Every now and then, during our hectic working hours, it’s a good idea to pause and take a step back. To look at our daily business and reflect on WHAT we are actually doing, HOW, and WHY.

As an avid reader of this blog, you are probably well occupied with holding training courses, workshops, or meetings every now and then.

Today we want to focus on training courses again. And on what to consider here.

Because as a trainer you can do a lot of things wrong from the point of view of current brain research. But fortunately, you can also do a lot of things right.

The experienced trainers among us probably follow most of these principles relatively automatically. However – and this is also a first neurodidactic principle – a little repetition never hurts.

So, here are four (there are many more, but we don’t want to run you over) of the most important principles you should follow in your training courses.

1. Learning is a physiological process

Learning requires the formation of new synapses. In turn, the formation of new synapses requires, above all, time and conditions conducive to growth. This includes sufficient sleep, exercise, and adequate activation.

Therefore, combine your input sessions with movement and relaxation exercises. Ask your participants to stretch, integrate energizers, “activate” them – especially during online events – at regular intervals.

Rather deal with ONE topic for a longer time and with different approaches than with too many different topics. As long as new neuronal connections are not yet consolidated, they are susceptible to interference – so too many learning experiences sometimes delete each other and should be avoided.

And, as already mentioned: Repetition is everything – leave tracks in the sand with your training methods.

2. The brain is a social organ

Learning processes are more effective when they are integrated into social processes.

Take time for an intensive get-to-know-each other / warm-up and for building up a basis of trust between trainer and participants. Suitable methods for this would be, for example, the “Joint Poster“, in which the commonalities of the group are noted in the middle of the flipchart and the individual concerns, preferences, hobbies, etc. are written around it.

Also, incorporate group work during which your participants collaborate and brainstorm together. Depending on the size of the group and the objectives, you can use methods such as the World Café and Fishbowl for larger groups, or the Disney Creativity Method, and Brainwalking, to name a few.

3. Give SENSE to your training courses

We all prefer to complete tasks when we know what they are for in the first place. The more meaning a task makes to my real life and the more it relates to my needs, the more motivated I usually am. For your training (as well as your workshop, by the way!) this means: clarify already in the order clarification phase, but at the latest at the beginning of the event:

• Where do we want to go?
• What are the short-term goals?
• What are the long-term strategies?

4. Use already existing neuronal patterns

New insights and experiences are linked to already existing ones.

Often it is already “well-worn” patterns that make further development more difficult. How do I deal with participants who, with the words “I’ve heard that before!“, adopt a relaxed “I don’t have to listen to this any further, let alone participate!” attitude.

Dare to appreciate and benefit from the competence of your participants!

Temporarily letting a participant take on the role of trainer requires some poise and courage, but usually pays off.

Make sure that you add to the inputs of your “co-trainers” as needed, change them or complete them with suggestions for improvement. The learning experience that your participants gain through this “learning by doing“, they will thank you for it for a long time!

This is a lot more preparatory work for you and the participants, but there is no better way to get to a higher level of learning!

Those were the four training tips from the perspective of current brain research. If you want to read more, check out our older blog articles on the topic.

All the best,
Your BusinessMind Team