In the previous article, we discussed the fourth method, which is conducting training competitions. We suggested holding a competition involving identifying celebrity photos, a competition on dealing with difficult personalities, and another on time and priority management. In this article, we continue exploring different types of competitions that engage trainees:

Example 1:
In a training course held in Khafji, Saudi Arabia, for Al-Khafji Joint Operations Company, titled "Productive and Unproductive Roles of Managers," there were 40 managerial roles discussed.

Competition Motivates Trainees, Fosters a Competitive Spirit, and Is Better Than a Theoretical Lecture

A list of these roles was distributed, and then real-life managerial scenarios were randomly displayed on a screen. Each team was asked to analyze the scenario and identify the role being performed by the manager in question.

This competition energized the trainees and fostered a competitive spirit among them. It was undoubtedly much more effective than simply delivering a theoretical lecture listing those roles.

Example 2:
During a training course for the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company on mutual trust between managers and their teams, we conducted a competition about global companies that declared bankruptcy due to the deterioration of trust between management and employees.

Company logos were displayed, and trainees were asked to identify the companies by name.

Many trainees could not believe that giant companies like Trans World Airlines (TWA), Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), and the energy company Enron had declared bankruptcy due to a lack of mutual trust between them and their internal and external clients!

Example 3:
In a training course for the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation on "Effective Communication with Clients," we displayed famous quotes and asked trainees to use an online search engine to identify their authors.

For example, we posed the following questions:
"Who said, 'Judge a person by the type of questions they ask rather than the answers they give'?"
"Who said, 'You may not have the power to make people love you, but you have the power to make them respect you'?"

The first quote is by Voltaire, and the second is by the renowned Egyptian trainer Ibrahim Elfiky.

This method proved far more engaging than simply presenting the quotes with their attributions without any challenge.

Example 4:
During a training course at the Petroleum Training Center on "The Importance of a Clear Mission for Successful Companies," we displayed mission statements from leading global corporations such as Apple, Microsoft, Walmart, and Google.

Trainees were asked to use an online search engine to match each statement to the corresponding company.

For instance, we presented the following mission statements:
"To deliver the best user experience to customers through innovative hardware, software, and services."
"To maximize the value of Kuwait’s hydrocarbon resources through exploration, development, and production to ensure sustainability."

The first statement belongs to Apple, while the second belongs to Kuwait Oil Company.

This approach was far more effective than simply listing corporate mission statements without requiring any effort from the trainees to identify them.

Example 5:
In a training session for an oil sector company on managerial talents, trainees were given incomplete phrases and asked to fill in the missing words by watching a video clip.

This technique ensured that trainees paid close attention to the video content and took notes diligently.

For example, we presented the following incomplete phrase:
"We must find a solution to this problem, as there is no place for ___."

A clip from the film Apollo 13 was then played. Those who paid attention to the scene knew that the missing word was "failure."

Example 6:
During a training session at the Kuwait Credit Bank on "Challenges of Change in the Modern Era," trainees were given phrases with missing words, and only the first letter of each missing word was revealed. They had to guess the full words.

For example:
"There are twenty 'R' performed by 'M' in 'S' companies."

Trainees had to determine that the missing words were "Roles", "Managers", and "Successful", forming the complete phrase:
"There are twenty roles performed by managers in successful companies."

As a humorous twist, one trainee jokingly suggested:
"There are twenty revolutions performed by ministers in stagnant companies!"

This lighthearted comment sparked laughter among the trainees!

The One Who Successfully Manages Emotions Wins by Recognizing and Controlling Them to Build Lasting Relationships

Example 7:
In a training session at Ibn Al-Haytham Center, affiliated with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, titled "How to Become a Charismatic and Attractive Personality?", trainees were asked to evaluate themselves using 16 questions, rating each from 0 to 10 based on how well it described their personality.

The results were then displayed, and gifts were awarded to those who scored highest—but only on 8 questions specifically related to charisma. The remaining questions, which focused solely on self-confidence, were excluded.

Through this competition, trainees grasped the key concept: Charisma involves interaction with others, whereas self-confidence alone does not necessarily make a person charismatic. This engaging approach effectively conveyed an important managerial lesson in a fun and lively manner.

Example 8:
In a training session for the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, designed for newly hired engineers and titled "Emotional Intelligence: Your Path to Promotion," trainees were shown images of different facial expressions representing various emotions.

After being divided into groups, they were asked to identify the emotions depicted.

Recognizing and understanding emotions is a fundamental aspect of emotional intelligence. The second key component is the ability to manage and direct those emotions toward building successful relationships.

Emotions vary—some expressions indicate happiness, while others reveal sadness, fear, or security.

An outstanding trainer understands that success in emotional intelligence comes from not only recognizing emotions but also effectively managing them to foster long-term relationships.

These eight examples illustrate how a skilled trainer can energize, motivate, and inspire trainees in training courses, making learning a dynamic and interactive experience.

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