Fun is Memorable

One challenge I faced as a manager is supporting onboarding and growth for people without technical experience in our industry. I was in their shoes years ago when I didn’t know what an o-ring was. My boss asked, “Do you have a blender?” A simple, instant connection.

I was lucky to have a team that helped me understand by relating things I knew to what I was learning. When I became responsible for training, I assumed I could teach the same way, but I learned that people have different backgrounds, skills, and learning styles. So, I started consulting people thoroughly. I then began tailoring my training to their needs, sometimes getting creative to get the message across.

For example, years ago, I was teaching how to estimate shipping weights using technical data. My initial explanation didn’t work, so I asked for feedback. One employee said she had trouble visualizing 2D drawings in 3D and understanding the product, since she couldn’t see it physically.

I decided to try something different. I used a stuffed Fraggle (I love Muppets), took photos of how to measure with a tape measure, and explained the process with humor. I even wrapped the Fraggle in bubble wrap to show packing considerations. The result was a fun and memorable tool that helped people understand the topic and eased their frustration.

This experience taught me the value of thinking outside the box and how a little creativity can make a lesson stick. Sometimes, I still use a Muppet, and it always works!