Activity Tuesday: Start Before Day One
The best training starts before participants ever walk into the room.
One of the biggest mistakes trainers make happens long before the session begins.
We assume we know what participants need.
Sometimes we’re right.
Often, we’re only seeing part of the picture.
Start Before Day One helps you uncover what matters most by gathering input from both participants and their managers before training ever starts. Instead of beginning your session with assumptions, you begin with real data about the challenges people face, the skills they want to develop, and the outcomes leaders hope to see.
The opening discussion becomes immediately relevant because participants recognize their own concerns reflected in the agenda. Managers see that their priorities have been heard. And you gain valuable insight into where expectations align and where they don’t.
It’s a simple activity that can dramatically increase buy-in, engagement, and the perceived value of your training before you teach a single concept.
Paid supporters can download the complete facilitator guide, leadership adaptations, debrief questions, and ready-to-run PDF for about the cost of a coffee. If you want your training to feel less like something delivered to participants and more like something designed for them, this activity belongs in your toolkit.
