Welcome to Excellence in Training

Not everyone will agree with all of the thoughts and ideas expressed in this blog. I look forward to that difference of opinion as it is what allows all of us to continue to grow and to learn. The ideas expressed in this blog are a result of a lifetime of experience as a learner.

They are also a result of over 19 years experience as a trainer. In that time I have been responsible for the delivery of training related to leadership, effective presentation, riot control tactics, subject control tactics, mental preparation for law enforcement officers and athletes, officer safety tactics, emergency vehicle operations, effective communication, conflict management, performance enhancement imagery, incident command, specialty munitions, verbal trauma control and assorted other subjects.

In those 19 years I have learned from making a lot of mistakes, I have learned from some great instructors, I have learned from some horrible instructors and I have and continue to benefit from the guidance, leadership and mentoring of some amazing people.

There are a number of keys themes to the philosophy of excellence in training that we will explore at length every week. Some of those philosophies are:

1. Always Remember W.I.N. (A simple but powerful acronym that stands for life’s most powerful question: What’s Important Now.) – What’s Important Now is a question we must all ask ourselves numerous times throughout the day as we are faced with a series of choices and decisions. From a training perspective it is critical to Excellence in Training. What’s Important Now should be at the forefront of our mind when developing learning objectives, training standards and lesson plans. What’s Important Now is developing the most relevant programs, most effective delivery methods and a learning environment all focused on the learner, not the trainer.
2. You Haven’t Taught Until They Have Learned – This was a philosophy of Coach John Wooden who is arguably the most successful U.S. college basketball coach in history. Under Wooden’s leadership the UCLA Bruins won 10 National Championships in 12 years including 7 consecutive championships. Wooden’s philosophy is that if the players/students/officers are not getting what is being taught the teacher must look in the mirror and take responsibility. If we combine that look in the mirror with the question What’s Important Now we will begin to explore new and more effective ways to deliver the material so all the students can learn.
3. Excellence in Training is a shared responsibility. – The responsibility for excellence in training is shared at all levels from the Training Commander to the individual officer attending training.
4. To be an effective trainer you must be a life long learner. – As john Wooden says “If you are through learning, your through.” The fact is that if you are not continually learning then you will never be an excellent trainer.
5. Those Who Teach; Learn –  This is the motto of the former training organization ALSLET and reflects the philosophy that as trainers WE should learn from every class we teach. We should learn from our students and from our experiences. As a result every class should be better than the one before it.
6. Words have Power – Too often we hear “It’s just semantics. They know what I mean.” This is a very dangerous attitude and can set students up for failure.

We will continue to explore and expand on these philosophies every week. I will share my experiences and the experiences of others. At times I will go on a bit of a rant about some of those things that really bother me.  If I go on a rant or talk about something that is less desirable in training and you are offended (not disagree but outright offended) by what I say then step back and have a look in the mirror and think about why you are offended. As Tom Earnhardt says “It only hurts if it oughta.”

Take care.