Traditionally, management training programmes are delivered in stuffy training rooms, sprinkled with flip charts and littered with plastic cups. So what about a training day that isn’t in a room with tables and chairs organised into a horseshoe; no flip chart, folders or pens! Experiential management training is novel and poignant way of teaching those who may have been desensitised by the traditional approach over the years. It is a truly unique experience and one of the most effective leadership and management training events.

Based on a storyline or activity that cleverly and subtly mirrors the working environment, experiential learning is designed to take delegates out of their comfort zone, encouraging natural reactions to situations which demonstrate individuals’ true management, leadership and communication skills and preferences. The event can last from half a day, to 2-days or more, and can be held in the big outside or a large unrestrictive room. The focus is to break barriers; to learn but to have some fun.

For half a day immediately following the event, the delegates are brought together for a debriefing during which elements true to the learning objectives are drawn to the surface. Through formal theory and input from the trainer, these personal and team realisations are strung together and the learning objectives achieved.

By providing everyone with an opportunity to dig deep and bring unknown talents to the surface, individuals are able to realise qualities that were previously unknown to themselves or members of their team. It provokes everyone to reconsider their communication style and how they approach their work. It generates a high degree of self-awareness, empathy and camaraderie with colleagues; for some, it will change the way they see the world.

By Claudia Cooney | Righttrack’s Sales & Key Account Executive