Content:
- Among the mentioned personalities or characters, at least one should be familiar to everyone
- Be careful with historical events in the examples!
- Catchphrases, quotes, jokes, and memes should also be chosen carefully
- More freedom when it comes to social rituals
- If a participant voices a complaint, it is important to find out what exactly is behind it
Deputy Director of the Russian Railways Corporate University. He holds an Adizes Institute Integrator Certificate and is a member of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF). He specializes in implementing effective management methods and process facilitation in educational institutions, thereby fostering corporate culture and improving team effectiveness.
Russian Railways Corporate University provides training for transport industry executives and candidates for the talent pool. The university's target audience includes representatives of all management levels, including people of various age groups. The training is aimed at developing the management skills and professional competencies necessary for effective management in the transport sector.
According to the generational theory developed by William Strauss and Neil Howe, currently, training is primarily undertaken by representatives of Generation X (born approximately 1963–1983) and millennials (born 1984–1997). Our executive development programs also include a small percentage of boomers (those born before 1963) and zoomers (those born after 1997). This generational dynamic influences learning and professional development methods, which is important to consider when designing educational programs.
Our corporate university applies generational theory not to categorize students or assign them labels, but to better understand the values of representatives of different generations. This allows us to engage with them more effectively. This approach is especially relevant because we work with mixed groups rather than developing separate curricula for each age segment. This helps create a unified learning environment that takes into account the interests and needs of all participants.
A course or training must be universal. Universality of educational material means that the information must be accessible and understandable to all training participants, regardless of their generation. To achieve this goal, several key rules should be considered. This will create an effective learning environment where everyone can master the material, regardless of experience and age.
Among the mentioned personalities or characters, at least one should be familiar to everyone.
When explaining theoretical material or conducting practical exercises, trainers often refer to examples of famous personalities or characters. This technique is actively used by methodologists in online courses, as it helps increase the interactivity of learning. Real-life examples make the material more accessible and memorable, which allows students to better absorb the information and apply it in practice.
There is a particular problem: young people are generally unfamiliar with characters such as the Soviet schoolgirl Katya Lycheva or the sailor-partisan Zheleznyak, as well as many heroes of classic Soviet films. Meanwhile, for the older generation, the names of modern celebrities, movie heroes, and comic book characters are irrelevant. This difference in perception of cultural symbols highlights the generational gap and complicates interaction in the arts and entertainment sphere. It is important to find common ground to create a shared cultural context that is understandable and interesting to everyone.
This problem can be solved by using universal images familiar to many generations. Examples of such images include Yuri Gagarin, Albert Einstein, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Shurik, and Winnie-the-Pooh. Hitler and Koschei the Deathless are also prominent figures. In some cases, it is appropriate to choose characters from classic literature that continue to be studied in schools. These images are easily perceived and evoke associations, which allows you to effectively convey the desired message.
Combination Using various personalities and characters from different historical eras is an effective way to increase recognition. Within a single exercise or topic, we can reference several such images, allowing each listener or reader to identify a familiar and relatable character. This approach not only makes the material more interesting and varied but also promotes better comprehension. Using multifaceted examples can increase audience engagement and facilitate the retention of key ideas. While image recognition plays a significant role, it's also important to interpret these images unambiguously. It's recommended to avoid mentioning political figures in educational materials, and in the context of current events, also foreign heroes and famous people. For example, figures such as James Bond or Elon Musk may not be appropriate for use in this context. This will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure a clearer perception of the information.
Be careful with historical events in examples!
Programs often mention various historical events and cases, which creates complex situations. On the one hand, some events are part of the cultural baggage of some generations, but may be little known to others. On the other hand, perceptions of the same historical event can vary, leading to different interpretations and assessments. This means that examples mentioning these events can evoke different reactions in the audience - from nostalgia to indignation. This is especially true for topics related to the Soviet era, which emphasizes the importance of a careful approach when using historical examples in content.
When choosing historical examples and parallels, it is necessary to exercise particular care and caution. For example, the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite is a positive event that will be perceived by all generations as a significant achievement. If the emphasis must be placed on negative events, suitable examples include the Chernobyl disaster or the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, using events such as the moon landing or the 1917 revolution may be inappropriate for a number of reasons and should be avoided in this context.
Catchphrases, quotes, jokes, and memes should also be chosen carefully.
The use of aphorisms, catchphrases, and memes can be difficult to understand. Quotes from Soviet films are often perceived by mature people with a positive and nostalgic feeling, as they are associated with important events in their lives and childhood memories. At the same time, such phrases may be confusing for young people, as they are not familiar with these films, which can lead to irritation. Conversely, memes popular among Zoomers can cause similar misunderstandings among older generations. This highlights the importance of context and cultural differences in how we perceive information.
