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OPINION
A recipe for training
M y department holds weekly meetings in which we cover upcoming tasks and events, what we are each working on, and anything else that needs follow-up. Regardless of the topic, we always begin our department meetings with a fun question. Learning takes time and effort – but the end results can be as rewarding as making your favorite meal.
After several years of working remotely, the questions have become a little repetitive. I recently suggested that once a month we select a food (the first was “potatoes”) and all take the following month to find or create a recipe using that ingredient. We would then share our recipe with the rest of the department as a new way to start a meeting. At first, I was uncertain how this would work, but it led to a new way of learning about the other people in the department. What type of potato did everyone use? Was the dish savory or sweet? Who followed a recipe and who made one up? This concept got me to think – and research – what are the benefits of cooking outside of potential health benefits? Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Director of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, was quoted in a Cleveland Clinic article stating, “Many brain processes involved in getting dinner on the table are classified
as executive functions. Executive functions test our ability to organize, prioritize, sustain focus, solve problems, retrieve memories, and multitask.” As a training professional, I wanted to align the development of a training program with that of following a recipe and cooking. So, let’s go through the steps. Think about your favorite meal: eggplant parm, macaroni and cheese, pancakes, tacos, pizza, ramen – you choose. When you make your favorite meal, there are several components: ■ The ingredients. Every training course starts with an outline. What are the main objectives that should be accomplished by the end and what are the essential tools for learners to achieve that goal? This is the course outline.
Danielle Eisenstock
See DANIELLE EISENSTOCK, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 11, 2023, ISSUE 1516
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