Truth Be Told by Dave Thompson

Truth Be Told Podcast: Transforming Training Programs That Actually Work

In this conversation with host Dave Thompson, I dive into what makes training programs actually stick. We explore why so many organizations struggle with training that doesn't translate to real results, and what it takes to build development programs that empower employees to apply what they learn.

This isn't about adding more content or longer sessions. It's about shifting perspective from what facilitators want to deliver to what learners actually need to grow their leadership skills and contribute meaningfully to organizational goals.

Listen Here > https://www.truthbetoldpodcast.com/training-isnt-about-you-the-mindset-shift-that-changes-everything-with-carrie-graham-phd/

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10 Key Points from Our Conversation

1. The learner must be at the center of every training decision – When programs are built around what's convenient for the organization rather than what creates lasting change for employees, impact suffers.
2. Adult learning science provides the foundation for effective training – Understanding how adults process, retain, and apply information should drive every program design choice.
3. Training effectiveness requires ongoing reflection, not one-time delivery – The real work happens after the session ends, when learners integrate new concepts into their daily work.
4. Diversity, equity, and inclusion aren't add-ons – These principles need to be woven throughout your professional development plan, not treated as separate initiatives.
5. Engagement drives retention more than content volume – A learner who is actively involved will remember more from a shorter session than one who passively consumes hours of material.
6. Facilitators must adapt in real-time to learner needs – The best training happens when you're reading the room and adjusting, not rigidly following a script.
7. Checkbox training creates checkbox results – If your goal is compliance rather than capability building, you'll get minimal effort and minimal impact.
8. Continuous learning sustains both personal and organizational growth – Development training can't be a once-a-year event if you want to build genuine leadership qualities.
9. Training should solve real business problems – Every program should connect directly to challenges your team faces, not generic skills that sound good on paper.
10. Simplicity beats complexity in learning design – The most transformative training often comes from focused, practical approaches rather than overcomplicated frameworks.

10 Takeaways You Can Implement Today

1. Audit your current training through the learner's eyes – Ask yourself: Does this program serve their growth or just our delivery schedule?
2. Build in reflection time after every training session – Give employees space to process and plan application, not just absorb information.
3. Start with the business problem, then design the training – Reverse-engineer from the outcome you need rather than starting with content you have.
4. Create opportunities for learners to practice, not just listen – Active participation during training translates to confident application afterward.
5. Integrate DEI principles into how you design and deliver all development training – This means examining whose perspectives are represented and whose voices get heard.
6. Measure impact beyond attendance and completion rates – Track behavior change and business results to understand if your training is truly working.
7. Develop your facilitators to read and respond to their audience – Leadership skills include the ability to adapt in the moment, not just present prepared material.
8. Eliminate training that exists only for compliance – If it must happen, redesign it to create real value alongside meeting requirements.
9. Create a culture of continuous learning, not episodic events – Make professional development an ongoing conversation, not an annual obligation.
10. Involve learners in shaping their own development path – When employees have agency in their growth, they're more invested in the outcomes.

Watch the full episode:
https://youtu.be/O_sQLkal1U0?si=-Pr2LK6w7nfQx96D

Ready to transform how your organization approaches training?

Most leadership teams know their current training isn't delivering the results they need, but they're not sure where the gaps are or how to fix them without starting from scratch.

That's exactly what I help organizations uncover and rebuild.

Start with the free Training Assessment Quiz to get a clear picture of what's working, what's not, and where to focus your efforts to empower employees and accelerate results.

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Dave Thompson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davethompsoncfi/

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