Enrichment Through Training
This past week I met a former co-worker who was very curious as to why I am always so enthusiastic when discussing my organization, Pathways Training and eLearning, and what we do. This is not the first time I have been asked this question so I answered by replying with an old proverb…
” Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Simply stated, the point of this proverb is that training is a good thing that can lead to a lifetime of fulfillment for the student. Understanding that, who wouldn’t want to be part of this?
At Pathways Training and eLearning, we have dedicated ourselves to the goal of enrichment through training and as such, are always very excited when we get the opportunity to meet new and perspective clients, and share with them our passion for training. On that topic, during a recent visit to a perspective client I was given the opportunity to share my thoughts on why I felt my organization stood above others, and as a further point, why I felt, or more specifically why I was so passionate about training.
The programs we design at Pathways Training and cover a wide range of topics that at their core, are intended to provide an enhanced learning experience for the student. To accomplish this goal, we go beyond the question of “how do I do this…”? and instead look at what we feel is a much more important question…” why should I do this”? For example, imagine a scenario where a Sales Manager is struggling with having difficult conversations with his or her team, a common issue among Managers, especially those in a competitive environment where individual’s performance is often rewarded ahead of the team performance. Conventional wisdom would dictate that this Manager in question be provided coaching or training on how to have a difficult conversation, which typically would include topics such as how to be direct, giving honest feedback and sticking to your resolve. At Pathways Training and eLearning however we would take a different approach by focusing on why is this Manager having difficult conversations in the first place? What was at the root of the employee’s frustration and what opportunities exist, if any, that may help in resolving their frustration.?
Another common issue we come across at times is helping organizations create an engaged learning environment, which by that we mean getting employees excited to learn. All too often employees can easily lose sight of the importance of believing in, and aligning yourself with the goals and values of the organization they work for. When this happens, this attitude can manifest into a negative perception of the organization and by extension, the training they, the employees, are asked to participate in. It is for this reason that we often recommend organizations offer their employees programs which focus on alignment with organizational vision and values.
As a final thought consider the following…A published report which was completed in the Spring of 2015 and looked at the average employee age in the Canadian workforce concluded that by the year 2020, 46% of the workforce will be made up of millennials, or persons born after 1975. Understanding this significant paradigm shift and the implications this may have relative to organisational success is something that we at Pathways Training and eLearning have been studying for several years, so much so that we feel managing across the generations is one of the most important skills a new Manager should become proficient in.
I could not be happier with the organisation I work for, and I sincerely hope I can get the opportunity to share this passion with some of you soon.
