Training in Leadership: How Progression Training Builds Problem Solvers

Why Critical Thinking Is the Missing Piece in Most Training Programs

Training.

For many, this word has become a negative. For those who must go through it as well as those who must develop it, training is something to be dreaded rather than something to be looked forward to. The goal of training is to acquire or develop the skill, knowledge, or experience of one who trains. If that is true — and I believe it is — then each training session should be a further development of the individual or team, shouldn’t it?

So how does the trainer ensure that result? I believe the answer lies in what is called progression training. It’s also the answer to what your people will respond to consistently and enthusiastically: the development of their critical thinking skills.

If continuous improvement is the goal and the pursuit of excellence is the rule, then let’s look at how progression training keeps learning fresh, engaging, and deeply growth-oriented.

Starting with the Basics

With any new employee, there is usually some kind of training program that initiates them into the workplace:

• What their job description is

• What is expected of them

• What happens if expectations aren’t met

• The rules and regulations of the organization

This should provide comfort, clarity, and a sense of belonging. But what happens after the basics? How do you achieve continued growth and maintain excellence as the organizational standard?

You can — through progression training, with critical thinking as its foundation.

Why Critical Thinking Belongs in Every Training Program

Excellence in any organization requires problem solvers. The more problem solvers you have, the stronger and more resilient your culture becomes.

We teach a critical thinking class, and it is by far the most popular class we have. Engaging people’s brains to solve problems excites them. Playing games, doing puzzles, overcoming obstacles — these are all effective ways to activate the human brain. And your training should tap into that same energy.

Design your training from a problem-solving perspective. First, define the procedure. Then layer problems into it.

Progression Training in Action

Example: Fire Department Training on connecting to a hydrant? Add layers:

• A burst hose

• A dry hydrant

• A radio that doesn’t work

• A pump that fails

Example: Hospital Training on communication with the public? Add layers:

• A hostile patient

• An absent supervisor

• A crowd of anxious family members

This layering — this “progression” — is what brings excellence to training.

Why This Matters for Training in Leadership & Organizational Excellence

If you want the entire organization engaged in training, layer it. Training in leadership requires the newest hire to the most seasoned professional, every person can participate in solving the challenges associated with procedures, teamwork, and communication.

Most of all, progression training keeps people engaged, thinking, and striving for excellence — the very qualities organizations desperately need today.

Closing Thought

Before you design your next training session, consider how progression training and critical thinking can transform both performance and morale. If you want to deepen this development inside your organization, explore our Delegation & Empowerment Workbook — a powerful tool for strengthening leadership skills at every level.