Dr. Alexander George, Professor, CTI, Mannuthy
The trainer often has little say in deciding who will be deputed for training. Hence when trainees report for training the trainer no other option but to understand the personality of the Trainee and choose the appropriate stimulus to get the desired behaviour as outcome. It can be useful for the trainer to understand the broad categories under which trainees may be classified. The masculine pronoun has been used for convenience and there is no gender discrepancy in the categorization.
1. Keen Learner: He has sincerely come to learn. Whether benefited or not he considers it a privilege to attend the training. The trainer must assume that all trainees belong to this category while that may not be the reality.
2. Resource & Guide: He may be a knowledgeable and experienced farmer. The trainer should exploit his presence and appreciate his contribution. However beware of the trainee who only pretends to be a Resource & Guide. This person may keep smiling and nodding his head only to convey the message to the trainer: Please do not disturb me.
3. Born Superior has no quarrel with the trainer, but wants to tell colleagues that he is more than equal. He tends to interrupt frequently – an urge that seems from the craving need for recognition. Usually other trainees can handle him once his interruptions become a nuisance.
4. Grudging Admirer: This person has a grudge (may be he was senior to the trainer in college, but has now to sit under his junior’s tutelage or may be he too had applied for the same post as the trainer but somehow didn’t get through the interview). Despite his grudge, this trainee also had an admiration for the trainers’ competency or ability. In such cases it is always better for the trainer to acknowledge the Grudging Admirer in order to avoid aggressive behaviour.
5. Circus Audience: A certain percentage to trainees deputed come for training only because they had no other option. They may be either disinterested or may have come with some hidden agenda: their native place was close to the training venue, or some work had to be followed up at the Head Quarters or some work had to be avoided at the base office. For such trainees, the alternative agenda, the trainee still goes back in some way benefited in Knowledge, Attitude and Skill.
6. Jealous Opponent: Unlike the Grudging Admirer, he has no admiration. His is basically an ego problem that stems from an inferiority complex. He asks questions to prove the trainer wrong. If not handled properly, interactions with him may lead to tense situations resulting in a total breakdown of training ambience.
