You had me at..."I worked on..."​

Business as usual. Delivering management of aggression and violence training to healthcare workers.

A few days ago, during a short break, a lady started chatting to me. She had recently attended other training that was relevant to her clinical expertise. She had paid for this training herself as she wanted to improve both her knowledge and skill set.

I could sense she was annoyed about something ...the rolling eyes, the exasperation and frustration in her voice.

She admitted that she had not been full of enthusiasm in attending the course I was facilitating. I asked why;

Food frippery

" Jim, I paid a lot of money for another course I went on a few weeks ago. It looked really good on paper . The presenters according to the brochure spiel were "experts", engaging and informative". The day was held in a plush hotel suite, a la carte lunch and all that jazz. I guess I was negative about other training because of how bad it was"

I replied that the course I was running was free and organisationally supported but a packed lunch or a trip to the food court was needed for lunch.

Then I asked why her paid training day was so bad.

Greasing the cake tin is just as important as the recipe

"It was just awful. Before you know, it an hour had gone and the presenters were still talking about how great they were and it was so predictable..it was drivel. When the actual course started, we had to complete really naff ice -breakers. Then we had one presenter and basically, it was just them talking from powerpoint and it started to hit me that she really didn't know their subject matter".

"At morning coffee a few of us were talking and we all came to the conclusion that clinically, the presenter hadn't actually walked the walk. It was so theoretical and a few us on the course questioned them how realistic it was to put their ideas into practice in busy clinical areas. The presenter became so defensive"

Sensing a venting moment...I listened...

"Then Jim, she turned it on the group. Almost telling us that we were unprofessional clinicians and we were typical of healthcare workers who cut corners. Another delegate asked her what their practical experience was in the subject they were teaching. Again, she became defensive". It was so poor and they were charging a lot of money.

"She presented one big part of the session and the following presenters could sense we were all annoyed but to be honest, they were hardly any better".

The dreaded feedback form

I asked if she left feedback..." oh yes I did, and there wasn't enough room in the little boxes provided and the food wasn't that good either".

The difference?

"So you know Jim how you introduced yourself today and told the group your background, you were someone who had actually worked at the coal face in many places....despite the fact you're a Pommie....you had me at 'I worked on..'.

The nurses experience reminded me of several courses/seminars I have attended. It was clear to see that certain presenters had minimal hands on experience, yet made out they were experts in the subject. I have always personally believed that if you present or deliver something...you need to have a good idea of what you are taking about. That for me, means you have actually undertaken the work you are presenting.

Everyone knows a wise old owl

A wise old nurse once told me..."One day young man you will be teaching student nurses to draw up and give injections, just like I am now to you....make sure you draw up and actually give a few injections before you start teaching them...kind of helps if you know what I mean"

Over the last few months, I have displayed a slide of my background and qualifications related to the subject I am teaching on every course I deliver. It has been met with very positive feedback. I have had several people comment positively on the information and it always came down to the fact I had actually been there and done it.