quote for today

Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater.
{Gail Godwin}

I've suspected this for a while now... that as a trainers we are inherently part actor.  That is not to say I'd win a lifetime achievement award for my contributions on the silver screen or that it should have been me firing bullets at Brad Pitt and not Angelina Jolie in Mr & Mrs Smith - though that's a gig I wouldn't have turned down, either.  As a trainer it is my duty to persuade, to convince, to invite you, the participant, to enter a world I've created for you by my words, my presence, my tone & inflection, and my material (content).  And even if I'm presenting on a content I've never seen before, or material I find particularly dry - you'll never know it.  Because my job is to act as if.  To act as if I'm a superb manager of time and stress so that you are persuaded to take these new tools back and try them with confidence.  To act as if I've been presenting on this material for years - as if I even invented the concept.  To engage you so completely that you forget that you're in training and feel a part of this process.  That's my job.  I'm told I do it reasonably well, too... and I'm lucky to have talented trainers - actors & actresses - in my life who push me to do it even incrementally better every day. 

Comments

[Heather Moll]

I totally agree! TFS your thoughts, Sharon. You are one cool chick!