Raising or lowering concern is the sixth motivational training technique. The previous five are discussed in earlier Tips: extrinsic-intrinsic motivation, success, knowledge of results, confidence, and interest. The last technique, feeling, is covered in the next Tip.
The learner may have a clear intent to learn. This may be because they care about the consequences of that learning- for example, certification. However, sometimes the learner’s concern can become overwhelming and make learning difficult.
6. Concern:
The learner’s level of concern relates to how much the learner cares about learning. A moderate level is necessary to increase the learner’s effort to learn. The level can be raised or lowered as needed to increase the learning effort.
Example
Raising Concern
An instructor can raise the learner’s level by mentioning that a certain piece of information is important or will be tested. As a result, this focuses and heightens the learner’s attention.
Lowering Concern
Level of concern can be lowered by assuring learners that:
- their learning preference and pace will be accommodated, or
- the training has been set up in small segments with lots of practice time to ensure that they are successful.
Few people learn well when they are highly anxious. There are many steps we can take to lower our participants’ level of concern. This will result in their feeling comfortable and relaxed enough to be open to learning.
It may be a simple matter of making sure that everyone introduces themselves before the training begins. This will ensure that everyone knows who is in the room. It may involve recognizing that participants’ status and ego are at stake. Consequently, care is taken to set each participant up for success. It may require using familiar metaphors to make a complex and seemingly difficult topic more accessible.
If your trainers would benefit from know how to use the seven motivational techniques, please book a call to discuss a tailored train-the-trainer program. https://laurelandassociates.com/contact/
