Hostility
Sometimes, during training, you may run into problem situations where a student's behavior seems inappropriate or disruptive. A student might express frustration or even open hostility—toward you, the company, or even another student. The first thing to remember is this: don't take it personally. Just because someone is acting out doesn't mean their feelings are directed at you or the training itself. They might be dealing with something outside of class or have had a bad experience with safety procedures in the past. Your goal is to handle the situation calmly and professionally without letting it derail the session.
What to do? If you notice a student who seems overactive, constantly interrupting, or unusually quiet and withdrawn, you can use a few key strategies to keep the training on track and protect the learning environment for everyone.
- Try to reduce the problem behavior carefully: Sometimes, simply acknowledging the concern can help. For example, if a student keeps interrupting with off-topic questions, you can say, "That's a great point—let's talk more about that during the break." If someone openly disagrees with your approach, it's okay to say, "We may not see this the same way, and that's okay. Let's keep moving forward." If the behavior continues, it might be best to take a short break and speak privately with the student to address the issue without embarrassing them in front of others.
- Maintain the student's self-esteem: No matter how frustrated you might feel, never belittle or criticize the student. Don't accuse them of being lazy, unmotivated, or difficult. Comments like "You're just trying to stir things up" or "You clearly don't care about safety" only make things worse. Instead, stay respectful and give them the benefit of the doubt. You might say, "I see this topic is frustrating. Let's see how we can work through it together."
- Avoid further disruptions: Keep the training environment calm and welcoming. Don't let your emotions get involved—even if a student is pushing your buttons. Stay professional, stay objective, and keep your focus on the training. If the tension is affecting others, you might say to the group, "Let's all stay focused on learning today. We'll address individual concerns one-on-one when needed." This helps maintain control without calling anyone out publicly.
By using these strategies, you help ensure that even a tense moment doesn't ruin the session. You keep the focus where it belongs—on learning, safety, and respect.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-2. Which trainer response best maintains a student's self-esteem during a frustrating topic?
You forgot to answer the question!