Claire Whittaker

Mostly through 15 years experience working for large organisations who employed professionals in their fields.  Learnt huge amounts from one particular manager who was an Occupational Psychologist with tons of experience and a passion for developing others.  Been on more TTT type courses than I care to remember plus executive coaching, assessment and development centres and qualified with the British Psychological Society on psychometric assessment.

What has been your most rewarding training experience?

Using self-managed Learning for a culture change programme to support an organisational re-branding.  It involved every member of the 2000 staff including the CEO and board and achieved amazing results.

Any bizarre or amusing training stories?

A colleague’s bra pad fell out as she was walking across the training room when we had 50 people on a month long course: the result was hysterics from everyone and a very embarrassed co-trainer once she realised what had happened.

What made you want to become a trainer?

I was lucky enough to get opportunities to train early in my career and loved doing it!

What would you be if not a trainer?

I’d have a small rural farm and be self-sufficient or run a joint flower/book/coffee shop.

Which four words describe your training style?

Pragmatic
Challenging
Supportive
Fun

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

Challenging, hard work but got what they wanted and fun in the process, will help them to make positive changes that will really add value to them and their organisation.

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

Hopefully pretty much as above

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

Be open minded and prepared for a challenge: the more you put into it the more you’ll get out of it.

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

Impossible to pick one as there are loads of examples: I love what I do which helps!

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

I don’t think there’s just one thing: you need to really understand the required outcomes, understand what the individuals want to gain and why and to be open minded to changing what’s been planned if you get new information along the way.