ShareThisThis post was inspired by a train-the-trainer session Dale Ludwig and I led two weeks ago. We were working with a group of SMEs (subject matter experts) in the insurance industry as they prepared to deliver enterprise-wide training sessions.
Of course the SMEs knew a lot about their topics. The problem was they wanted to share most of it with their trainees. This desire is typical not only when training, but when delivering every-day presentations as well. So, during the training session, we helped the SMEs switch hats. They needed to take off their favorite, most comfortable hat (the SME Hat), and put on a slightly less comfortable one (the Trainer Hat).
When you switch hats like this you’ll realize that trainees and every-day audiences don’t want or need to know everything you know. (Nor do they have time for it.) What they need is to be engaged in a well-developed, listener-focused, concise conversation.
So, put on your Trainer Hat the next time you develop a training session or presentation. Get clear on your objectives. Think about what your listeners need to learn from you in order to take the action you want them to take. From there, create an agenda that includes only the information that will help you reach your goals.
One thing that happens when you take off your SME Hat is that you feel like you’re not demonstrating your expertise. Don’t worry. When you zero in on what your listeners need and want to know about your topic, they’ll feel like you really care about their perspective and understanding. And that’s a good thing.
Need help preparing for your next presentation? Take this online presentation skills course today: “Preparing a Presentation.”
Learn more at www.TurpinCommunication.com and www.OnlinePresentationSkillsTraining.com
Forget Public Speaking 101.
Throw out generic rules. You need to
Find your focus. Be yourself. Only better.
Of course the SMEs knew a lot about their topics. The problem was they wanted to share most […….
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