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Corporate Training: Your Attitude is Your Altitude

Dan Lovekamp

Dan Lovekamp

“Since most company training has absolutely no relationship with improving or reinforcing the skills used in producing the services being provided or goods being created and is an UTTER WASTE OF VALUE-ADDED WORK TIME which will then have to be made up with working overtime at the expense of the employees “work/life balance” or by “stealing” time from other projects and thus reducing the quality of those efforts.”

To understand the impact of this excerpt above, you first must understand how people believe what they read faster than what is spoken to them. We are inherently visual, and my experiences have taught me to be responsible for my words/actions. As a corporate trainer for three-plus decades, I’m acutely aware of how I need to be intentional, informative, funny, engaging, entertaining, and effective. The training needs to be action-based and appropriate to the audience in the execution of their work-related responsibilities.

I also believe that the participant has responsibilities also:

Attitude: You want to learn.

Aptitude: You must understand that knowledge is power.

 Ability: The greatest step in any journey is the first one (be intentional)

 Adaptable: “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right!”

 Absorb: Prisoner, Vacationer, or Sponge – which type of learner are you?

Focusing on the content rather than the presenter allows them to extract valuable insights and knowledge regardless of the delivery style. Every learning opportunity, even if it doesn't meet the student’s expectations, provides a chance to evaluate and refine their learning processes. It's a positive mindset to see every experience as a chance for improvement and growth. This way, even if the content is not what they expected, they can still derive value from the experience by identifying areas for personal development or refining their approach to learning. It's all part of a continuous journey of improvement and acquiring new skills.

"When you think you are the smartest person in the room, you just proved you are not!"

“Are you an unstoppable force, or an immovable object?” An interview question will provide insight as to who will most benefit from the information and who might not get as much out of the learning opportunity.

So..

How can we improve our corporate training?

Collaboration.

Collaborative training encourages employees to share their expertise, experiences, and insights. This knowledge sharing can lead to a richer learning experience, as participants can benefit from diverse perspectives within the organization.

Collaborative learning fosters teamwork and strengthens relationships among employees. Working together on training activities or projects helps build a sense of camaraderie, which can positively impact the overall work environment.

When individuals collaborate, they engage in discussions and problem-solving activities, which enhances critical thinking and decision-making skills. This is particularly important in a corporate setting where employees often need to work together to solve complex problems.

Collaborative training methods can make the learning experience more engaging and interactive. Activities such as group discussions, team projects, or peer teaching can keep participants actively involved in the learning process.

Collaboration promotes adaptability by exposing individuals to different perspectives and approaches. This is valuable in the corporate world, where adaptability to change is often crucial for success.

Working collaboratively can often lead to more efficient learning. Participants can pool their resources, share the workload, and learn from each other, making the overall training process more streamlined.

Collaborative learning provides a platform for employees to network and connect with colleagues from different departments or teams. This networking can extend beyond the training setting, fostering professional relationships that may prove beneficial in the future.

Collaborative training often involves practical, real-world scenarios. This application-based learning can help participants understand how the newly acquired knowledge and skills can be applied in their day-to-day work.

When designing corporate training programs, incorporating collaborative elements can enhance overall effectiveness, change participants' attitudes toward training, and make the learning experience more impactful for employees and the trainer. This is why every great trainer asks for opportunities for improvement and to gauge the impact of their training.

Always have an attitude of gratitude and believe in giving back. I WILL ALWAYS #MakeTodayandEverydayaMasterpiece!

The articles from these contributors are based on their personal expertise and viewpoints, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations.
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