Having the courage to try new things isn’t an innate skill. We must push ourselves to do it—whether it’s ziplining, riding roller coasters or giant waterslides, or coloring your hair purple or bleaching it blonde. Most people must work up to these things. Before actually doing the thing, there is doubt. There may be fear. There is talking yourself into and out of doing it a dozen times. And that funny feeling in your stomach. Sometimes there are false starts and less risky options tried before you do the thing that takes the courage. Go, you!
How did you feel after you finally did it? Elated, right? And likely none of it was as bad as you’d worked yourself up to believe it would be.
DO IT ANYWAY
Having the courage to try innovative and creative solutions to new (and old) learning and development (L&D) challenges is the same. And it feels much the same in the planning and selling of the concept to your peers and leaders. Those same doubts and imposter syndrome may try to creep into your psyche. Pro tip: It is worth it. Do it anyway!
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking and begin dispelling those myths in your head:
- Determine how best to integrate augmented reality (AR) into onboarding for new staffers who need to experience job tasks safely but in a realistic way.
- Realize that virtual reality (VR) is the best method to teach employees how to apply critical thinking skills to difficult workplace situations.
- Recognize that it is past time to consider reducing the amount of classroom training time and implementing a fully hybrid solution.
How to move from fear to courage in these situations likely will be different for everyone. But it’s not all that different when you think about it.
MORE PRO TIPS
Here are a few more pro tips to start you on your way to new, different, creative, innovative training:
- Find a success partner to bounce ideas off of and help shape those ideas into solutions.
- Begin with a smaller project. Ideally, it will hold the potential for big impact and garnering broad appeal.
- Find additional partners who believe in the impact and success of the project.
- Build on success. Move on to the next project.
- Be open to feedback but don’t back down or give up.
- Ignore your inner critic and imposters. Go ahead. Take the leap!