Virtual Training

21Set the Rules

I'm a known rule breaker. I don't like constraints and have always pushed back against rules. Even as I built and grew my company, I eschewed handcuffing my people with rules. I've successfully delivered thousands of hours of in-person training with only two rules for participants:

1. Turn off all devices, including laptops.
2. Come back from breaks on time.

I've rarely, if ever, needed more rules than these to control my classroom and keep things on track. After all, we're dealing with adults and I've always believed that the fastest path to mutual respect is to treat my learners like adults.

Virtual training is different. Here, rules matter. A clear set of rules should be covered beforehand and at the beginning of the training with both participants and their leaders. This approach enhances rather than detracts from the experience.

Rules are needed because virtual training has so many moving parts and, the sad fact is, participants and their leaders don't always give virtual training the same respect and attention that they give in-person training.

Rule One: Virtual Training Is Still Training

The first and most important objective of your virtual classroom rules should be to establish that virtual training is delivered at the same level as physical training and the same expectations apply.

Let's say that you brought in 20 people for an in-person training. At the beginning of class, you ask everyone to turn off their phones. You promise to give them plenty of ...