Strategic Coach Resources

Knowing your team is well trained, especially on tasks you’ve delegated, gives you confidence and trust in their ability to work on their own in your absence.

This common training technique is simple, yet very effective. Many people mistakenly assume that telling someone how to do something is the same as training. As a learner, this can be overwhelming and can bring fear and panic if you think you’re expected to learn something after only being told once how to do it. For a better result with less stress, use the tell-and-show method by following these four progressive steps:

1. Tell them.
2. Show them.
3. Have them tell you.
4. Have them show you.

First, explain what the trainee needs to do to complete the activity. Then show them how to do it. After you show them, have them tell you in their own words what they understood. This allows you to give corrections before they risk making a mistake in front of you. Then, once they’ve clearly understood, have them show you themselves. Some may need to repeat the task several times before they can do it successfully on their own. Be patient and allow people time to absorb what they’re learning. People who have their own experience of completing a task will be more likely to complete it successfully later on.

Many people mistakenly assume that telling someone how to do something is the same as training.

Provide positive reinforcement and be open for questions and answers. Double-check the quality of work for the first couple of weeks or until you’re confident. The tell-and-show process protects the learner’s confidence, which results in more effective and efficient training. Once they are able to demonstrate that they know how to complete the task to your satisfaction, you’ll likely be confident enough to leave them alone to do it without further thought. This frees you up to focus on other things in your business, or to have great, stress-free Free Days™.