Does telling someone something always change their behaviour?
Of course not. Sometimes, evidence suggests it could make things worse, whether we are parents, teachers/trainers, marketeers, or health educators. Ask any of them!
We all need to understand before we will even consider changing what we are doing. Then we need motivation, and finally the skills to make the change.
Yet many organisations act as though all they need to do is disseminate information, and assume audiences will act accordingly.
It doesn’t usually work, so I take a different approach. In designing engagement, I’ve learnt that the most effective approach is: –
- Whatever the topic, build programmes around core transferable skills for life such as risk awareness, decision making, problem solving, or team work. This makes it relevant to learners and motivates them, as they can see how it is about their future lives, not just exams
- Ensure programmes contribute to objectives across the curriculum. This is helpful to teachers and trainers, as it represents a change to delivery styles rather than cramming in more content to an already overcrowded timetable
- Engage participants as active learners, not passive listeners or observers. Present interesting and relevant dilemmas and encourage debate and discussion. Tap into learner interest. Learn by doing, using role play, getting outside wherever possible, meeting and being inspired by relevant people whether that’s professionals or others
- Only use technology where it demonstrably improves a programme by doing something which wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Simply adding tech does not motivate for long, and often it actively limits the development of genuine connection with other people and the real world, which are both crucial for wellbeing. Whilst both VR and AI offer many benefits, I am not yet convinced its benefits outweigh the risks in this area, but perhaps it depends on how we choose to use it.
Get in touch if you’d like a quick chat about how this might be relevant for your organisation – or do add questions and comments!