10 Reasons Why Soft-Skills Training Doesn't Work

I design soft-skills training programs that help leaders create happier workplaces and I've noticed a recurring pattern over the years: Many people think that you can change behaviors ove
ight. They talk earnestly with me about team building or effective communication and expect that a one-day training will resolve everything. I’ve even had leaders and HR managers ask me to change how their employees communicate in one hour.

People mean well but the reality is that it takes considerable time and effort for training to take root in an organization. Otherwise it has little chance of having any impact. Here are ten practical ideas to improve your chances of success.

1. Commit to training on an ongoing basis. It helps to have a set time and place for the training that people can rely on.
2. Support employees so they can keep practicing the new skills they acquire.
3. Involve leadership from the very beginning and have them be present and participating actively in the training.
4. Don't try to do it on the cheap. Your investment up-front often determines your long-term training success.
5. Focus on improving behaviors.
6. Conduct repeated training people can count on.
7. Attendance isn’t optional.
8. Set goals so you can measure success.
9. Train trainers so they can keep the process going.
10. Make the training part of your company's routine.

Leaders who don't do these things are the ones who lament that soft-skills training doesn't work. Those who decide to focus on these areas find that the training they provide has a much better chance at succeeding. It almost always depends on how committed leadership is to making it work and whether they're in it for the long-term. What will you do to make sure your training works?

Take care,

Guy