My First In-Person Training Delivery: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Growth

Photo by Meg Boulden on Unsplash

My First In-Person Training Delivery: A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Growth

After five years of remote work with BlastX Consulting, I have embarked on a new professional journey as Director, Training (Analytics & GMP) at Jellyfish, a prominent ad agency in London. The transition to a hybrid work model brought its share of challenges and excitement. To understand my journey better, you can read my previous blog post about this transition: Navigating New Waters.

In my initial months at Jellyfish, I had already delivered my first virtual training session, "Getting Started with Google BigQuery," which I covered in my previous blog post: My First Training Session.

The In-Person Training Experience

This week, I had the new experience of conducting my first in-person training sessions at the Jellyfish Training Center, located in The Shard. The venue provided a stunning backdrop of London from the 28th floor.

My week was packed with two courses: "Introduction to Google Analytics 4 Reporting" and "Google Analytics 4: Implementation & Configuration." The experience was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.

Dealing with Anxiety

As the weekend approached, I couldn't escape the mounting anxiety about the "Introduction to Google Analytics 4 Reporting" session scheduled for Monday. Delivering in-person training to 15 delegates, especially given my extensive experience with remote work and virtual training, felt daunting. I confess I was anxious, experiencing imposter syndrome despite my extensive knowledge of Google Analytics 4.

I knew that projecting confidence was vital to create a positive learning environment. If I showed nerves, my delegates, who came from various backgrounds and hadn't met each other before, might feel equally anxious. They were here to learn from a stranger, and I had to make them feel comfortable.

The Challenge of Self-Doubt

Midway through the session, my self-doubt reached its peak. I felt like I was rambling, and I couldn't help but worry about whether the delegates found the topic engaging and what they thought of me as a trainer.

Adding to my anxiety, my experienced colleague, Nick, was present to shadow my first in-person training session. I had previously watched Nick conduct his sessions during my induction, admiring his smooth delivery, confidence in front of new people, and his ability to foster an engaging learning environment. The bar was set high.

A Surprising Turn of Events

Nick seemed to sense my struggle and offered words of encouragement. It was a reassuring moment that helped boost my confidence.

During the final break, I still believed the session wasn't going well. But as I stepped outside for a brief vaping break, one of the delegates passed me in the corridor and complimented the course.

This experience taught me that anxiety can often distort our perspective. It's essential to remember this for future endeavors. Despite my internal struggles, I had delivered a successful first in-person training session.

Day 2: A New Beginning

With newfound confidence, I approached day 2 with a much smaller group, only two delegates, one of whom had attended the previous day's course. The topic, "Google Analytics 4: Implementation & Configuration," was one I felt more confident about.

The day 2 course delved into the intricacies of implementation, a topic often considered drier than reporting. To many, the world of analytics can be challenging to grasp, and trying to explain it to family and friends usually results in puzzled expressions. So, the idea that implementation might be drier than reporting brought a wry smile to my face.

Conclusion

My first in-person training delivery was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with self-doubt and anxiety, but ultimately, it was a learning experience that boosted my confidence. It reminded me that, sometimes, our perception of our performance can be far from reality. Moving forward, I'm excited to continue my journey as a trainer at Jellyfish and to share more of these learning experiences with you. Stay tuned for more insights into my training journey!