This book is a practical guide to succeeding in today’s corporate training profession. It provides the essential knowledge and insight needed to fuel career development and achieve excellence for both novice and experienced trainers.
This book is a practical guide to succeeding in today’s corporate training profession. It provides the essential knowledge and insight needed to fuel career development and achieve excellence for both novice and experienced trainers. In this book, the author draws upon 20 years of “in the room” experience and evidence-based, proven practices to present a comprehensive roadmap for building a rewarding, long-term career. The book is concise enough to be read in a few sittings while providing sufficient depth to also serve as a reference book that readers regularly refer to when in need of solutions or inspiration.
With its holistic approach and blend of practical advice, real-world examples, and proven methodologies, this book fills an unmet need in the market for a book that answers two questions:
1. “How do I build a successful career in training?” for those new to the profession.
2. “How do I improve my results and increase my business?” for experienced trainers.
Essentially, this book is a practical guide to building a successful career as a corporate trainer. Readers will learn the knowledge, skills, and practices that create the most successful training results and fuel long-term career success. In addition, it provides clear advice on mental preparation, dealing with common problems, career advancement, and effectively growing and managing the business of a trainer.
Section 1: Fundamentals.
1. Qualifications.
2. What Do I Call Myself?.
3. Adult Learning.
4. Experiential Learning.
5. Their World, Not Yours.
Section 2: Priming for Success.
6. The Linchpin of Success.
7. Erroneous
Beliefs.
8. Domain Knowledge.
9. Managing Impostor Syndrome.
10. Your Magic.
11. Common Derailers.
12. You Have Three Clients. Section 3: Self-Management.
13. Energy Management.
14. Your Pre-delivery Mantra.
15. Getting into Flow.
16. Your Inner Life. Section 4: Planning and Design.
17. Preparing Yourself.
18. Setting Up the Training Space.
19. Designing Content.
20. Opening Hot.
21. Adjusting on the Fly.
22. Curating Pre-Work. Section 5: Skills.
23.
Displaying Presence.
24. Managing Energy Flow.
25. Facilitation.
26. Working
with Assessments.
27. Virtual Facilitation.
28. Listening and Observing.
29.
Linking.
30. Storytelling.
31. Summarizing.
32. Debriefing. Section 6:
Practices.
33. Give Them Time to Process.
34. Close the Gap.
35. Session
Planning.
36. Avoid the Pulpit.
37. Let Them Fail.
38. Once Its Working,
Improve It.
39. Your Personal Debrief.
40. Experiment, Intelligently.
41.
Hone Your Process.
42. Coach Whenever Possible.
43. Push for Follow-Up.
44.
Engage Introverts.
45. Meet People Where They Are.
46. Turn Insight into
Action.
47. Working with Co-Facilitators.
48. Nurture Dissent. Section 7:
Common Problems and Their Solutions.
49. They Arent Engaged.
50. Something
Seems Off.
51. A Disruptive Presence in the Room.
52. Facility Problems.
53.
You Arent Feeling It. Section 8: Three Career Phases.
54. Phase 1: Am I
Good?.
55. Phase 2: Im Good. What Now?.
56. Phase 3: The Comfort Zone and
Beyond.
57. Courses and Certifications.
58. Career Development Best
Practices. Section 9: Business Matters.
59. The Long Sales Cycle.
60. You
Have a Business to Run.
61. Be Strategic about Partnerships.
62. A Trusted
Advisor.
63. When Clients Are Wrong.
64. Build Your Value.
65. Reputation.
66. Calculating and Negotiating Fees.
67. Make Care Your Core.
68. Be a
Trainer Who Sells.
Truett Black is a veteran corporate trainer, facilitator, and executive coach with over two decades of experience working with multinational companies across Asia, North America, and Europe. He has trained and mentored hundreds of trainers, helping them refine their craft and elevate their impact. As the founder of True Development, True has designed and delivered thousands of hours of corporate training across various subjects. Known for his candid, practical approach, Truett brings humor, insight, and real-world wisdom to every session. Training Zen distills years of expertise into a concise, powerful guide for trainers who want to master their craft, engage their learners, and build a sustainable career in the industry.
