The day has come. Thirty learners in one room. You are on the “stage.” Are you ready? It is time to facilitate your new program.
Many of us have asked ourselves this question when preparing to lead a group through a new content area and for the implementation phase. The project and program are now in our hands as facilitators. We are the messenger, in charge of transferring the knowledge and skills to our learners to empower them to be better tomorrow than they are today.
Your gut reaction may be “no!” Fear makes us initially respond this way. But reflect and think through what you have done to prepare: You are equipped, confident, and experienced to deliver the information.
Each facilitator’s preparation process is different. How do you move from a feeling of insecurity to one of surety when preparing to train a new area? Maybe it is not a light switch but more of a sliding scale.
Consider three actions that can serve as a cornerstone for your preparation process:
1. Decide how to best prepare.
Do you create checklists? Review the slides first? Speak with trainers who have already delivered the program and ask for their lessons learned? Get to know the audience? Your specific answers to each question are irrelevant. These are all elements to consider when preparing to facilitate. Which pieces you include is up to you. Some preparation tips:- Read the content. Take in the content in all forms—from the participants guide to the facilitator guide to relevant articles—to ensure you have the required knowledge to build your credibility.
- Plan stories and examples. Make your content come to life. Do you have a story that you can share to highlight key elements that need to stick with the learners? If you are short on your own stories, reach out to a subject matter expert (SME) in the area and share theirs.
- Write questions and answers. Write out what questions you will ask about various topics. Consider questions learners may ask you, and plan your responses.
- Practice! Practice not once or twice but multiple times so that the content, flow, examples, and activities become part of your muscle memory. Practice any technology that is required for the event so that you don’t stumble through tools and application issues on the day.
- Logistics. What are they? Consider the technology requirements, test the technology, have a back-up plan for your back-up plan, create list of materials required (from timing charts and snacks to virtual poling codes), and identify administration needs. This is where a checklist (or multiple!) comes in handy.
- Prepare your mind and body. Fulfill Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs from making sure you have proper food and water to obtaining the mental confidence that you are ready to showcase your skills in front of an audience.
- Determine priorities. Ask yourself, “What is most critical to prepare now that will lead to success in the classroom and remain learner-focused?” Often, this means focusing on activities and the practice opportunities rather than trying to memorize scripting. Focus on the application and collaborative effort moments during the training event that aid in learning transfer.
2. Declare your preparation timeline.
A mentor once told me, “No one can tell you how many hours you need to prepare for your facilitation. It is all personal preference.” I appreciated this message, but everyone has a timeline which works best for them. Trust your own process and don’t worry about what others do. The timeline will depend on the program, content, technology utilized, and team you are working with.One trainer may thrive on the adrenaline rush of reviewing the slides and facilitator guide only days before the event, thinking content will be fresh in their head, while another trainer may read the design notes and facilitator guide a month before the training, thinking that more time will help them absorb the information.
Once you have your own personal prep process down you are better able to estimate how much lead time you need to give yourself to prepare. Remember it’s your process—your way. Only you will know what it takes to be comfortable and confident to take on that day of facilitation effort.
3. Expect your nerves to be present at go-time.
It’s alright to be nervous before you deliver a training. Nerves are a sign of your passion.We will never know it all—system, application, procedure, and literature. This may lead us to have a pit in the bottom of our stomach, sleep poorly the night before the delivery, or make our palms sweaty. Acknowledge these physical feelings (along with any discouraging mental thoughts) and move forward. Here’s what that may sound like: “I feel and hear the nerves. That means I care. Thank you, nerves, for reminding me that I care.” Be OK with some nerves and self-doubt. It is not the facilitator’s role to know everything, and learners do not have that expectation.
As an introvert, I still experience apprehension when I begin to lead a group, but it has lessened over time and with experience. Rest assured that you, too, will become more comfortable with each experience, even if you continue to experience some butterflies.
Bottom line: You are ready! Take a deep breath, and say, “I know my plan, and I am prepared for this.” Walk into the room (virtual or physical) with poise and grace. Your learners are grateful to have you creating the collaborative and engaging learning environment that they seek.
