The first of eight show-biz secrets to effective learning

May 5, 4:49 PMWorkplace Training and Development ExaminerLenn Millbower

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Places Please for Effective Instruction

In the last article, Eight Action Steps to Effective Learning, I stated that there are eight show-biz secrets that make learning effective. This article examines the first of the eight action steps that turn any trainer, teacher, presenter, or communicator into a world-class Learnertainer™ and deliver an effective learning program that makes the attendees say, “wow!”

Popular movies, TV shows and other entertainments reach us emotionally. We tear up when the hero suffers loss, we get anxious when the hero is in danger, and we cheer when the hero triumph. Hollywood knows this. A story without emotion is destined for box office failure.

Emotional moments also create memory. The human brain is hard-wired to remember them. Any of us who remember the day our child was born, the day we received that desired promotion, or the day that a national tragedy happened has experienced the permanence of emotion.

Training and development classes do not, unfortunately, focus on emotion. The needs of leadership and the organization delivering the education are front and center. The emotional needs of the learner are forgotten. We present the corporate objectives as if these organizational needs will matter to the learner. Sometimes we get lucky. More often, we do not.

Where a financial software training program might list the objectives as learning to use the software successfully, it often ignores the underlying need the software will serve for the learner. If the software will ensure that they employee is paid properly, the real emotional need may be having the money to enjoy life.

Where an orientation program may focus on facts and specifics required by the organization, the real emotional need might be the employee’s desire to align what they do with their own goals in life.

Find the emotional core of your message that the learners will care about and you will change their behavior.

For more info: If you liked this article, you may also like Eight Action Steps to Effective Learning and A Glorious Three Hour Production. Visit Lenn on line at www.OffbeatTraining.com.