What It Takes to Be a Great Training Instructor: Beyond the Basics
Guest writer Jim Dettore digs down into instructional practices in “What It Takes to Be a Great Training Instructor: Beyond the Basics.”
Being a great training instructor is more than knowing your material or speaking in front of a room. It’s about creating an experience that sticks with your learners long after they leave your session. Having spent over 30 years teaching technical, leadership, and communication skills, I’ve learned that delivering information is just the starting point. The true art of training lies in how you engage, connect, and bring the content and the learning space to life.
Since starting out training Grove Crane operators in the 1990s and moving into leadership and instructional roles in 1998, I’ve seen firsthand what makes some trainers exceptional. I’ve also sat through over 100 training classes and seminars myself, learning to spot the difference between average and outstanding instructors. I always wanted to emulate trainers like Lloyd Shull at Empire Cat’s Regional Dealer Learning Center, he made every session fun, engaging, and interactive. And people remembered what they learned.
Along the way, I’ve also been influenced by trainers like Amy Parrish of Iluma Learning, whose ability to create dynamic and engaging sessions is second to none. Teaching is about building connections and crafting a learning environment where people feel comfortable, curious, and motivated.
Let’s dive into what makes a great trainer, including not only communication and engagement tools but also how the physical training space itself can boost learning.
- Know Your Content Inside and Out
Without deep knowledge of your subject matter, you can’t create the credibility or trust needed in a learning space. A trainer who fumbles through the material or relies too heavily on slides loses the room fast.
A standout trainer:
- Knows the material thoroughly and can explain it in multiple ways.
- Connects theory to real-world examples, making the information practical and relevant.
- Is prepared to answer both common and complex questions.
- Is comfortable going “off script” when needed to dive deeper or clarify points.
Remember: knowledge creates confidence, and confidence creates trust.
- Communication Skills: The Trainer’s Toolbelt
Great communication goes beyond speaking clearly. The best trainers know how to modulate tone, pace, and language to keep their audience engaged.
Communication tips for trainers:
- Tone and pace: Vary your pitch and cadence to emphasize key points and maintain energy.
- Body language: Move purposefully, make eye contact with all areas of the room, and use gestures to reinforce your message.
- Stories stick: Share relatable anecdotes and stories that reinforce key learning objectives.
- Silence is powerful: Use pauses strategically. Silence after a question encourages thoughtful responses.
- Listen, don’t just talk: Ask questions, listen actively, and allow participants to shape parts of the discussion.
Communicating to large groups:
With bigger groups, the need for energy and presence increases. Walk the room when possible, and make sure your voice reaches the back. Repeat audience contributions to ensure everyone hears and feels included.
- The Learning Space Matters More Than You Think
The physical environment is often overlooked, but it’s critical to fostering engagement and focus.
What to consider in your training space:
- Layout: Avoid static, lecture-style rows whenever possible. Instead, opt for circular seating, small groups, or U-shaped layouts to foster discussion and interaction.
- Lighting: Bright but not harsh lighting helps maintain energy and focus.
- Temperature: A too-warm or too-cold room is distracting. Aim for a comfortable middle ground.
- Room flow: Allow space for movement. Walking around the room makes you more accessible and creates energy.
- Visuals and Sensory Tools
Humans are visual learners by nature. A blank slide deck and a monotone voice will drain energy fast.
Visual and sensory engagement ideas:
- Use visuals wisely: High-quality images, diagrams, charts, and videos can bring dry content to life.
- Whiteboards and flip charts: Sketching concepts in real time helps reinforce key points and keeps learners engaged.
- Fidget tools: Providing stress balls, fidget cubes, or tactile objects on tables can help kinesthetic learners focus better, especially during long sessions.
- Drawing activities: Encourage participants to draw mind maps, concept sketches, or even doodle key takeaways. This promotes creative engagement and improves retention.
When I implemented simple visuals and allowed space for participants to physically interact, whether through sketching, building models, or hands-on exercises, engagement skyrocketed. Amy Parrish is a master at integrating movement and creativity into learning activities, blending traditional teaching with dynamic participation.
- Engagement Tools and Techniques
The best trainers:
- Break the “lecture pattern” frequently by using interactive activities.
- Gamify content: Quick games, quizzes, and contests boost energy and reinforce lessons.
- Role-playing: Especially effective in leadership and communication training, this tool helps learners “live” the lesson.
- Open the floor: Encourage questions and discussions early and often.
- Group projects or challenges: Teams working toward shared goals foster collaboration and increase buy-in.
Even providing sticky notes and markers can empower learners to participate visually during brainstorming sessions or group discussions.
Tips for keeping people engaged all day:
- Break sessions into 60–90-minute chunks with regular breaks.
- Use movement breaks. Get people standing, stretching, or shifting groups.
- Surprise learners with new formats: Try rotating stations or walking discussions outside the traditional classroom.
- Connection: The Heart of Great Training
Great instructors don’t just teach; they connect. Participants are more likely to absorb content when they feel seen and valued.
- How to build individual connections:
- Learn names quickly and use them.
- Acknowledge contributions: Give credit when someone shares an insight or asks a thoughtful question.
- Adapt to personalities: Quiet learners may need encouragement, while talkative learners might need gentle steering.
One-on-one check-ins during breaks or after sessions can also help build rapport, especially with participants who may be struggling to engage.
Building group connection:
- Create a safe environment where questions and mistakes are welcomed.
- Foster peer-to-peer discussion.
- Lead by example. Be open, authentic, and approachable. 7. What Makes a Trainer Stand Out?
After three decades of delivering and observing training, here’s what consistently sets great trainers apart from average ones:
Emotional Intelligence:
- Reading body language, sensing energy dips, and adapting delivery in the moment makes the difference between a rigid session and one that flows naturally.
- Passion:
- Passion is contagious. If you’re genuinely excited about your topic, your learners will feel it too.
- Flexibility:
- No class goes exactly as planned. Great trainers adapt on the fly without losing momentum.
Commitment to Growth:
Despite delivering over 500 classes, I still learn something new from every session. The best trainers are humble, constantly refining their craft.
Final Thoughts: Creating the Full Experience
At the end of the day, a successful training experience is a combination of:
- Strong content mastery,
- Excellent communication,
- An engaging and inclusive physical space,
- Sensory tools to boost focus,
- And most importantly, a deep connection with your learners.
When I think back to people like Lloyd Shull and Amy Parrish, what stands out isn’t just what they taught, it’s how they made their learners feel. They created spaces where people were comfortable, curious, and energized.
If you want to move from average to great as a trainer, invest in the full experience: the room, the tools, the human connection, and yourself.