The roots of engaging training can be found anywhere. You do however have be on the lookout.Some of my ideas have come from advertisements - yep ads. When I say I'm going to be talking about hairy, naked guy (above specimen) I can see participant's question marks dancing in the air. … [Read more...] about Looking for inspiration? Try an ad (especially these unusual ones from Fast Company)
There are years that ask questions and years that answer
In the book Their Eyes Were Watching God author Zora Neale Hurston writes there were years that ask questions and years that answer. Besides being a sentence that made me jolt to a stop and ponder, it's a great way to frame the new year. Which will it be for you?Which worldview will broaden your … [Read more...] about There are years that ask questions and years that answer
Theatre of the mind – Ted Williams & dancing with dichotomy
Theatre of the mind. That's what Ted Williams, the homeless man who has become a Youtube sensation, calls radio.That's some perspective. Especially considering his background. As someone who has fought the demons of drugs and alcohol and who has made his home on the streets, his velvety voice is … [Read more...] about Theatre of the mind – Ted Williams & dancing with dichotomy
The results are in (again): the collated creativity E.S.C.A.P.E. assessment (where do you measure up?)
How creative are you? I wrote a blog post back in July explaining the E.S.C.A.P.E. method for increasing your creativity because any and all humans can afford to be more creative (that includes us trainers). Creativity is the numero uno ingredient for success. Doing the same ol' same ol' … [Read more...] about The results are in (again): the collated creativity E.S.C.A.P.E. assessment (where do you measure up?)
Time for audience participation (that means you): we see what we expect to see
I love traveling by train so when I found myself on the platform in Amsterdam looking for the right platform I was like a kid looking forward to an ice cream cone on a hot summer's day. (The fact that I was headed to Paris didn't hurt either.)Despite a well-organized system though I couldn't find … [Read more...] about Time for audience participation (that means you): we see what we expect to see
20 Awesomely Untranslatable Words from Around the World
Know what Toska means? How about Jayus? Jason White wrote an article about '20 awesomely untranslatable worlds from around the world for Matador Abroad.Toska and jayus are two of 20 untranslatable (or at least tough to translate) words from other languages.Toska is a Russian word meaning … [Read more...] about 20 Awesomely Untranslatable Words from Around the World
Ditching dichotomous thinking: blending old & new
Dichotomous thinking gets us into trouble.old / new love / hate either / or yes / no black / white right / wrongForcing our brain to think along these dichotomous lines causes us to loose opportunities, get boxed into a corner and what's more makes creativity and innovation tank.How … [Read more...] about Ditching dichotomous thinking: blending old & new
Where's your off switch?
When I was doing some training for the United Nations in East Africa a while back, some friends and I got together one night at a house to watch a movie and make cookies. The cookie dough never made it to the oven (a destination few cookie dough batches in my world meet) and the movie was … [Read more...] about Where's your off switch?
The blind leading the blind … literally
Remember the old joke about 3 blind men describing an elephant? One man, holding the tail, describes it entirely differently than another man who is touching its truck, which is yet again different from the man touching its tusk.Perspective. It can be a potential killer. Limited perspective … [Read more...] about The blind leading the blind … literally
10 tips for trainers part two: avoiding hairy, naked guys
This is part two of 10 tips for trainers. See part one here. It's my gift to you the day after my birthday. I figured as I don't have to wait until Christmas to open gifts why should you.6. Avoid the hairy, naked guy; part Awhen we're stressed our brains aren't primed for objective … [Read more...] about 10 tips for trainers part two: avoiding hairy, naked guys
10 tips for trainers part one: bumblebee butts & booty
It's my birthday tomorrow and as tomorrow's not a usual day for posting I thought I'd give you a gift today.Ever since I hit the earth some 4+ decades ago I've not had to wait for Christmas to open gifts so I thought I'd share the bounty with you, my dear blog reader, with you. Thanks for your … [Read more...] about 10 tips for trainers part one: bumblebee butts & booty
Are you ‘Educating for a Change?’
Educating for a change is one of my all time favourite books. It’s a lovely blend of: 1. Explaining what popular education is and why it’s important 2. Example activities that you can use to effect change As a learning and development specialist do you know what your pedagogy is?Pedagogy … [Read more...] about Are you ‘Educating for a Change?’
