They think it won’t work before you start.
You’re at the front of the room. A few participants are looking at you with their arms folded.
They may think the training is relevant. They just don’t believe they’ll be able to do what you’re asking when they get back to work. They can see barriers. Perhaps they’re right; perhaps they’ve misunderstood. Either way, those barriers are real to them.
Why would they engage if they think the whole exercise is pointless?
Before the course, agree with the sponsor that you’ll ask about barriers and bring back anything the group cannot resolve. Ask the sponsor to tell participants at the start that their concerns will be investigated, and they’ll hear what was decided.
Then make time to explore the barriers people raise as the course unfolds. Who else has encountered this? What did they try? What worked? What didn’t? Someone in the room may have a solution. Or you may uncover a problem the sponsor needs to address.
If a course reveals why people may be unable to do what they have been taught, that information is part of the value of the course.
Make time for that discussion in your next course. And if you need to leave out a few slides, leave them out.
