The Last Laugh
— Malcolm Knowles, Training Expert
Have a story to share for The Last Laugh? Reach out to us at lastlaugh@L-TEN.org and we’ll help you lighten up someone’s day.
Welcome to The Last Laugh, where we say goodbye on a happy note. Happier if you’re easily amused.
As trainers, you know there’s an element of entertainment to your job. Your primary role in front of learners is to educate them, but you’ve been doing this long enough to know that first you must engage them.
There’s no business like show business, as the old saying goes.
Obviously, you’re not expected to sing and dance to engage learners (not prohibited either, just saying), but there’s more to leading a classroom (in person or virtual) than just reciting facts. There is a difference between fun and too fun.
While you don’t want to distract or detract from the training, being engaging and a bit entertaining is certainly part of a good balance. A little personality also will go a long way on post-event evaluations.
Humor is one way to lighten a mood, but you can also engage through tools like gamification, interactivity, storytelling and visuals (which can also be humorous). Of course, be careful to be appropriate, be aware of cultural sensitivities and maybe make sure they know you’re having fun.
For example, there’s one trainer who shall remain nameless who learned that the hard way.
The trainer was trying to illustrate the importance of working technology, so he had a friend from accounting pop in. The accounting rep gravely announced that due to an equipment failure, everyone’s paycheck would be delayed a week.
Well, the class was engaged all right … riveted even. Just not about the training topic.
It ended with an explanation and a laugh, so the mission was technically accomplished.
Another trainer tells a great story about a classroom session that became wishful thinking. During training, the discussion turned to career potential, with a student asking what a training position might earn.
We’ll hold the names and actual figures, but the trainer turned it around on the student and asked them what they thought the job was worth. The student, humorously, named a very large figure.
“Great,” the trainer said. “Plus there’s a benefits package that includes two months vacation, every holiday paid, full medical, dental and vision coverage and a company car.”
“Seriously?” the learner said. “Are you kidding?”
“Yes, I am,” the trainer said. “But you started it.”
Tim Sosbe is editorial director for LTEN. Email Tim at tsosbe@L-TEN.org or connect through LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/timsosbe.
