Ask, Not Tell

I was an observer for an advanced level technical knowledge training class recently in Shanghai.   The trainer is an ultra-experienced banker with strong academic background and impressive scholar appearance.    But like most SME experts, he has a high tendency to lecture.   He attempted to ask question, but he answered himself.   To be specific, he lectured (literally, one way….) for over 60 minutes in the morning of day 1, out of the 5 days – not a very engaging start.

I was asking myself what I would do if I was him.  

• Pre-course reading
• On-site reading, followed by discussion
• Ice-breaker
• Arouse dialogue by interactive course design
• Story

Avoid lecture whenever possible.   If you have to do it, do it with story and analogy….