Vaccine and Behavioural Training

 

Vaccine and Behavioural Training

A vaccine is a preventive measure that has been used for many years. Vaccines have played a vital role in saving millions of children from various diseases, with the Polio vaccine as a prime example. Now, let's explore how behavioral training can act as a vaccine for employees.

We know that many behavioral training programs are conducted for different reasons. Some arise from challenges faced by the organization; for instance, a poorly managed conflict with a client might have resulted in a significant financial loss. Other programs may stem from job competency requirements or the need to utilize budget allocations, such as team bonding activities. Let’s delve into how training can be used as a vaccine.

In 2015, I was associated with a software company that worked with U.S. clients out of Chennai. The company had signed a contract with a U.S. medical company, allocating resources based on the client's needs. During a regular visit, the Head of HR spoke about this primary account, and I was pleased to see the headcount increasing, which meant more business for us. After our conversation, I began thinking about how to contribute to their new account management and drafted a plan.

I scheduled an appointment with the HR Head to share my thoughts. I suggested conducting a reverse brainstorming session to identify potential reasons for project delays, misunderstandings, or conflicts that could arise during the project. The HR Head was enthusiastic about the idea, and we arranged an intervention with key team members to list possible issues related to delays, misunderstandings, and conflicts. Following this discussion, we also determined what behavioural training would be necessary to avoid such problems and better handle misunderstandings.

This opened a Pandora's box of opportunities, allowing us to align training programs with other departments working alongside the development team.

 

 

Once we rolled out the program and explained how it had evolved, the participants were eager to learn and could relate the training to their roles.

After the software was delivered, we received feedback indicating that delays were minimal, misunderstandings were rare, conflicts were non-existent, and communication was assertive.

When we design proactive programs, they truly serve as a vaccination. Instead of relying on remedies to address issues after they arise, it is better to implement preventative measures to avoid unwanted problems in the first place.

M.L. Narendra Kumar