Why You Should Teach Instead of Train
shifting our language for the new world of work
Photo by Anthony Shkraba from Pexels
Traditionally, when we think of leveling up our team, we use the word train.
Train literally means, “to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient.” It also means, “to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill.”
Both definitions are connected to discipline.
They’re also connected to the old world of work, where your people were cogs in the machine.
In the days of the assembly line, using the word train made sense. It was critical that your people be as fit for the mechanical system as possible so that it would not be disrupted.
Now, the word train is limiting you and your people as it is largely functional and concerned with output. It also puts you first, not them.
Does all of this mean you shouldn’t invest in skill-building or that your people don’t want to level up? Quite the opposite.
Your people are looking for fulfillment at work. That includes a desire to grow as a human, which makes shifting to the word teach a better choice.
Teach can be defined as, “to cause to know something,” “to guide the studies of,” “to impart the knowledge of,” and “to instruct by precept, example, or experience.”
Teach is more about your team’s individual development than their fitness for your company. You can teach them about many things, whether it’s specific to the skills they need for their current role or it’s other skills, ideas, and concepts they want to know more about.
You also have the opportunity to teach by example rooted in your experience, opening the door to imparting knowledge on broader topics like leadership, overcoming obstacles, problem-solving, critical thinking, empathy, listening — and more.
Now you’re delivering value to your team. You’re recognizing that for them to bring their best self to work, you’re going to need to support and advance their whole self.
You’re also investing in vastly more developed humans who bring a lot more value back to the table.
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