It is easy to look back and be critical of tactics, techniques, strategies, and teaching methodologies from the past. The reality however, is that most of the time people were doing the best they could with the knowledge, information and experience they had. It was not that long ago that the Internet did not exist, not everyone had a laptop, tablet, and smartphone and all the information in the world was not immediately accessible with a device you carry in your pocket. Today’s world is vastly different. You can easily access the research on how humans learn. If you do not like to read … [Read more...]

I am a huge proponent of trainers being students of teaching and of learning. I am also a huge proponent of trainers being students of leadership. Being a student is essential, but it is not enough. You can read all the books, review all the research, attended the workshops, get the certificate or degree, watch all the talks, listen to the podcasts but, if you never apply what you are learning then you are doing nothing to serve those you have the privilege and honour to teach and lead. Knowledge is not power. It is potential; the potential to empower others. Knowledge is only useful … [Read more...]

It is not enough for the participants in your class to simply memorize information. They need to learn it. Seth Godin addressed this topic in a recent blog post  The difference between memorization and learning. Here are two key lines from that post: In order to learn something, you must understand it. You might become so insightful and facile with the ideas that it appears you’ve memorized them, but that’s just a side effect. .........memorizing anything that you’ll need to build upon, improvise on or improve is foolish. You’ll need to do the work of understanding it instead. If your … [Read more...]

Is the focus in your skills and tactics training on Technique or Principles and Concepts? While an understanding of technique is important, I believe fundamental principles and concepts (i.e. balance, power and mobility) are more important to focus on. Why do I believe principles and concepts are more important to focus on? Technique often requires a specific set of conditions in order to be applied properly. Principles and concepts can be applied across a broad range of environmental factors, situations and conditions. Technique often breaks down under time pressure and stress. … [Read more...]

This may never have happened to you, but occasionally I have workshops or seminars where I completely miss the mark with one or more attendees and as a result they give me very poor evaluations.Let me share the most recent example. For the last four years I have had the privilege to present at the National Tactical Officers Association annual conference. I do a 2 hour breakout session during the vendor expo on Embrace the Suck and Dare to Be Great and an 8 hour Excellence in Training workshop later in the week. I just received the evaluations from the Excellence in Training workshop at the … [Read more...]