Training Articles

I recently spent 9 long months battling an electrical problem that left me with very limited power in my condo. As hard as it was to live without heat or hot water and with only 3 working outlets, the experience taught me that there's wisdom to be found in difficult times – lessons about patience, creativity, and finding ways forward when the usual solutions aren't available. Here are five insights from my experience, along with some best practices for each, that might help hospitality professionals escape the darkness when they face challenging situations.

As leaders, we must create the opportunity and foundation for our team to excel, produce, and create. With the right foundation, great teamwork will happen. Joel Zeff uses improvisation games in his keynotes to illustrate creating the foundation and then letting the audience volunteers - the ad hoc team - make choices that lead to success. Here are the 5 TA DA tenets of teamwork from Joel's new book, "Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work.”

At the recent Workforce Management in Fast Casual and QSR Summit, this panel of CHART training pros dove into how training can drive operational results. Specifically, how to design training that directly impacts key performance indicators and supports business goals. This lively Q&A discussed how to partner with operations to improve retention, enhance engagement, and reduce turnover.

Agility is about the ability to change swiftly in response to evolving needs. This methodology emphasizes iterative progress, continuous feedback, and cross-functional collaboration. For hospitality, this means designing training programs that are flexible, responsive, and aligned with the strategic goals of the organization. Here are the foundational Agile principles, along with how you can apply them to your learning programs.

Recently, I heard someone describe AI as “the calculator for words,” and that resonated deeply. Just as a calculator simplifies complex math or a GPS streamlines navigation, AI takes the swirling chaos of my thoughts and turns them into consumable, actionable content. AI is a tool that accelerates creativity and productivity in ways that were previously unimaginable. Here are some of the ways that I leverage AI every day, along with my recommended action steps for hospitality trainers.

Today's jobseekers are digital natives who gravitate toward roles that allow them to harness and expand their knowledge. People-facing skills are traditionally prized by hospitality recruiters, but with advancements in technology transforming the industry, we should also be actively recruiting tech-savvy talent. By emphasizing the cutting-edge tools we use and the invaluable skills candidates can gain, we position hospitality as a tech-forward field with limitless potential. Here are some actionable steps to transform your recruitment materials and position your organization as a leader in innovation-driven growth.

As I was considering the significance of Black History Month, I began thinking about why it's so important to learn from the past. Here are my top 5 ways to embrace lessons from history, and how these same principals apply to our role as trainers. I think you'll agree that learning from the past empowers each of us to navigate the present more effectively and support the development of a brighter future.

What are those vital few priorities CHART member trainers are working on right now? These seven hospitality training pros are dedicated to developing people and improving performance. Here’s what they are focusing on now to move the needle in their organizations.

Mastering productivity isn't about getting everything done—it's about prioritizing the right things. By adopting this three-pronged planning approach, you have a roadmap to productivity and alignment.

Whether you are a formal New Year's Resolution-maker or not, chances are you have some goals you'd like to accomplish in 2025. As training leaders, we know how to break down big goals into manageable steps, and we are always thinking ahead to the next move. But I want to issue you a challenge: be present and pay attention to the steps. Though our focus may be on that big goal, the steps are where we experience growth. And even if we don't end up where we planned, the journey has valuable lessons in store for us along the way.

As learning and development leaders, we are charged with cultivating talent and empowering hospitality teams. But in order to achieve this, we first need to focus on being a high-impact training team ourselves (even if we are a team of one). Here are the 10 characteristics of a high-impact team, along with concrete steps and tips to consistently achieve outstanding results that contribute to your organization's success.

Learned helplessness happens when someone experiences repeated setbacks and starts to believe they have no control over their situation. They have become so conditioned to failure that they become effectively paralyzed when the pressure is high. In hospitality, this mindset often pops up when trainees are pushed out of their comfort zones and face challenges without the support they need. Here are some tips for recognizing and addressing learned helplessness among your team members to help them bounce back.