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| Photo courtesy of Gratisograhpy |
Workplace training comes in all shapes and forms. We moved from strictly in-class room, to computer e-learning, to blended learning. The one word that also seems to go along with many of training initiatives is the description BORING.
The PowerPoint is ready, with title and presenter name, the
workbooks are on the desk, sometimes with the entire 80 slide deck.
YIKES! It is the workforce learning routine. Even the beginning is
routine: an ice breaker starts the class – ask your neighbor some ‘get to know
you’ question where you are not sure you are clever enough or witty enough to
be the room. The presenter gives a dissertation on their
credentials, and then away you go to slide number 2…blah….
What if we in workforce training pushed the envelope and went
for the unexpected? I have been doing this for a while, and I was
taught a formula to create a class. But I am finding the formulas don’t
work as much today. The current employee learner expects the unexpected, or
at least hope for it, because it the nature of life.
I also know the classes I have taught, and have attended, which I
enjoyed the most is where I pushed for the unexpected. You would be
amazed what a game of hot potato will do to a classroom training. Yes,
the hot potato game you played as a kid. You would be amazed what happens
when you push people to do role plays/improv (whatever you want to call it),
when they don’t want to do it. Magic happens!
So wear your traditional suit and create your beautiful
PowerPoint decks. But before you get started, show the participants your
big blue unexpected pair of clown shoes, and plan for something amazing!
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