In a previous article, you were introduced to the first law, or guideline, that will foster success in the NexTech Academy vocational training program. Law 1 covers the importance of a thoughtful training plan. But having a training plan isn’t enough to achieve success. Your plan will go nowhere fast if members of your team aren’t moving in the same direction.
Alignment Prevents Capsizing
Imagine your company as a whitewater rafting group that isn’t working together. With everyone paddling frantically in different directions, the group might get stuck behind a rock, or spin wildly out of control. You might even capsize. It’s upsetting, because all of you want the same thing: to make it safely down the river. Loads of energy may be going into operating your communal raft, but if everyone isn’t working together, it wears you out, breaks you down, and leaves you stranded.
Training is a group effort – period. Keeping your organization aligned with your training plan takes commitment, understanding, and communication from each department.
Where Does Alignment Start?
Alignment starts with you! If you want those around you to believe in the value of technical training (and support you in your efforts), then your actions have to be in line with this vision. Commit to doing the work you expect from others. Don’t allow training to take a back seat to other projects. Educate yourself about the return on investment the company and individual departments will realize with an effective training plan. This will help you keep the action and conversations focused on the end goal: producing competent and capable service technicians.
How to Get Everyone On Board
The first step is understanding that everyone is impacted by training, but they may not see how.
Some departments may have to suffer short-term inconveniences before they can fully appreciate the long-term benefits of making room for training. When talking about a new training plan, approach the members of your organization from a positive experience position.
The chart below demonstrates a few examples:
Have To vs. Get To
A commonly taught principle is the idea of mentally converting “Have To” inconveniences into “Get To” privileges. In the chart above, practice turning the inconveniences into “Get to…” statements. Let’s look at a common household chore as an example: If you have to do the dishes, it is difficult to do that task with energy and enthusiasm. But if you are blessed enough to have dishes, to have food to feed your family, to have a working faucet, a running dishwasher, your mind and body are healthy enough to complete this task, then the chore becomes recognized as a privilege: “I get to do the dishes.” Communicating with a “Get To” mentality will keep every department aligned and help work towards the long term benefits.
Commit to Being A Team
Difficult conversations will have to be had throughout the alignment process. Have conversations early with each department about the impact and value of training. Ask each department to commit to the plan, and explain that you’re committing to them by taking on the responsibility of the future of the business. Then, continue to invest in keeping your organization aligned by communicating often with each department and checking in.
Alignment will keep you from going in circles and will help you leverage the entire team to meet your training objectives. Keep this in mind as we dive into Law 3: Bandwidth. This third law will address ways to balance your responsibilities while focusing on student success.
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Click here for an overview of the 10 Laws. For more information on NexTech Academy or other NexTech Academy products, visit our website or reach out to your NexTech Academy Coach. They can be found on your Nexstar Member home page.
