Ralph Naylor – Project Management & Consultancy Training

How long have you been a trainer?

Oh dear – I’ve been in some form of people development in lots of different ways for many years.

What did you do before?

I spent a few years in the army – with responsibility for education in a unit. When I left I was recruited as a management trainer into a food retail company & then went into management development & organisational development

What do you specialise in?

About developing our skills to change things for the better – anything from introducing a new product or system to personal development on overseas expeditions

Can you give me 5 top tips?

• Respect people’s different experiences
• Listen particularly to people who oppose you
• Be first to do uncomfortable things
• Don’t underestimate what it takes to do things differently
• Do fewer things well than a lot badly

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Marine archaeologist!

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you?

Don’t just take people’s advise!

If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

Apart from food, water & shelter – Homer’s Odyssey, a piano & a football!

What is the best thing you have ever won/got for free?

My wife!

What are you most proud of?

2 lovely daughters

Describe your most embarrassing moment

From many – watching from afar as a big helicopter looks for me with a searchlight, after a very slight ‘mis-communication’ – ahem!

If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?

Watching the sun go down through a cool glass of lager in Delphi, Mainland Greece

What really annoys you?

Self-promotion combined with incompetence

In you opinion, what makes a good trainer?

Stimulates thought & accepts there is more than one way to ’skin a cat’!

What is exciting you in the realm of learning & development currently?

Fads irritate me, but what excites me is the boundless potential in people unfortunately so often restricted by others