Why (Most) Training is Useless

David Maister argues that the majority of business training is a waste of money and time, because only a microscopic fraction of training is ever put into practice and the hoped-for benefits obtained. What companies don’t seem to understand is that training is a wonderful last step in bringing about changed organizational and personal behavior, but a pathetically useless first step.

David Maister

Business, at least as it is taught in our business schools and most training programs, is about understanding and knowledge.

These are, of course, both very important. However, managing is a skill, and (as it transpires) has nothing to do with rationality, logic, IQ, or intelligence. Whether you can manage is a simple question of whether or not you can influence individuals or organizations to accomplish … [ Read more ]