected
3. ANALYSING: Analyse thread bare on each of the components
4. COMMUNICATING: Select what is required to be communicated 

and communicate.

Working on the First Part: Content

1. Knowing the audience 
2. Keeping track of the time available 
3. What is required to be communicated
4. What cannot be communicated
5. What can be communicated.

Working on the Second Part: Understanding 

1. Deeper understanding- Guest speaker is generally expected to have deeper understanding of the topic.
2. Has to understand the topic, layer by layer. If there is any confusion in the mind of the guest speaker, the sub topic may be tried to be avoided.
3. Once a guest speaker gets clarity on the contents, he/she should cross check on the following:
   1. Whether I have understood the topic at a deeper level?
   2. Is my understanding correct?
   3. How differently have others understood this concept?
   4. Can the audience understand if I communicate?
   5. Are there chances of the  audience misunderstanding or not understanding me?
   6. What should I do to reflect my understanding in a simple and effective way?
   7. Should I get further strengthening of my understanding on the given topic before addressing the audience?

Reasons

1. Speaker cannot make others understand what he/she has not understood.
2. Speaker is not invited only to share with or transfer  material/s collected from one or more sources to the audience through a chosen media.
3. Speaker should not just be transferring the information but must also be transferring the knowledge as to how the information is required to be understood.   
4. Speaker is not invited to only to make the audience know from how many sources he/she has collected information 
5. Speaker’s credibility lies more in reflecting his/her deeper understanding of the subject 

Working on the Third Part: Analysing 

Analysis in the present context refers to detailed examination of the elements. It also involves detailed examination of how the entire presentation is structured. 

Analysing in the given context refers to examining something in an organized way.

After a speaker chooses the contents for delivery, and gets confirmation on his/her understanding of the topic, he/she should analyse the following:

1. Have I chosen the proper subtopics?
2. How do I take the audience with me step by step, in a methodical manner
3. Am I going to create confusion in the mind of the audience? 
4. Do examples chosen by me relate to the concept
5. Have I gone wrong anywhere in the structuring of the presentation?
6. How should I begin – conclude?

Working on the Fourth  Part: Communicating 

 After the above three steps are followed, the speaker has to choose the right method of communication to see to it that what is required to be communicated to the audience gets communicated.

The contents that are required to be communicated should be converted into teachable-relatable and communicable information.

Information overloading must be avoided.

ADVANTAGES

When one has the information, and has understood the same, and has also analysed it thread bare communication becomes easier and effective. 

Learn avidly. Question repeatedly what you have learned. Analyze it carefully. Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.’

Edward Cocker
English Engraver
Author of famous book ‘Arithmetick’

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(All Copyrights reserved by the author S.Susheela)