Creating a Culture of Being “IN” Training: CHART Orlando Breakout Recap

August 16, 2023 | 1040 Views

Creating a Culture of Being “IN” Training: CHART Orlando Breakout Recap

Rebecca O'Brien

Senior Manager of Training | El Pollo Loco

This session, led by Corban Nichols, particularly hit home with me because it’s a message I’ve desperately been trying to convey to our Area Leaders over the past year or so in hopes of them genuinely embracing the concept and then filtering it down to their teams. Deliberate practice, continuous improvement, and being open to changing habits and creating new ones are all necessary mindsets to be a successful leader in our continuously evolving industry. A great leader knows that school is never out, and personal development is a never-ending journey.

The question is, how do we create the buy-in? As corporate trainers, we know the importance of being “in” training, and are always looking for ways to grow and evolve. But how do we build the same muscle with our teams?

During the session, Corban shared four key “IN” tactics for creating an “in” training culture. As we worked through each one as a group, I began to reflect on what each point meant to me.

  1. INclusiveMake your team feel part of something bigger. Connect them to your brand and each other so everyone is invested in moving the business forward. Empowerment, giving your team a voice, and celebrating all the wins are essential to keeping your dream team and obtaining the results you desire.
  2. INstructive – Mix it up! Keep learners engaged by hitting all the senses and all the learning styles. Leverage technology but don’t forget the power of working shoulder-to-shoulder. We’ve all heard of Tell, Show, Do, Review because it works. Love the tools and embrace the process.
  3.  INnovationYesterday’s methods do not teach today’s teams. All the amazing AI exposure we received at this conference proved that. I know I need to brush up and embrace some new skills to keep up with this new generation of learners. They require micro-lessons, entertainment, and gamification to keep them captivated and make it stick.
  4. INspiring – Being an inspirational leader goes beyond managing the team; it’s about creating change, motivating individuals to unleash their talents, and truly investing in others. I believe a critical area that our teams often overlook is recognition. Acknowledging and celebrating the efforts of our managers and team members makes everyone excited to be part of the team and inspires greatness. If we take care of them, they will take care of the rest!

The bottom line is that no matter how skilled or knowledgeable an individual is, there is always room for improvement and development. Ongoing training refines existing skills and helps people acquire new ones to “out-train” the competition, which should always be our end goal in an ever-evolving landscape.

I see ongoing training as a more profound type of recognition because it shows our team that we want them to be successful and win. Being “in” training isn’t optional; staying relevant, competitive, and thriving is an industry requirement.

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Comments (1)

  1. Patrick A Yearout:
    Sep 02, 2023 at 10:02 AM

    Thank you for writing this recap and sharing your perspective, Rebecca!