Build trust and rapport

This week we've jumped into "The Ultimate Training Workshop Handbook" by Bruce Klatt which gives tons of instructions and advice on how to run the best possible workshop. Right now in class we're beginning to plan for our own workshops so the information all seems pertinent.

One specific section that jumped out for me in Chapter One was the section on trust and how to build it as an instructor. This is something I can see myself applying in my Comm 101 classes as, thinking back to great teachers I've had in the past, trust is a key issue in being an effective instructor.

First, Klatt outlines how important it is to keep any trust you gain - once lost, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to gain back. To give your students an aura of trust about you, you must also trust them in return and be genuinely interested in them as students. Another important element  - and something that resounds with me as I try hard to live this in my daily life - is understanding that you are not perfect as an instructor and admitting when you are wrong or don't know, instead of just BSing. Taking responsibility for yourself as the instructor will hopefully garner respect from your participants and they are more likely to trust what you say because they know you will own up if you don't know something.

Another element of trust is openness and working to be a 'real person' as well as an instructor, which is an element of my teaching philosophy (currently under development). I think in most circumstances, this can lead to more trust and respect since participants come to understand that you are being truthful and up front about the topic and not trying to skirt around issues. Along with openness comes being congruent, reliable and supportive, all very important elements in trust.

Another element to go along with trust is rapport. Klatt gives an example of good rapport as the class having an inside joke, possibly even laughing at you as the instructor, but in a good humored way. I think this is a great way to connect with a class and again ties back to being a real person who is relatable. Inevitably that will lead the class to trust you more.

I teach two sections of Comm 101 and I can tell that I have a much better rapport with one class than the other, and I haven't yet been able to pinpoint exactly why. In my morning class that I teach twice a week the students are often difficult to engage and don't seem interested a lot of the time. However, when I do the same exercises with my night class, they quickly engage. That is the class that I can tell I have a better rapport with. I put it down partly to the time of day - for example, if I show a funny video clip to illustrate a point, the morning class will sit there in silence while my night class will crack up - so it's not all me! But in the night class it seems the students are much more apt to joke around with me; a standing joke in the class is making fun of me biking to campus in my high heels :) I never thought much about the joking as a specific way to build rapport, it just comes more naturally later in the day I think, but now I plan to try and implement a few more jokes into my morning class to see if it builds a better rapport with those students.