Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) Practice Exam

During a training session, if a client begins discussing personal issues, what is the MOST appropriate action for the trainer?

1. Redirect the conversation

2. Offer advice to the client

3. Listen and sympathize

4. Provide some solutions to the problem

The correct answer is: Redirect the conversation

The most appropriate action for the trainer when a client begins discussing personal issues is to redirect the conversation. This approach maintains professional boundaries and ensures that the training session remains focused on the intended subjects or goals. By redirecting the conversation, the trainer can help the client refocus on the matters at hand, which is crucial for effective learning and productivity. Listening and sympathizing with personal issues can create an emotional bond, but it may also lead to a situation where the training objectives are compromised. Similarly, offering advice or providing solutions to the client’s personal problems is not appropriate in a training setting, as it could detract from the learning experience, shift the trainer’s role from an educator to a counselor, and potentially create discomfort for both the trainer and the client. Thus, redirecting the conversation effectively asserts the trainer's role while respecting the client's need for discussion without overstepping professional boundaries.