I can honestly say that 90% of what I have learned about both the construction industry as well as the coaching, speaking and training lanes came from on-the-job experience. So some of you might be surprised that I would, at the same time, say that what we learn “on-the-job” is not nearly enough to succeed.
My field experience had no doubt enabled be to connect on a higher level than anything I ever learned sitting in a chair in front of a computer screen or as an attendee at a training event but that “additional” training had taught me how to use what I have learned in the “real world” much more effectively.
How we think and how we process information is the key to maximizing what we know and applying it so it can benefit others. What we learn in a specific job is usually confined to a somewhat consistent environment. Over time, we get comfortable with that environment and make similar decisions consistently.
The problems begin when things don’t go as they always have (if this hasn’t happened to you yet, it will) and we are faced with making decisions we have not had to make before.
Training on communication, leadership and personal growth will enable you to make decisions that our greatest leaders make every day. There is not a job out there that can’t benefit from these skills. Great leaders are great communicators and challenge themselves to grow every day.
The picture in this post is of the husband of a very good friend of mine. When she sent the picture to me, it immediately struck me that the military is a great example of why training is so important.
What do you think would happen if we left it up to on-the-job training for our armed forces? Yes, they learn a tremendous amount from being on the front lines but what if they did not go through the extensive training that they all do.
The most important business related to the safety of our nation, and our allies, depends greatly on the training our soldiers have received. No political statement here, but what if we did not put the effort into training these individuals that keep us safe?
Look around at the successful businesses that you deal with, maybe even your own. My bet is that they all provide some type of additional training beyond what is learned simply by showing up in the morning.
So is on-the-job training enough? In some cases, absolutely not. In other cases, it may not have such a significant impact as the military but this I know; “When you train your people, you build your people.” And your people are what will make or break you.
So what training are you providing to your employees? If you are an employee, what training is your organization providing to you? There are hundreds, even thousands of trainers out there that could potentially make a difference in your business and in the lives of your people.
I chose communication, personal growth and leadership in this post because those happen to be the values that I believe in the most and focus on in my business. With almost every new potential client, I ask three questions:
- What type of training have you done in the past?
- What is the biggest challenge (personal or organizational wide) that you are facing right now?
- What would be the desired outcome if we were to work together?
Just something for you to consider the next time you walk into the office and see a problem that just won’t go away. Hope to hear from you soon!
Alright, I suppose that was a sales pitch but honestly, in your list of priorities, how important is the security of your job position or the longevity of your business? What are you doing to protect it?
Your people are you biggest asset and your biggest liability. So how much are you investing to protect your assets and limit your liabilities?
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Barry Smith 7/29/13 photo courtesy of Stefanee Darnielle © Building What Matters 2013
