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I was recently awarded a position at my workplace, in healthcare. It expands into a different area for me after being in my old position for nine years. To make a long story short, my trainer has been there a few years longer than me, and has been doing the job that I am to be trained in for about three years now. This person was at one time a beginner as well, yet expects me to grab a totally new concept almost immediately after explaining it. If I make an error, I'm reminded by my trainer how critical it is that all information that I input be accurate. I get that!! I know how critical this job is and I'm up to the challenge. However when I'm met with critical and condescending comments and "attitude," it is very discouraging. Just when I'm feeling like I'm doing well (I am given a bit of praise for my progress), I get shot down with a negative/critical comment or behaviour.

I don't mind being worked hard when I'm learning new things. I learn better with positive encouragement and attitudes. I relax more and my mind becomes open and more able to grab the new tasks. How do I go into my second week of training and be patient with myself and not take the impatient, negative attitude personally? I'm not one of those people who are awesome right off the bat.

Thanks for reading my message!


When dealing with a trainer who is challenged when it comes to demonstrating patience and providing constructive feedback, it is particularly important for you to be sure that you are focusing your attention on your work and on the information that the trainer is providing. If you let yourself become distracted by this trainer’s style and questionable training skills, your learning is going to be delayed and your performance will suffer.


An additional strategy is for you to ask the trainer if she has any additional exercises that you can practice, materials that you can read, or additional tutorials that you can access in order to further expedite the training process. If any such resources exist, they are going to help you move out of the trainee role even faster. And even if none exists, the act of asking for them is going to further demonstrate your motivation and desire to succeed, and that might have a positive impact on the way the trainer treats you.


The good news is that you are still early in the process, and you are going to be a trainee for a limited amount of time. Once you’re out of the trainee role, this situation will be behind you, and the challenge and growth of your new position will await you, unencumbered by a trainer who apparently needs to learn more about training.



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