Online
Most of my leadership development training takes place right here inside cyberspace. In this setting no mentor needs to leave their office or home, no student needs to catch a bus, train or plane.
As an entrepreneur this training is essential. Regardless of our expertise or specific areas of knowledge, becoming leaders and developing leaders determines how quickly a business can grow.
In this environment, I have access to both training materials and business resources, but when I’m teaching or learning about becoming a better leader, I don’t have the intimate connection that makes it real.
On The Phone
The over the phone training session is something I’ve been doing my entire adult life. I remotely train either clients or colleagues while they’re present with a software or hardware configuration that I can’t see.
For obvious reasons this takes more time:
1. The terminology I’m using may not be the same as an onscreen readout
2. They have to explain what they see.
3. I have to interpret what they see.
4. They have to find what I’m explaining.
Over the phone leadership development has some sense of personal contact but not the real deal. We want to ensure what we’re communicating is actually understood.
A training session on a software program will have some evidence of comprehension; they’ve arrived at the desired screen.
Knowing that a leadership skill has been grasped is more difficult to ascertain.
Live and In Person
Nothing beats this. I know when I’m sitting down with someone if they understand me. If I’m not convinced, I can read their eyes and body language while they answer questions.
The same is true for a live event. Nothing compares to being able to confront a speaker with my specific question. Nothing presents more meaningful feedback than having someone relate what you’ve taught in their own terms.
Packing My Bags
I’m attending a Master Marketing Event in Boca Raton at the end of the month. I’ll have an opportunity to meet a few leaders I’ve only seen online in videos or heard over Webinars and phone calls.
This is leadership development training at its best. All of the passion we can muster for an online meeting doesn’t even compare to the warm up at an event like this.
We’re social creatures. We wither and die in isolation. In community relationships with like minded individuals our energy soars.
