Why is it that some people (we call them learning monsters) seem able to squeeze every drop of value out of a learning experience? To really use, apply, deepen, strengthen, practice what they’ve learned so that it makes a real difference to them and the people around them?
What really makes the difference?
There’s some research (Detterman and Sternberg) showing that less than 10% of what’s learned during training courses in the UK ever gets successfully transferred to the workplace. I often share this research with participants, and most people shake their head and tut at the enormous waste of time, money, energy and resources.
Now, I do know that using a brain-friendly approach WILL increase this percentage substantially. Why? Because the principles of Brain Friendly Learning are designed with transfer of learning and ‘sticky-ness’ in mind… visit the website atwww.kaizen-training.com if you’d like to delve deeper into these five principles and how they make a difference…
But…
How is it that participants who:
- clearly state that they found a workshop “life-changing”
- have scored their experience at 10 out of 10 on the reactions questionnaire
- can articulate exactly how their learning could transform their day to day quality of life and the results they get at work
- feel that they have rediscovered their own passion (and there’s no mistaking the authenticity of their ‘shining eyes’)
Here’s an example: On my Brain Friendly Learning (Train the Trainer) workshop, I offer people all sorts of FREE goodies as part of the ‘set-down’ or follow up. These include an additional 100 simple ideas they can use for activities and course design, a design template, an audio ‘anchor’ with a concert review of the whole three days, follow up videos and links to additional ‘cool’ stuff, pictures of all the flipcharts and posters, together with the offer of 121 coaching to improve the design project they worked on during the workshop.
All they have to do is send an e-mail or call me up to ask for what they want. And they’re all FREE!
Typically only 30% of people take the TINY action required.
These people – those who DO use, apply, deepen, strengthen, practice…often work in the same organizations, have the same disengaged bosses, the same stressors, the same feeling of “too much to do and not enough time”… So…
…I did a little research with people I consider to be real learning monsters… and I’m compiling a list of their top beliefs and strategies for a future Kaizen Tip. It’s fascinating.
So, what’s wrong with the other 70%?
I’d love to know your thoughts… I’ll send spot prizes to the most useful and thoughtful responses I receive at kim@kaizen-training.com
(Although, of course, only 30% of you will bother!)
