From “Aha!” to Always: Turning Training into Lasting Change
Hi Leaders,
What if the real test of a great workshop isn’t what happens in the room, but what happens after?
You’ve seen it: a training day full of energy, rich discussions, and bold commitments. Everyone leaves inspired. But back at the office, the daily grind creeps in. The ideas feel riskier. The old habits return.
The result? A room full of Aha! moments… that fade into business as usual.
Why the Fade Happens 🔄
It’s not because the training wasn’t good. It’s because lasting change requires two things most workplaces overlook:
Psychological safety, the freedom to try new behaviors without fear of judgment or penalty.
Unlearning, the courage to let go of comfortable patterns that no longer serve.
Without both, even the most powerful learning struggles to take root.
Making New Learning Stick 📌
If you want the investment in training to pay off, here are a few practical ways to bridge the gap between learning and lasting change:
✔️ Go first. Share your own experiments (and missteps) so others know it’s safe to try and fail.
✔️Bake in reflection. Dedicate 10 minutes in team meetings to share what’s been tried, what happened, and what was learned.
✔️ Pair for progress. Match colleagues as accountability partners for weekly check-ins.
✔️ Refresh often. Bring training insights back in small, frequent bursts, don’t let them sit in a binder.
The Good News 🌟
With the right culture, “training day” can be the start of transformation, not the high point. When people feel safe to practice and supported in letting go of what’s old, the Aha! moment becomes the Always moment.
What’s one way you can make space for your team to try, fail, and try again this week?
Until next time,
Katy Caroan
