Experiential training is one of the best ways to help people increase their skill sets and learn more about themselves at the same time.  It is a relatively new technique, and is a lot different from many of the more well know training techniques.  For example, there are no presentations, and traditional role plays, which pit colleagues against each other are avoided.  Instead, the learning is structured so that staff have the opportunity to develop at their own speeds, while working with familiar scenarios that they might deal with on an everyday basis.

The main way to achieve this is to use specially trained actors.  Experiential training is about making sure that the employees getting trained are fully immersed in the scenario when they  start, and are then able to discover for themselves what does and doesn’t work.  Actors are given very detailed scenarios, based on issues the company has to deal with, and then the actors play out roles in theater workshops.  Employees are encouraged to get involved - whether by directing the actors, or by getting involved in the scenarios themselves.

Ideally, to begin with employees would direct the actors as they carried out the scenario, telling them what to do, replaying parts of the scenario etc.  Once the staff are comfortable with this, they should then get more involved, playing opposite the actors, and learning through the actors reactions.

The most important thing is that since the actors are have no agenda or vested interest in the company, the role plays can be taken to a level that stand role plays cannot be taken.  Staff can then discover for themselves what works and what does not work, and will usually show a much deeper and more natural level of skill after the training.

Related posts:

1. What Is Experiential Training?
2. Creative Training - Interesting The Staff
3. Making Sure That Training Role Plays Are Relevant

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