How to Effectively use Role Play in Development Exercises

Role playing is an excellent way for companies to develop their employees’ skills. It is useful in many different areas, but needs to be done correctly for maximum efficacy.
Select the areas in which you can utilize role playing
Not every single skill lends itself to role playing. Carefully consider which ones would be best. For instance, role playing is an excellent way to teach customer service representatives. No matter how you train representatives on what to say to an irate customer, it is not the same as having to actually respond to one in their faces. You can role play this, and they can get a feel for how it will actually feel and learn how to formulate their responses.
When considering which areas to role play, try to do them first yourself. Make sure that they effectively impart the pertinent lessons. They should be short enough to get the point across but not come off as too contrived. They should represent actual situations the employees may face.
Create role playing skits
You want to think long and hard when creating the role playing skits. First, it is important that people take them serious. If the employees will just be laughing at it or think that it is juvenile, then it may not accomplish its objective. It may also take much longer, losing productivity and practicality when time is money. The skits should be very short, and they should touch upon important relative issues that can help train the employees.
You want to make the role playing as expansive as possible. For instance, if it touches on customer service, then show the different scenarios that the customer service agent may face. Show them the correct way to behave in each situation and let them try.
A company does not have to develop role playing training themselves. There are a variety of consultants and employee training companies to which you can outsource this work. They provide a wide menu of services. Some will come in and do the actual role playing in house, whereas others will provide onsite training that includes role playing. You can also purchase a program that you can do yourself with employees. Evaluate the different options available to see what is financially feasible for your company.
Carry out the role playing
Before you carry out the role play, you want to talk to the employees to make sure that they take it seriously. Everyone should understand what their role is. Secure a quiet place in which to role play and avoid distractions.
Everyone should understand what their role is in the skits. Personnel can take part, or it may be all employees. Let them carry out the skit, and then make corrections to their behavior at the end (in a positive way – do not shame anyone).
Employees who actively take part in the role playing will be more likely to absorb the material. Switch roles so that everyone gets a chance to participate if possible.
Conduct a follow up
The training in the role playing does not end with the last line on the script. Discuss the lessons in the role playing. Do not just tell them the lessons in them, but ask that they tell you. Let them pick out the important parts. Answer any questions they have.
Role playing can be an effective teaching tool for employees of all different skills and across many different industries. Try the different techniques with your employees and adapt as necessary. You can ask for feedback from the employees to find out what they found effective or ineffective within the training so that you can come up with the best development program possible.