Show, Don’t Tell, To Accelerate Learning

Many of our clients want to know how they can accelerate the training and learning of their people. Better, faster, cheaper—as always. Clients that apply The 5 D’s Fast Training Model often discover a new source of competitive advantage. One client in the software development business now claims accelerated learning and training as its core distinctive competence. So how do you do it? Start by demonstrating exactly what you want your people to do. People learn best when someone shows them, rather than just tells them, how to do something. Here are the “Show, don’t tell” steps of The 5 D’s Fast Training Model to accelerate training and learning:

1. Describe It.
2. Demonstrate It.
3. Do It.
4. Debrief It.
5. Do It Again, but better!

For example, let’s say you want to accelerate the training and learning of someone in your Expectations Chain on how to better coach others when they’re not delivering the needed results. First, describe how to do it by using an actual situation from their work or team. Second, demonstrate how YOU do it by role-playing a conversation you’ve had with someone in a similar situation. Third, encourage them to do it now, by engaging in a conversation similar to the one you suggested as soon as possible. Fourth, have them report back on how it went, so you can provide appreciative and constructive feedback to help them do it better next time. Fifth, ask them to continue applying what they have learned, while you continue to monitor their progress. Repeat the cycle as needed until the learning has turned into real competence.

This sort of modeling provides effective, and accelerated, on-the-job training that often cannot be delivered any other way. Model the behavior and skills you want the people in your Expectations Chain to learn and master. It works in even the most complex and technical work environments. For more information on accelerating training and learning in your organization, please join the Accountability Community by visiting www.partnersinleadership.com

Expectations Chain and Accountability Community are registered trademarks, and The 5 D’s Fast Training Model is a trademark of Partners In Leadership Inc.