How can we train smart?

"Train Smart" by Rich Allen promises effective trainings every time. Now I haven't used it all that much yet so I can't speak to how true that promise is, but it sure seems like we could learn a lot from this book.

Although many of the ideas seem a little common sensical, judging from teachers and trainers I've experienced, not everyone  - in fact very few in my sphere - follow these guidelines.

The point is simple: Don't just stand up infront of a crowd, give a boring lecture and expect everyone to magically stay focused and absorb all the information. Most of us learn much better in a varied environment where we are doing rather than just listening.

Allen outlines what he calls the "bricks" of the Train Smart Model which include:

• Teach people, not content
• Awareness leads to choice
• Learning + enjoyment = retention
• Application is everything
• Stories work

While these have further explanation in the book, they are pretty self-explanatory and all lay the foundation for the different teaching tips the author lays out in the rest of the book. Allen also outlines the "Five Pillars" of the model:

1. Engage - 2-5 mins to engage participant's attention
2. Frame - less than 1 minute to establish a frame of reference
3. Explore - 5-30 mins to introduce the conceptual activity
4. Debrief - 5-15 mins to reinforce the learning
5. Reflect - 2-5 mins to reflect on the broader relationships through stories or parables

I'll later explain how I modeled a training using these five pillars but for now I'll leave it here to ponder the importance of that outline.