Challenging Participant Scenarios for Preventive Health Trainers
Scenario 1: Know-it-alls
Throughout the day, this participant constantly challenges you and the materials in the course of the program. They show dominant behavior in the group, have opinions on everything, believe that they are always right, and intimidate others.
- How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 2: Derailers
This participant constantly directs the discussion and activities off track, especially in small group participation. They are talkative and ask questions that are unrelated to the current topic being discussed.
- How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 3: Whiners
Throughout the day, this participant constantly complains/whines, even on your Course Evaluation! They are usually unhappy, and blame others for their problems.
Everything is an issue: “The chairs are hard” “I am cold, I am hot” “The class is too long” “I am hungry, etc.”
- How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 4: Attackers
This participant makes it very clear that they do not want to be in or participate in training. They may be hostile, make personal attacks, and use strong and sometimes inappropriate language to intimidate others.
- How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 5: Class Clowns
Throughout the day, this participant constantly turns everything into a joke, is humorous, and makes a mockery of the training.
- How do you handle this situation?
Scenario 6: Side Talkers
After going over your housekeeping rules re: phones, bathrooms, side-conversations, etc., there is a group of participants that continues to engage in “side-talking”. Even after being asked to stop. Or, you notice one of the participants constantly texting-giggling-texting throughout the class. He does not participate in any of the group activities and does not contribute in the group discussions; rather, continue to text on his phone.
This side talking has become excessive, affecting you and the other participants.
- How do you handle this situation? Remember: This is only the morning of an 8-hour day.
Scenario 7: Silent Types
One of your participants is paying attention, but never raises their hand or volunteers to answer a question. They aren't talking to their classmates either. Their body language does not tell you if they are understanding and processing what you are saying.
- How do you handle this situation, what are your concerns?
Scenario 8: Sleepers
Regardless of how much you try, the participant is seen sleeping throughout the course. Even after you give multiple breaks, they return to their chair and fall instantly back to sleep.
- How do you handle this situation, what are your concerns?
Bonus: Late-Late-Late!
This is Day One of your Two-Day, 16-hour training program. Four participants arrive 45 minutes late to class, explaining that they had the wrong start time.
After break, the same participants return to class 10 minutes late.
After lunch, the same participants return to class 20 minutes late.
- How do you handle this situation? This is Day 1, what are your concerns for Day 2?
Bonus: Nutrition Challenge
You have a participant that has just moved to a new location, and states that “I only need the 1 hour of Nutrition, what time do I need to come for the Nutrition piece, can I leave right after?" They become combative once they are informed that they must attend the full 8 hours per licensing.
- How should you address this situation?
