Chris Gilkes

Originally in retail operational management, then a trainer in the telecoms industry, Chris has been a Management Consultant since 1997. She has successfully achieved business audits, needs analysis, the design and delivery of learning solutions and end-to-end management of projects. She has worked primarily within the service sector, including financial services, utilities, telecommunications, retail, direct sales, leisure and local government departments. Her specialisms are change management, leadership and personal development all of which she approaches from a behavioural or psychological perspective.

Chris has a degree in psychology and is trained in NLP, Emotional intelligence, Accelerated Learning, Transactional Analysis, Psychometric, Strength Deployment Inventory, Belbin Team Roles, LIFO Development Inventory, as well as the Blanchard Situational Leadership programme. She is also Ability Test Certified.

What has been your most rewarding training experience?

Going to India for a month to train a contact centre in cultural change for customer service.

Any bizarre or amusing training stories?

We lost a delegate for a whole afternoon once. They had accepted a high risk challenge during on of my sessions and ended up training for a parachute jump with the Red Arrows.

What made you want to become a trainer?

Originally a manager, I was looking for a way that I could spend more time developing people, helping them be more fulfilled and build their confidence.

What would you be if not a trainer?

A charity worker of some sort, maybe coaching or counselling in prisons with young adults.

Which four words describe your training style?

experiential
high energy
fun
enthusiasm

Feedback you’d most like to get from a delegate following your course?

It made a difference or encouraged them to make a change as a result.

Feedback you’d probably get from delegates following one of your courses?

They usually say I’m so full of energy and enthusiasm that I wear them out!

Any words of advice for a delegate about to go on one of your courses?

Expect something a bit different, expect to be challenged and for the sessions to be high risk.

What’s the most fun you’ve ever had while on a training course?

I will let you know shortly.

What’s the most important ingredient in order for a course to be successful?

The opportunity to practice it, practice makes all the difference.