“No single act accurately defines a person, but an adherence to a strong set of values does. “ — Jim Watkins

Everyone lives their professional and private lives according to a set of values. You might not have  articulated yours, but we all have them. So I ask you – what are you values when it comes to training? What are your core non-negotiables?

Here are mine when I facilitate a learning session:

• Provide real and applicable value to my learners
• Show my learners where to go to get help
• Promise my learners that although they probably won’t be experts when they leave my training, they will know how to find and answer any questions they may have
• Don’t teach what they already know
• If we’re done, we’re gone; don’t use up every minute in a session just because it’s scheduled
• Treat all questions with respect, and move off-line when needed
• Listen to each learner, even if they aren’t speaking
• Adapt to suit the needs of my learner, even if it means we deviate from the stated objectives
• Give all of my enthusiasm and excitement for learning to each session, regardless of how many times I’ve taught it
• Speak in a varied voice and not display nervous tics

Basically, I am flexible to give my learners what they need, not what I want.

There are times when I might veer off of one of my values, but that doesn’t define who I am as a trainer and facilitator. My adherence to each of these, session after session, class after class, year after year defines who I am.

So I ask you again, what are your values when it comes to Training?