ART OF TRAINING

WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

Musings on Training Design

By

VIKRAM KARVE


Training Design is the sine qua non for the efficacy of a Training Programme.

In fact, Training Design is the basis, the foundation, the core of all Training.

That is why the first thing I do before designing a training programme is to reflect, explore, consider, analyse and decide as to which Training Philosophy – Confucian or Zen – is relevant to the context in the particular Training Need and Environment.


CONFUCIAN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

In the Confucian Training Philosophy the aim of training is to qualify the trainee for a more important job.

In other words, Training is inextricably linked with Career Advancement, and since Training is primarily for promotion, if the training is not followed by promotion or career advancement quickly enough, non-realization of expectations may create frustration and resentment in the trainee.


ZEN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

In the Zen Training Philosophy the purpose of Training is continuous improvement in performance.

The emphasis here is on “continuous improvement”.

The aim is to improve the present performance of the trainee by focusing on excellence in work and self-development, strengthening the inner urge and enhancing requisite skills for work-excellence and job-satisfaction without the trainee expecting any tangible material or career advancement returns.


GOOD OLD TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

And of course, if you want to avoid a formal training programme altogether, there is always my favourite good old time-tested training philosophy which is breathtaking in its simplicity: “Entrust a man with responsibility and then tell him to get on with the job!”

It’s called “On the Job Training” and it always works – you can take my word for it!


TRAINING versus EDUCATION

Hey, can someone out there reading this please tell us the difference between Training and Education.

Is there a difference? If so what are various “Education Philosophies” akin to “Training Philosophies”?

Come on you academics and thinkers out there – please throw some light on this subject so that we don’t confuse Training with Education, and vice versa.

VIKRAM KARVE

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