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This item is filed under these categories:
Training and Education Motivation Communication Seminars

We have retained a company to provide managerial training for our newer managers. All of them are pleased with this training opportunity, except for one. He looked over the program and said that it is a waste of time and he is not interested. Should we force him to attend, or is this a sign that he is not motivated to be in management?



If an employee does not want to be part of a training program, there is no point in forcing him to get with the program. One of the critical elements associated with effective learning is the learner's motivation. This employee's motivations are not focused on learning what your provider is offering.

On the one hand, perhaps his resistance is a sign of indifference, laziness, lack of intellectual curiosity, or, as you suspect, a desire to stay where he is. If that is the case, you should keep it in mind in looking at his future and possible advancement within the company.

However, his resistance could indicate that he has already been through this type of program. Or, perhaps he is seeking a more challenging program or one that offers topics that are more closely related to the issues and problems encountered in your workplace.

The only way to determine what his resistance means is to do some probing. You should meet with him to thoroughly discuss the program as well as his expectations.

His resistance is definitely a sign, but you are not really close enough to read it. With more communication, you will learn why he does not want to learn.




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