To begin with, we’re all performers. More precisely, we perform before ‘live’ audiences. It’s not surprising then, that our learners frequently evaluate us – not on our ability to design an effective training program – but on how well we “perform” while delivering training sessions. I recently read a book called “The Standup Trainer” by Ellen Dowling, Ph.D. and enjoyed her comparisons of the Theater (stage actor), Comedy Club (comedian), and the Classroom (trainer). I’d like to share some highlights from this enjoyable read. I found them insightful and entertaining. I hope you do, too!
Spontaneity
Like actors and comics, trainers rely on a live audience to keep their presentations fresh. All live performers usually repeat their performances – sometimes many times. Actors appear in long-running plays, standup comedians repeat tried-and-true comedy routines. Trainers teach the same courses (i.e. cultural diversity, new employee orientation, and sexual harassment) repeatedly for weeks or even years! Without the constant challenge of a new audience every time, performances can grow stale very quickly.
This need for freshness in the midst of repetition, a.k.a. “the illusion of the first time” was coined by Konstantin Stanislavsky, father of “Method Acting.” “The artist of the stage (or trainer in the classroom) must be the master of his/her own inspiration and must know how to call it forth at the hour announced on the posters at the theater (or in the training catalog).” A good trainer must have some of the gifts of a good actor. Each time the curtain goes up, no matter how many times it has gone up before, it should always seem like a new performance for the audience. In other words, “fake it till you make it!”
Reviews
Actors frequently find themselves at the mercy of reviewers/critics who write for publication. Some widely syndicated reviewers (think USA Today, New York Times), wield such power that their evaluations can actually close a Broadway show or seriously impair an actor’s career.
Comedians, on the other hand, are lucky because they get reviewed by everyone, and the majority rules. Comedians don’t have to make everyone laugh to be successful; they just need to make most of the audience happy. Much of a comedian’s success is due to word-of-mouth rave reviews.
A trainer also gets reviewed by everyone (our learners). Generally speaking, most of us are content to get an 8.5 (out of 10) or better on our end-of-course evaluations. A perfect 10 is fantastic, but not necessary for continued success. Conversely, if we get a low score from the majority of our learners, then we know immediately that we need to do some major overhauling of our “act” if we expect to stay in business. One person’s opinion may not be useful information for the performer but it can be to a trainer. And when our entire audience gives us a similar review, we know where we stand. If most of our learners think we’re boring, we know where we need to improve.
Memorizing Lines
Did you know that the number one cause of stage fright among actors is forgetting their lines? When an actor “flubs up” his or her lines during a live performance, it’s a terrible sight to behold. First there’s this unnatural pause. Then there’s a “deer caught in the headlights” expression on the actor’s face as he or she tries to ad-lib a suitable replacement for the forgotten line. It’s similarly scary for comedians. They have to memorize their bits, punch lines, etc. An ad-lib just may not be funny enough.
Trainers on the other hand, are lucky – lucky in that we can use our notes! We don’t have to memorize anything (and I highly recommend not trying to) and we can transpose and rearrange material to our heart’s content. Indeed, sometimes we need to do some mid-session rearranging in response to our learners’ needs. Stage fright for a trainer? Pshaw…
In summary, actors can achieve fame and fortune, but they have to memorize their lines and put up with cranky reviewers/critics. Comedians also can become rich and famous, but they too, have to memorize routines and get a laugh every 20 seconds.
As for trainers, we might not retire as millionaires or be nationally recognized, but we can teach learners new skills and improve job performance. Like teachers, trainers “affect eternity.” And we don’t have to memorize our lines or get laughs to do it (ha ha).
Melissa
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GREAT ARTICLE. REALLY INSIGHTFUL. THANKS FOR SHARING THAT