Trainers Toolbox

#30 - The Sailboat Metaphor: A Powerful Tool to Work with Strengths

You know your participants should focus on their strengths more than their weaknesses. You've seen the research. And yet - the moment you say "let's focus on what's working," everyone's attention goes straight to what isn't. Sound familiar? In this episode, I share a metaphor that can shift that - not just logically, but emotionally. The sailboat metaphor is one of my favourite tools for making strengths-based work click for people in a vivid, memorable way. I am sharing it first as a simple image you can use right away, but then also develop it into a full 8-element framework you can use to guide clients and groups through a deep exploration of their life, work, and wellbeing. What you'll explore: * Why focusing on strengths is so hard - even when we know it's the right thing to do * The sailboat metaphor in its simplest form: hulls, holes, and sails - and what each represents * The important difference between strengths and learned skills - and why it matters for energy and sustainable performance * The full 8-element sailboat framework: water, steering wheel, destination, leaks, sails, compass, weather, and other boats * How to use the compass element and how it connects to emotional intelligence work * How to use the weather element to open up resilience * How to scale this metaphor from a 5-minute warm-up image all the way to a half-day or full-day workshop DOWNLOAD FURTHER (FREE) MATERIALS 📘 Download the brief summary for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-the-sailboat-metaphor-a-powerful-tool-to-work-with-strengths/ When signing up for the brief summary, you will also gain access to two Miro boards: 🖌️ a Miro Board template to guide your clients or group through the full sailboat framework 🖌️a Miro Board with ~20 metaphor examples you can explore and bring into your work 🎙️ RELATED EPISODES Ep.10 - Fantastic Stories & How To Find Them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeoXcBj4lxk&list=PLbc4gIwDXChiNPte_duRDxSzUC65MkQ0q&index=11&t=1s Ep. 25 - Using the 4 Seasons Framework in Life & Workshops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfe4z6TG73M&list=PLbc4gIwDXChiNPte_duRDxSzUC65MkQ0q&index=26&t=239s Ep. 27 - How to Create a Bold Vision - with Paula Amiama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wtrS7909ZI&list=PLbc4gIwDXChiNPte_duRDxSzUC65MkQ0q&index=28 EXPLORE DEEPER ⛰️Advanced Storytelling Training - deepen how you use metaphors and stories in your work: https://trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-storytelling-course-for-trainers/ 💡 Trainers Conversations Community - a place to exchange, test, and play with tools like this all year: https://trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ LET'S CONNECT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ 💌Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

#29 - How to Facilitate Better Using Miro - with Carolina Poll

You know you need a visual collaboration tool for virtual sessions. Maybe you've already been using Miro. But are you actually facilitating with it - or just putting sticky notes on a board and hoping for the best? In this episode, I talk with Carolina Poll about what it really takes to use Miro as a facilitation tool: the features every trainer and facilitator should know, the traps that trip people up, and what separates a well-designed board from digital chaos. What you'll explore: * Why Miro is more than a whiteboard - and how to think about it as a facilitation tool * The key features every facilitator should master (and how to actually use them in sessions) * The most common traps and mistakes facilitators make with Miro - and how to avoid them * What a well-designed Miro board looks like for a workshop vs. one that just collects sticky notes 📘 Download the brief summary for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-facilitate-better-using-miro/ Miro templates from this episode:🖌️ International Women's Day Team Reflection: https://miro.com/templates/international-womens-day-team-reflection/🖌️ International Women's Day Workshop: https://miro.com/templates/international-womens-day-workshop/🖌️ Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ): https://miro.com/templates/lightning-decision-jam/ Are you just starting out with Miro or want to dive deeper? Check out these articles from Trainers Toolbox Blog:📰 How to Facilitate Better with Miro: A Practical Guide for Trainers and Facilitators: https://trainers-toolbox.com/how-to-facilitate-better-with-miro-a-practical-guide-for-trainers-and-facilitators/📰 Step by Step Facilitators’ Guide to Discovering Miro: https://trainers-toolbox.com/step-by-step-facilitators-guide-to-discovering-miro/ 🗣️ About Carolina Poll:Carolina Poll is a strategic product designer and workshop facilitator with 17+ years of experience, and also a Miro Creator and Miro MVP.She has over 100 templates on Miroverse.She works with early-stage SaaS founders and product teams to design better product experiences, and she does most of that work inside Miro. Carolina's links:🌐 Website: https://www.carolpoll.design/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolpoll/📬 Newsletter: https://www.carolpoll.design/notes-by-carol 🖌️ Templates: https://miro.com/templates/profile/carolina-poll/ Related episodes:🎙️ Ep. 2 - Seven Dimensions of Facilitation to Balance in Your Workshops: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-seven-dimensions-of-facilitation-to-balance-in-your-workshop🎙️ Ep. 20 - Designing with Intentionality for Better Workshops: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-designing-with-intentionality-for-better-workshops/ Explore deeper:🎓 Advanced Facilitation Training - A 2-day deep dive into facilitation skills for experienced trainers: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/🎓 Train the Trainer - 3-month foundations course for trainers building their practice: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/ Let's connect:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/📬 Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

#28 - Can Introverts Be Great Trainers? (Yes - Here's How)

