How to Train an Effective Team as a Facility Director
- Mike Spence
- Feb 7, 2017
- 3 min read
In our previous blog "How to Hire an Effective Team as a Facility Director," we discussed that hiring the right people is an important first step in creating a great team. If you have accomplished hiring the right people, training them on new techniques, equipment and products will boost their confidence and provide your company with outstanding results.
When delivering training remember that there isn't one method that fits everyone. Your team is made up of humans, and they will absorb and process information differently, and your training methods need match their individual preferences.
Some people would rather read a manual, while others prefer a classroom style explanation, and some need to see a demonstration. When training a group, your best approach is to use a combination of methods. When you’re training one-on-one, change your delivery to fit the preference of the person you’re training.
Use role-playing to teach, practice and reinforce
One of the most effective training techniques is role-playing, which involves showing an employee how to do something and then allowing them to practice it in a safe, controlled environment. If the task includes complicated skills, let the employee role play with a co-worker to practice what they should do and how to overcome mistakes in various situations.
Be an active role model
One mistake that we can all make as leaders is that we expect more from your employees than you’re willing to do ourselves. Many times this is unintentional, so it is good to take an honest assessment of what we are demanding of our team and make an effort to be the best at those things. You’re a good role model when you do things the way they should be done, and the way you have trained, all the time; every time. Refrain from taking shortcuts you wouldn't want your employees to take or behave in any way that you don’t want them to behave. On the other hand, don’t assume that simply doing things the right way is enough to teach others how to do things.
Look for training opportunities
Once you get beyond basic orientation and job skills training, you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to enhance the skills of your team. For example, if you notice one of your employees performing their job exceptionally well, publicly recognize them and allow them to teach their co-workers something new. By sharing the training effort, it will bond the team and provide a boost of confidence to your team.
Share Stories
Whenever possible, share real stories of your experiences doing the tasks you are training them to do. Both "nightmare" and "positive" stories work very well. For example, "Let me tell you why we put caution signs out when we perform our work. One time our CEO came walking through the lobby and was distracted by a conversation on his cell phone. He never noticed our equipment until he tripped and fell into a container of cleaning solution we had prepared. Needless to say, he was not happy." True stories make it real and memorable.
Anticipate and Encourage Questions
Don’t assume that employees know what to ask, especially when they are new to the team. Make it easy for them to understand and keep an open mind when they approach you later to ask questions. Encourage your team to provide candid feedback about the training they have received. Do they have suggestions on how it could have been better? Were there elements that we too difficult to understand? What would they add to the training if they could? If you can convince them that it’s OK to tell you the truth, you can use that information to improve your skills moving forward which can make you a better leader.
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