When creating training materials, it is important to avoid using overtly generational phrases and jokes, especially in formal presentations. It is better to allow the trainer to independently determine their communication style with the group. As they work and get to know the participants better, they will be able to decide which elements are appropriate in communication and which may be distracting or cause misunderstandings. This will ensure more effective interaction and create a comfortable learning atmosphere.
More freedom in social rituals
Companies have different etiquette standards that determine the style of communication between employees. In some organizations, communication is carried out exclusively with the formal "you" (you) using their first name and patronymic, while in others even the CEO may be addressed as "ty" (you). Dress codes also vary: in some companies, a tie is mandatory, while in others, a T-shirt and sandals are perfectly acceptable. These differences shape a unique corporate culture and influence the atmosphere within the team. Etiquette and dress code can significantly impact the effectiveness of employee interactions and their sense of comfort in the workplace.
It's important to inform the invited business trainer in advance about your company's internal culture and specifics. This will allow them to tailor their interactions with training participants, making the training more effective and comfortable. A trained trainer will be able to better understand the team's expectations and avoid misunderstandings, which is important for the successful conduct of training.
Large holdings and corporations often face the challenges of cultural blending across various departments. In such circumstances, it's crucial to find an appropriate way for the trainer to communicate with the audience that is neutral and comfortable for all participants. While this may seem insignificant at first glance, it's actually significant and can significantly impact the overall impression of the training. A proper approach to communication helps create a harmonious atmosphere, which, in turn, enhances the effectiveness of training and interactions between participants.
Over the past ten years, Russian Railways has undergone significant changes in its dress code and communication practices. Initially, training was primarily attended by older employees who adhered to a strict formal style, including wearing uniforms. In that environment, it was customary to address each other by their first name and patronymic, and to stand when a trainer or manager entered. Such traditions emphasized respect and hierarchy within the team. However, over time, these norms have adapted to modern realities, reflecting changes in the company's culture and approaches to interactions between employees. The company today adheres to the principles of freedom and simplicity in communication. We strongly encourage participants to avoid informal attire, such as shorts and flip-flops, but a formal suit with a tight tie is also optional. We have chosen to address everyone formally, using their first names, without patronymics. Although this was unusual for some participants at the beginning, managers of all ages have now become more open and flexible in this regard. This contributes to a more comfortable atmosphere during training sessions, which, in turn, positively impacts the perception of information and interactions between participants.
If a participant voices a complaint, it's important to find out what exactly lies behind it.
The comments and complaints of training participants may reflect generational differences. Analyzing these complaints allows us to identify the needs and values of different age groups. This knowledge is important both for updating existing educational programs and for creating new products that meet audience needs.
Older people often have difficulties due to the use of foreign abbreviations, terms, and examples. The solution to this problem lies in a combination of approaches: we do not abandon foreign terms when they cannot be completely replaced with Russian equivalents, but we always provide their meanings in Russian for general understanding. In most cases, it is advisable to use the Russian term as the primary one, with the foreign version indicated in parentheses. This approach promotes better assimilation of information and makes communication more accessible for all participants.
Read also:
Adults often face various fears during learning. These fears can include a fear of making mistakes, a fear of public speaking, and a worry about insufficient knowledge or skills. Instructional designers must understand these emotional barriers and develop strategies to overcome them.
One way to address these fears is to create a supportive and safe learning environment. It is important to give adults the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them, which helps develop confidence. It is also helpful to implement active learning methods, such as group projects and discussions, which help reduce anxiety.
Educators can use visualization and positive thinking techniques to help learners focus on their strengths and successes. Support from the instructor and peers also plays a significant role in increasing adult students' confidence. It is important to remember that any fear can be overcome with the right approach and support.
Previously, there were complaints about the limited choice of educational content formats. Some users, especially older adults, prefer printed materials, while younger generations prefer the digital formats they've grown accustomed to since childhood. Therefore, we now offer a variety of training formats. Participants receive a workbook that can be used in print or downloaded electronically. Classroom training is combined with online formats, as well as virtual and augmented reality exercises, ensuring flexibility and convenience in learning. The principles of versatility, multi-variation, and combination apply not only to content but also to the organization of the learning process and the design of the learning environment. The primary goal is to create a clear, useful, and comfortable learning experience for all participants, regardless of their background or professional experience. This approach promotes more effective acquisition of knowledge and development of skills, which in turn improves the quality of the educational process.
Read also:
- 5 simple rules for creating an edutainment program
- 5 tips for an expert who wants to convey knowledge to a wide audience
- How to motivate adults to learn
- 7 insights about what employees really want from training