Building Trust with Others – in Workshops
This is lifted Straight from my Trainers Notes for ANY workshop I run. I believe it is the main reason I get very few dissenters or reluctant contributors in my workshops. I am clear with them right from the start that it is going to be different and I will be expecting their co0peration and involvement. Because the style of training is probably very different to anything they’ve done before, I feel this step is imperative. It sets up their expectation so that they are not surprised when we do some of what they might call ‘wacky’ stuff.’
I usually say something like:
‘Some of the methods we use and activities we incorporate into this workshop may seem a little odd at first glance, but if I can guarantee there is a point to the exercise, will that be OK? We’ll be playing games. Why?’ (invite answers)
My answer: ‘Nothing will happen in this workshop that doesn’t already happen in your life somewhere. The difference here is that you will get the opportunity to observe your own behaviour and therefore the opportunity to change it if you feel it isn’t effective. Workshops are not designed to change personalities, but merely to set up situations where a person can observe their own reactions / responses, decide if they are effective, and if not, perhaps choose a different response from the alternatives suggested’
‘Some things will annoy you (I might annoy you!), some make you laugh, some just irritate, some people might even make you angry. I’d like you to observe your own behaviour and how different situations/personalities affect you, with the view of using that information to become a better team member and or team leader.’
Gain permission: ‘So is it OK if we do some things today that may seem a little strange, as long as I can show you that there is a point to it? Go like this (I nod) because we’re going to do it anyway! And is it OK if I or someone else in the group offers you some feedback about something that we believe could make you a more effective communicator or leader?’
