I have often mentioned in my train the trainer blogs the importance of trainers being aware of the different types of delegate attending programmes and the need for a flexible approach to ensure compatibility with different delegate behaviour types. There are many different ways of achieving this. Some trainers use Kolb Learning Styles; where, after completing a questionnaire, delegates can assess their individual preferred learning styles and trainers can be aware of whether delegates are an Activist, Pragmatist, Theorist or Reflector. Trainers can not only ensure learning content is designed to be appropriate to each of the four learning styles but can better appreciate how to bring out the best in delegates. There are other profiling questionnaires, that can provide equally useful information for a similar purpose, for train the trainer programmes or indeed other subject areas as well.
There is a new ten question on-line questionnaire, which delegates can use to receive instantaneous feedback on their natural behavioural preferences. The questionnaire, called iMA, was originated by James Knight and has been extremely successful. In the short period since its launch there are now over 50,000 people worldwide who now know their iMA style and use that knowledge to improve their effectiveness whenever they interact with others.
iMA stands for Identify – Modify – Adapt. The principles are used to enhance communication, teamwork and interaction between people with different behavioural characteristics and have been used very successfully on train the trainer programmes. The questionnaire results are summarised using four colours; red, yellow, blue and green, very similar to Insights. The term; High Red, High Yellow, High Blue or High Green is used to define where the individual is strongest.
The questionnaire is valuable in understanding the communication styles of delegates. This is appropriate to any delegate attending any type of training programme, however especially so for trainers and delegates working through train the trainer programmes.
Over my next four train the trainer blogs I shall be highlighting each of the different communication styles (colours) and looking specifically at how trainers can use the information gained through iMA to assist in the development of new trainers.
By Kasmin Cooney OBE | Righttrack’s Managing Director