The Biggest Mistakes New Trainers Make And How To Avoid Them

When someone starts delivering training for the first time, they often feel a mix of excitement and pressure. They want to get it right, look credible, and keep people engaged. The problem is that most new trainers focus on the wrong things.

These mistakes are common — and completely fixable. In fact, they are exactly the challenges we help people overcome on our Train the Trainer courses, where we support trainers to deliver sessions with confidence, structure and impact.

In This Article You Will Learn

• The most common mistakes new trainers make
• Why these mistakes happen
• How to avoid them using simple, practical techniques

Mistake 1: Trying to Cover Too Much Content

New trainers often feel they need to “show value” by including as much information as possible. This usually leads to rushed delivery, overloaded slides, and learners who feel overwhelmed.

How to Avoid It

• Decide on the key outcome first: what should learners be able to do after the session?
• Cut anything that doesn’t support that outcome.
• Leave space for questions, examples, and practice.

Mistake 2: Talking Too Much

It is natural to want to fill silence when you are nervous. However, training is not a lecture. Adults learn best when they are involved, not when they are spoken at for long periods.

How to Avoid It

• Ask questions frequently and invite discussion.
• Use short activities to get people thinking and applying.
• Pause deliberately and allow learners time to reflect.

Mistake 3: Relying on Slides as a Script

Slides are meant to support learning, not replace the trainer. When a trainer reads from slides or uses them as their main structure, the session feels flat and learners disengage.

How to Avoid It

• Keep slides simple and visual, not text-heavy.
• Use your voice and examples to bring the content to life.
• Build your session structure outside the slides.

Mistake 4: Not Checking Understanding

New trainers often assume that silence means understanding. In reality, learners may be confused, distracted, or simply hesitant to speak.

How to Avoid It

• Ask simple check questions throughout the session.
• Use quick pair discussions to get learners talking.
• Ask learners to explain concepts back in their own words.

Mistake 5: Not Building in Practice

Learning does not happen fully through explanation alone. Confidence comes from doing. Without practice, learners leave training unsure how to apply what they have learned.

How to Avoid It

• Include short practice tasks as you go, not just at the end.
• Use realistic scenarios that reflect the workplace.
• Give feedback that helps learners improve immediately.

These challenges are commonly addressed on well-designed Train the Trainer programmes, where trainers learn how to structure sessions and manage group dynamics effectively.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Group Dynamics

Every group has its own energy. New trainers sometimes miss what is happening in the room — the dominant voice, the quiet learners, the side conversations — until it becomes difficult to manage.

How to Avoid It

• Set expectations early about participation and respect.
• Use structured activities that involve everyone.
• Address distractions calmly and early before they grow.

Final Thoughts

Every trainer makes mistakes when they start out. The key is to learn from them quickly and develop a simple, effective approach to planning and delivery. The biggest improvement often comes from structure, clarity and practice — not from being “naturally confident”.

If you would like to build your trainer confidence and learn a proven approach to delivering training, explore our Train the Trainer programmes at Target Training Associates. You can also speak to our team on 0800 302 9344 or email us at info@targettrg.co.uk. We are always happy to help.