Learning development is like constructing a building. This fun analogy has been particularly helpful for my team. The executives of your organization establish the location of your structure. They do this by creating the strategic and financial plans for the next few years, which sets the direction and tone of your curriculum. They let youContinue reading “Home Improvement”
Author Archives: Terrence Shelton
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is an important capability we want for all of our team members. How do we help to cultivate it? According to criticalthinking.org, critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as aContinue reading “Critical Thinking”
Chasing Lightbulbs
If you ask a learning professional their favorite part about facilitation then chances are you will hear something about “lightbulb moments”. That’s when all of the instruction clicks and the participant “gets it”. You can almost physically see it when it happens. They straighten up in their seat and a joyous expression consumes their face. Continue reading “Chasing Lightbulbs”
Tough Conversations
I avoided tough conversations early in my leadership experience. It’s in my nature to avoid conflict. It’s not because I’m afraid of it. I’m motivated by peace, calm, and fairness. When tough situations came up, I knew I was supposed to address them, but I didn’t want to upset the relationship. With experience, I cameContinue reading “Tough Conversations”
Rapid Fire
You’ve got an hour long presentation to facilitate in 24 hours. Where do you start? Stop, breathe, and answer these rapid fire questions. Who’s going to be in the room? What do they need to hear? What’s worked before? What doesn’t? Why should they listen to your presentation? What’s the desired outcome? What do youContinue reading “Rapid Fire”
Fishing Lessons
Can you build a training program for us? A question that sounds familiar to learning professionals everywhere. You want to serve your client, but you have other clients. You’re revamping your new hire program, building training for several corporate projects, and developing courses that will boost the capabilities of your workforce. So how do youContinue reading “Fishing Lessons”
My Leadership Credo
What type of leader are you? What shaped your leadership style? What can your team expect from you? What do you expect from your team? These are a few questions leaders should not only ask, answer, and document but should also share with their teams. I keep a copy of the following credo visibly inContinue reading “My Leadership Credo”
Alignment with Mission, Vision, and Values
True learning organizations are closely connected to a company’s mission, vision, and core values. While this doesn’t exactly highlight a measurable value, it ensures that learning outcomes are aligned with organizational culture. This means employees know when they are engaging with the curriculum, they are learning the why behind the company’s action and decisions. LearnersContinue reading “Alignment with Mission, Vision, and Values”
Tea with T
I’ve been wanting to write a book for more than a year now, but I had no idea where to start. I also had to overcome all the voices of doubt in my own head. “What are you going to write about?” , “Why should anyone care?”, and “”You’re not an author”. Now I knowContinue reading “Tea with T”
