Train and Coach for Productivity. by PLMitchell

Train and Coach for Productivity. One of the greatest assets a leader can have is the ability to train and coach. Without a doubt this skill can have a positive effect on workplace productivity. The problem is we generally don't train our leaders to be great trainers and coaches. We have this assumption if a person can do a job they can train someone else. Nothing is further from the truth.

The ability to do a job and the ability to train are not necessarily connected. There are plenty of examples around of people who are very good at a particular job, but completely inept as a trainer. The key to training and coaching for productivity is to understand how people learn.

When we know a job extremely well, we sometimes forget what it's like to be a learner. Think back to when you were learning the job. You probably learned it step-by-step, one stage a time, going through a process of trial and error, making mistakes until you finally mastered the whole job. It some stage during the learning process you would have probably reached a position called "information overload." This is where your brain is unable to accept any more information.

The best preparation you can make to train somebody on-the-job, is to break down the job in to small manageable steps. Then to show the person how to do the job step by step. Remember that people learn in three different ways basically. They learn through their eyes, they learn through their ears and they learn through their hands by doing things. In these three different learning methods we each have a different combination of strengths and weaknesses.

Knowing how people learn, is a huge advantage if you are training them. However, all good training covers the three ways equally. This ensures that people have the opportunity to learn using their strengths. If, for instance, you just told people how to do the job, then those that had strengths visually or with their hands would miss out. So when you're training, tell, show and illustrate one important step at a time. Then let the person have a tryout of doing the job.

Correct errors until they are successful. Then get them to do the job again as they explain all the key points such as safety, quality and productivity to you. During this training process make sure that the person is put at ease at the beginning of the process and kept at ease throughout the whole session.

Remember not to try and do too much. It is better to train too little rather than too much because, as humans, we cannot learn when our brain is overloaded.

Peter Mitchell has been an adviser to businesses of all sizes and types for the last 35 years. He has used all his experience to write a step-by-step guide for business owners and mangers which is complimentary. If you download this guide, you are eligible to buy his latest book "The Key to Productivity"at a special price for a limited time.

It is available NOW at http://www.thekeytoproductivity.com