The Power of Employee Training
While losing trained employees may be disappointing, keeping untrained employees is far more detrimental to an organization's success.
Zig Ziglar shared this insight during a keynote speech at a sales convention in Dallas in 1985. The quote emerged from his frustration at hearing business owners complain about investing in employee training only to have them leave for better opportunities. Ziglar, drawing from his extensive experience in sales and motivation, wanted to highlight the greater cost of maintaining an untrained, underperforming workforce. This quote became one of his most referenced business principles and has been widely adopted in corporate training programs worldwide.
To put this truth into action, consider implementing regular skill-building sessions for your team, even if brief. Start a mentoring program where experienced team members coach newer ones. Create a learning library (physical or digital) with resources for self-development. Schedule quarterly development discussions with each team member to understand their growth needs. Invest in outside training programs or conferences that align with your team's goals and your organization's mission.
This principle aligns perfectly with Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." While this verse is often applied to parenting, its wisdom extends to leadership and employee development. Just as we're called to invest in children's future, we're also called to invest in those under our leadership, recognizing that proper training yields long-term benefits.
Call to Action: Take the first step toward implementing a robust training program in your organization. Begin by asking yourself these questions:
What are the top three skills my team needs to develop?
What resources do I currently have available for training?
How can I create a culture of continuous learning?
What does success look like for my team's development in 6 months?
Who on my team could serve as internal trainers or mentors?
Schedule a 30-minute meeting with your key leaders this week to discuss implementing a structured training program. Want guidance on creating an effective development plan? Let's schedule a discovery call to explore how we can help you build a strong training culture in your organization.