Principles of Professionalism for Trainers

Integrity is the common denominator that defines professionalism for all types of trainers, be it personal, educational, business or animal training.

Considerations

Never promise more than you can perform.

The student or client must be the primary focus. Everything is done for his benefit. You should enter into a contract with your clients or students in which you outline what can be expected from you. You should ascertain their wishes and concerns and outline how you will attempt to honor these expectations. This way you will avoid misunderstandings.

To help yourself keep these promises, you must maintain organized records and present and instill a positive outlook in yourself, your clients or proteges and your employees or aides if there are any.

Training the Trainer

Never cease to learn.

As a successful trainer, you must keep up with the latest trends in your profession and use and incorporate those that meet the needs of your clients. It is your responsibility to preserve optimal standards of performance, to be on the cusp of anything new or worthy of note. Take courses, join forums and form relationships with others in your discipline. Keep current.

Function

Purpose and direction are key.

The job of a trainer is to help set individual goals, to make them reasonable and to facilitate each person's attempts to accomplish them. You need to encourage and advise, both in person and in writing, giving updates and feedback on each client's progress. In this way the aspirations can evolve along with the person.

Resources

• Julia G. Thompson
• The Apple: Where Teachers Meet and Learn