In training your people, have you skipped one of the three main steps?
I’m referring to the ancient method of classical education known as the Trivium, the “three roads.”
You might call it the Karate Kid method.
The Three Roads
You know what society called classical education as late as the 1800s? “Education.” It’s just how education was done.
Modern educators continue to rediscover this classical tradition. (One well-regarded modern book researching the tradition is already on its third edition.) Since the 1990s the “three roads” of the Trivium have been the focus.
The Trivium was originally conceived as a way to teach language: Grammar, Logic (also called Dialectic) and Rhetoric.
You needed knowledge of the letters, words and rules that made up the language–grammar.
You needed to experiment with that language in debate to ensure you had understanding—dialectic.
You needed to demonstrate the wisdom to use the language appropriately outside the classroom–rhetoric.
I’m painting with a broad brush stroke. But this concept applies in many settings. We’ve already discussed here how the Trivium applies to training automotive technicians. And finance personnel.
Let’s go to the movies
Let me add a fictitious example to help you get the picture.
“Wax on, wax off.” Mr. Miyagi agrees to train Daniel-san. How does he do it? By having him wax cars, etc. Daniel simply goes through motions, committing them to muscle memory–although he doesn’t even realize that’s what he’s doing. He is growing in knowledge.
Sparring. The motions begin to make sense as Mr. Miyagi puts Daniel-san through some drills. Blocking punches is similar to the motions he made waxing cars! As he spars with Mr. Miyagi, he wrestles to the truth about how karate really works. He is growing in understanding.
Competing. It is time to take his knowledge and understanding to the real world. Daniel-san enters a tournament. This is where he has to make real choices: despite injury from a dirty trick, he courageously tries the crane kick, winning the tournament. He is growing in wisdom.
Where are you?
In your employees’ training, where are they? Grammar, dialectic or rhetoric? Do they need more knowledge, more “wrestling” with the concepts or more trying it out in the field?
In your understanding of training itself, where are you?
Do you need more knowledge of how to train? Perhaps it is a more complete compiling of the knowledge your people will need.
Do you need more experiments to try out a new method? Maybe a willing employee could be a test case.
Do you need to properly execute a program? Coaching employees as they try out what they have learned has proven to be extremely effective.
You are Mr. Miyagi. You have Daniel-sans with the potential to win tournaments all through your organization. If you need help, let’s talk.