They stand back and allow participants to do what they need to do in activities.

I have been a participant in training on many occasions and I remember times when the trainer would wander around the room to check if participants were doing the activities. I always hated this.

Training is an artificial environment to start with. You will never simulate the real world.

The best thing to do in training is to give people the opportunity to practise without fear of failure.

When a trainer is wandering around the room checking on participants, this creates a fear of failure.

Great trainers trust themselves and their participants so that when they set up an activity, participants are free to test, try, experiment, play, and experience…or not!

If a participant makes a decision to not do an activity, that is their choice.

When material is framed well at the beginning and the concept or theory is explained effectively, participants are usually happy to have a try. So there is no need to watch over them.

Having said that, the trainer’s job during activities is to provide support and, if necessary, coaching.

It may appear that I’m detached at the side of the room and concentrating on something else, but in fact I’m using my peripheral vision and hearing to stay in touch with the group. 

Three things to keep in mind:

1. Create a space where you retreat to when they are doing activities.
2. Leave the participants to test, try, experiment, play, and experience.
3. Provide support where necessary.