Skill Builder

Let's work through this together! Here's a scenario to help you practice implementing face$-$to$-$face training an working with difficult trainees at Taormina:

SETTING: A modern, well$-$equipped training room at Taormina's corporate headquarters. The room has a projector, whiteboard, comfortable seating arranged in a semi$-$circle, and individual workspaces. The trainees are mid$-$level managers undergoing a mandatory leadership development program.

SCENARIO: You are the Training Manager for Taormina. Two co$-$workers, Sarah and Mark, are role$-$playing a

training session. Sarah is the trainer, and Mark is playing the role of a difficult trainee, "David," known for his cynicism, resistance to new ideas, and frequent interruptions. David is a high$-$performing but highly resistant to change, senior sales manager who is skeptical of the new sales techniques being taught. He is known for interrupting, making sarcastic remarks, and generally being disruptive during meetings and training sessions. The training module focuses on implementing a new customer relationship management $($CRM$)$ system and updated sales strategies. The training session is already underway, and the tension is palpable. Sarah is struggling to maintain control and keep David engaged.

YOUR ROLE: You are observing Sarah and Mark's role$-$play. Your task is to provide feedback and guidance to Sarah on how to effectively handle David's challenging behavior while still delivering the training content.

FOLLOW$-$UP QUESTION: What would be your first step to implementing face$-$to$-$face training and working with difficult trainees like "David" within Tarmina, focusing on the immediate situation Sarah is facing with Mark $($as David$)?$