Can you really thrive as a trainer if you're an introvert? If you've ever wondered whether this profession requires you to be the loudest person in the room - this one's for you. In this episode, I explore a question from a Train the Trainer participant about what "being a good trainer" actually means beyond being outgoing, how introverts can manage their energy during and after sessions, and why being an introvert might actually be your secret advantage. What you'll explore: - Why being a great trainer has nothing to do with being extroverted - and what it actually requires - How to manage your energy during and after training sessions as an introvert - Which training formats naturally suit introverted trainers (and why that matters) - The biggest misconceptions about introverts in this space - and how being one can actually be an advantage - Practical tips for getting started as a trainer if you are an introvert, dealing with nerves, and connecting with participants in your own way 📘 Download the brief summary for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-can-introverts-be-great-trainers/ BECOME A GREAT TRAINER 🎓 Train the Trainer - A 3-month foundations course for trainers building their practice, in a cozy group of 6: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer/ 🎓 Trainers Conversations - A year-long community of 22 trainers sharing ideas, challenges, and fresh inspiration with other trainers: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ An amazing book to explore for power of introverts: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17204619-quiet (And if you are looking for a longer list of amazing books, definitely check out The Ultimate Booklist for Trainers & Facilitators: https://trainers-toolbox.com/ultimate-booklist-for-trainers/) LET'S CONNECT 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ 📬 Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/

#27 - How to Create a Bold Vision - with Paula Amiama

What does it actually take to create a bold vision — one that’s honest, authentic, and truly yours? In this episode, I sit down with creativity and embodiment coach Paula Amiama to explore how trainers and facilitators can reconnect with what they really want, clear the noise that gets in the way, and build from a place of inner clarity rather than hustle. What you’ll explore in this conversation: - Why vision is orientation, not strategy — and what that changes - How to clear the fear, shame, and limiting beliefs that block bold thinking - Why letting go (even of good things) is essential for growth- What the four seasons framework teaches about honouring where you are - Why managing your state matters more than managing the problem 📘 Download the episode handout for main learnings & to keep reflecting: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-how-to-create-a-bold-vision/ 🗣️ About the guest Paula Amiama is a creativity and embodiment coach. After a wildly non-linear career across marketing, sustainability, innovation, and L&D, she’s stepped into building her own coaching & training business, Unlearn Studios, primarily supporting artists and creatives in bringing their boldest visions to life. Paula’s links: ✉️ Free — Unlearn Letters: Paula’s free Substack newsletter where she explores common beliefs that hold back our creativity, and promotes upcoming free workshops.https://paulaamiama.substack.com/ 🎨 Paid — Artful Club Membership: The home for creative women birthing their most meaningful work. The hub of her FLOW to FORM program — embodied practices, workshops, co-working sessions, community connection, and much more in a very accessible annual membership.https://artful-club.circle.so/join-artful-club 🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulaamiama/ 🎙️ Related episodes you might enjoy: Ep.19 — Self Check-In: Reset Your Focus & Energy in Under a Minute https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/podcast-episodes-self-check-in-reset-your-focus-and-energy-in-under-a-minute/ Ep.25 — Using the 4 Seasons Framework in Life & Workshops https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops/ Explore it deeper with Trainers Toolbox: 🌳 Treehouse Learning Getaway — A 4-day retreat in a peaceful forest in Croatia for a small group of 8 trainers and facilitators ready to step out of routine, recharge deeply, and reconnect with their vision and creativity. https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/ 🗫 Trainers’ Conversations Community — A year-long collaborative network of 22 dedicated trainers and facilitators focused on mutual growth, offering a supportive space for feedback, skill development, and creative exchange. https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ 💬 Let’s connect: Mirna Smidt — https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt Trainers Toolbox — https://www.trainers-toolbox.com 📖 Visualise by Maya Raichoora: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/219846699-visualise 📚 Looking for other great books for trainers and facilitators? Check out The Ultimate Booklist: https://trainers-toolbox.com/ultimate-booklist-for-trainers/

#26 - The 4 Keys That Turn Learning Into Real Change & Results

Most training doesn’t fail because things are missing in the content or in the learning experience itself. It fails because the change never makes it past the workshop. In this episode, I share a simple 4-key framework you can use in two ways: 1) to move your own skills-development, and business forward, and 2) to design programs that actually lead to results after the session. Explore it and take a moment to reflect which “key” could be strengthened in your own goals & workshops, strengthen it and skyrocket your results. 📘1-page summary: https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/the-4-keys-that-turn-learning-into-real-change-and-results/ 🎙️RELATED EPISODES: • Ep. 9 (Transfer): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-how-to-close-your-workshop-well-and-make-learning-last/ • Ep. 23 (Trainer wellbeing): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-protect-your-wellbeing-as-a-trainer-7-foundations-to-keep-you-flourishing/ • Ep. 25 (4 seasons): https://trainers-toolbox.com/podcast/podcast-episodes-using-the-4-seasons-framework-in-life-and-workshops/ 🧠LEARN MORE • Train the Trainer course: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/train-the-trainer-course/ • Advanced Facilitation Training: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/advanced-facilitation-training/ • Trainers Conversations Community: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-conversations-community/ • Treehouse Learning Getaway (Retreat): https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/trainers-retreat-tree-elements/• Emotional Journey Design (Online): https://trainers-toolbox.com/emotional-journey-design-course/ 💬LET’S CONNECT • Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirnasmidt/ • Newsletter: https://www.trainers-toolbox.com/newsletter/