Category Archives: Active Training

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How to Get 300% Greater Training Results

Let’s be honest, most training is full of information and “good stuff” that doesn’t lead to lasting behavior change. The most powerful way to see behavior change is to provide follow-up coaching. I have successfully implemented easy (and free) ways to follow-up training events with coaching.

How to Get 300% Greater Training Impact

I measure training results by the amount of application participants make. Application is behavioral change. Too often, my problem is not a lack of knowledge; it is too little living out of that knowledge. I have found ways to help training participants change in amazing ways.

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“Open Space Technology” by Harrison Owen

How many conferences or seminars have you been to where the most stimulating parts were the coffee break discussions between sessions?

Harrison Owen, the originator of Open Space Technology, designed a strategy to power the whole event with the energy and learning of coffee break discussions. After reading this book I dove in and successfully facilitated two Open Space events myself.

Open Space is a facilitation strategy that enables groups of 5 to 2000 people to create their own agenda and self-organize to dialogue about the important issues of large complex theme.

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“Active Training” by Melvin Silberman


Mel Silberman is the master of active training. Just skimming his book gave me a handful of new ideas I immediately applied in my training. Reading the book helped me to revamp my training courses to include many more participatory training exercises.

What is active training? Everybody loves being involved, talking, interacting, and exploring during a training event. Lecture, however, is too often the default delivery methodology. In some ways lecture takes less time to prepare and is less risky, but studies show it is not the most effective learning style.