So often people come away fired up with enthusiasm for what they have learnt on a programme, but 6 months down the line they have slipped back into old ways.

When faced with the option of changing lifelong habits or dozens of e-mails; the power of the status quo prevails, their resolve fades and they take comfort in justifying the value of their old ways.

It’s not surprising that a programme which may last one week per year, needs a bit of help if it is going to compete with 51 weeks of reinforcement of old habits.

Another obstacle we have recognised is that many people do not engage fully in the training; at least at first. They argue ‘this doesn’t apply to me; I’m not that bad….’

As a result the programme serves to convince people that they do need to change; as opposed to helping people adopt the new approaches or behaviours they need.

During the last year, we have been involved in some very interesting programmes which address these issues.

If we could make the programme last 3 months or even 6 months instead of one week, would it have more long term benefits? Quite likely! So how do we make the programme ‘last longer’ without taking key people away from their jobs for a big chunk of the year?

Where programme participants complete 360 degree feedbacks before they attend the programme, participants have been found to engage fully in the training much more quickly. When faced with direct evidence on how their performance is seen by others, most people look for solutions more quickly, rather than defend their existing approach. This also allows more time on the training course to be given over to embedding new behaviours.

And how do we extend the impact of the learning after the event? We provide coaching to each individual, to follow on and reinforce the learning drawn from the training programme. Having created personal learning plans at the end of a programme participants are allocated a personal coach who will work with them at monthly intervals over the next three to six months.

Capitalising on the energy generated from the programme they will help participants turn plans into actions and support them during the first few months when mistakes and a return to old habits are most likely to occur. This way, efforts to introduce new working practises, with sustained reflection and application ensures integration over the long term, changing habits and building sustainability. Increased performance for the individual and organisation are the results.

Carolyn Clarke©

Senior Training Associate, Corporate Alchemy