Developing a strong training culture is essential for driving meaningful growth within any organization. A successful training program doesn’t just teach skills—it shapes a culture that encourages personal and professional development. Ken Midgett is a seasoned expert in creating impactful training experiences. His extensive background in the business world, entrepreneurship, and education has led him to passionately focus on the transformative power of training. He knows the pivotal role training plays in building confidence and enhancing business outcomes and the need for a shift in mindset among leaders, emphasizing the importance of culture, engagement, and alignment with the why behind training. This guide dives into the key elements required to create training experiences that stick, foster engagement, and deliver results across all levels of a company.
The Foundation of Training Culture
At the core of every effective training program lies a culture that values learning. It’s not just about offering workshops or onboarding sessions; it’s about embedding training into the fabric of the company. The mindset around training must be deliberate, with clear expectations from leadership, managers, and trainees.
To build this culture, it’s important to recognize the unique perspectives:
- Leadership looks at the big picture, focusing on the ROI and overall impact of training investments.
- Managers play a crucial role in ensuring engagement and real-world application of the training content.
- Trainees need to feel that the training has a direct impact on their growth and job security.
When these elements come together, the training culture becomes a driving force for engagement, retention, and performance.
Tailoring Training to Fit the Company
Not all training programs will look the same. In some companies, employees may see the immediate, tangible benefits of training—whether it’s earning a raise or securing better job stability. These companies make sure their people understand how learning new skills directly impacts their personal and professional lives.
In other organizations, training might be driven by employees themselves, particularly the top performers who constantly seek out growth opportunities. However, for most employees, training is a process of coaching and guiding them toward the motivation to improve. This is where culture plays a key role: ensuring training is presented as essential to both personal and company growth.
Shifting the Role of Managers
A successful training culture relies on managers acting as coaches rather than taskmasters. Managers shouldn’t get bogged down in technical details but should focus on mentoring their teams, helping them become more independent and capable. This approach allows managers to spend more time on strategic coaching, rather than answering basic technical questions.
Training also strengthens employee retention. When workers see their company investing in their growth, they feel more valued and are less likely to leave. It’s a win-win—employees gain skills, and companies reduce turnover.
Measuring the ROI of Training
Effective training doesn’t just improve individual skills—it delivers measurable results. Companies can track the return on investment by observing factors like reduced errors, quicker task completion times, and fewer customer complaints. Additionally, training creates an intangible but powerful improvement in company culture. Employees who feel supported in their development are more likely to take ownership of their roles, contributing to a positive workplace environment.
The Future of Training: Leveraging Technology
The landscape of training is rapidly evolving, with technology like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) leading the charge. These tools allow employees to practice their skills in immersive, risk-free environments. VR offers a scalable solution, enabling companies to train dozens—or even hundreds—of employees at once without the need for physical training centers.
However, the human element remains crucial. While VR can teach technical knowledge, real-world application is where the learning is fully cemented. The combination of tech-based and on-the-job training creates a comprehensive, adaptable system that prepares employees for a variety of challenges.
Keeping Employees Engaged in Training
Engagement is the key to successful training. Employees need to feel actively involved in the process. Gone are the days of monotonous PowerPoint presentations; today’s training must be interactive and thought-provoking. Encouraging critical thinking, rewarding participation, and fostering a sense of competition can transform a dull session into an exciting opportunity for growth.
Focusing on thinkers over doers encourages employees to solve problems creatively, rather than waiting for instructions. This mindset shift leads to a more efficient and innovative workforce.
Building a Culture of Growth
The ultimate goal of training is to create a culture where learning and growth are celebrated. When training is tied to personal development and business outcomes, employees are more engaged, motivated, and confident in their roles. Companies that embrace this approach will see improvements not just in performance, but in the overall well-being and satisfaction of their teams.
Training has the power to change lives. By investing in their people, organizations can foster an environment where both employees and the business thrive. The future of training lies in balancing cutting-edge technology with hands-on coaching, ensuring that every individual has the tools they need to succeed.
Listen to the episode: Gut + Science | Episode 240: Creating Meaningful, Impactful Training Experiences with Ken Midgett
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of tying training to business outcomes and building confidence in employees.
- Shifting the mindset of leaders from managing to coaching and focusing on engagement.
- Incorporating technology such as virtual reality and augmented reality into training for increased learning capacity.
- Creating a training culture and setting healthy expectations for training outcomes.
- Emphasizing the role of agility in goal-setting and remaining open to life’s unexpected turns.
Things to listen for:
[00:01:00] Training provides tangible results and personal benefits.
[00:06:06] It’s crucial to tie to the why.
[00:08:39] Build technician confidence, boost customer communication, and impact reviews.
[00:12:23] Engagement and understanding are crucial in content.
[00:15:46] Engage people by understanding and customizing approach.
[00:19:06] Promote student independence in live training settings.
[00:21:43] Future of training is technology-based, including VR.
[00:25:41] Ken Midget leverages expertise in employee development.
[00:27:12] Focus on business outcomes, engage, coach, empower.
