Notes taken at Zoom Meeting 14 July 2023: Kathryn Tonges interview with GTI Master Trainer Meike Lemmens
What is the difference between BYB and LET?
Order of L.E.T. is similar to P.E.T.. Focus is on situations in the workplace. L.E.T. doesn’t address anger, anxiety like B.Y.B. does. Harder to convince L.E.T. participants in listening: “Why would I listen?” Participants are used to a hierarchy in workplace and used to telling people what to do, judging, pushing their agenda and not listening. As a facilitator you have to get people on board. LET skills help them see the difference with understanding needs and listening, solving conflicts when others in the workplace see things differently.
What is the demand for the course?
P.E.T. participants are the entry point.
Who are the participants and why do they choose to do the course e.g promotion/do their current job better/other?
Once a company learns about it then they might train others. Dutch military are all being trained in L.E.T.. Once a person higher up learns about it that is the key. Companies chose it to reduce turnover of staff to reduce costs of such turnover. Individuals choose it to better their communication. If they are now in a management position, they want to learn how to have wider influence and still be likable.
How and what are your marketing strategies/activities?
Keep in touch with all P.E.T. graduates. Many are professionals.
Usual class size? 10 if online; 20 if on site.
Best times for running the course from your perspective? Friday mornings or maybe Monday. Not Tues Wed or Thurs. Definitely not weekends.
How often is it delivered to an organisation vs a group comprised of individuals? Mostly individuals.
Do they ever get grants to run the course e.g to not for profit organisations?
No, however the NGO might apply for a grant. In the US, HR require continued education. Can apply to an organisation to find out requirements and L.E.T. could be registered as continued education for credits for individuals.
What are some of the challenges for an instructor?
If it is a company and some people are made to attend, they can be fairly resistant. Need to be an experienced instructor to handle this and have conviction in the programme and not doubt what you are teaching. (Meike interviewed Bill Stinnett and another former L.E.T. instructor trainer and has made notes on this issue which she will share with me).
Participants have often written in their evaluations that even though they were sceptical at first, they are now believers.
Feedback from participants – is it contemporary enough?
The text was last updated 2001. The Workbook and manual were updated last year (2022). Meike uses examples from her participants to keep things relevant too. Videos are available in the LET programme which keep things current and they look professional.
What about competition?
There is a ton of competition just like with P.E.T. That’s why when people do one of the other courses they know the benefits of this course.
Fees? Instructors can charge much more for L.E.T. compared with P.E.T. as it is corporate pricing. They won’t take you seriously if you don’t. Fees for P.E.T. are to make it accessible for all whereas L.E.T. is related to work.
