Why Modern Training Needs to Evolve with Workplace Technology
Rethinking Leadership Training for Today’s Workplace
The way we work is changing—and fast. And, like you, I have to keep up too not only in the courses I design, but in the courses I deliver.
Instead of simply teaching concepts, we need to mimic the real-world tasks leaders will actually perform. This means incorporating the same tools, collaboration methods, and decision-making processes that they use on the job.
One powerful example? Behavior-based interviewing training. Let’s dive into how a simple shift in approach made a big impact on engagement, retention, and real-world application.
From Theory to Application: The Old vs. The New
As part of a 46-week leadership program that I have facilitated for the past ten years, I have always taught a one-hour workshop on Behavior Based Interviewing. For years, I taught behavior-based interviewing by having learners:
✅ Brainstorm the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) they needed for a specific position.
✅ Develop behavior-based interview questions that would help assess a candidate’s fit.
✅ Work together in breakout rooms to refine their questions.
This was a solid approach—it encouraged critical thinking, collaboration, and hands-on practice.
But here’s the problem: It didn’t fully reflect how leaders work today.
🔹 The Old Way: Manually brainstorming and refining interview questions.
🔹 The Modern Way: Using AI tools like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT to generate structured, well-crafted interview questions in seconds—then refining them collaboratively.
So, I adjusted the activity to match the reality of today’s workplace.
The Modern Training Approach: Mimicking Real-World Workflows
Here’s what I did differently:
Step 1: Brainstorm KSAOs
Learners still started by identifying the key competencies they needed in a candidate (e.g., problem-solving, leadership, adaptability).
Step 2: Generate AI-Powered Questions in Breakout Rooms
Instead of manually writing interview questions from scratch, they used their AI tool of choice, Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT to generate behavior-based interview questions. Each breakout group worked together to:
- Craft a well-structured ChatGPT prompt to generate interview questions.
- Review and refine the AI-generated responses.
- Discuss how AI-generated questions compare to traditional ones and whether they accurately assessed the desired KSAOs.
Step 3: Discuss & Apply
The groups came back together to:
- Share their best questions.
- Compare AI-generated vs. human-generated interview questions.
- Reflect on how AI could enhance—but not replace—human decision-making in hiring.
The result? More engagement, better retention, and a training experience that actually mirrored how leaders work today.
Why This Matters: Training Needs to Mirror How Work is Done Today
Lesson #1: Training Should Save Time, Not Add to the Workload
Leaders today don’t always have time to sit in a room and manually draft questions. They use AI, collaboration tools, and automation to move faster. If we want our training to stick, we need to incorporate those same tools.
Lesson #2: Interactivity Beats Lecture Every Time
Rather than just providing a list of great interview questions, I let learners generate them together. This not only improved engagement but also increased their sense of ownership and connection to the material.
Lesson #3: The Tools Have Changed—But The Critical Thinking Hasn’t
AI isn’t replacing leadership decision-making—it’s enhancing it. But leaders still need to analyze, refine, and apply AI-generated content effectively. By incorporating both human judgment and technology, we can prepare learners for the way work is really being done.
Applying This to Your Training: Key Takeaways
Want to make your training more relevant to today’s workplace? Here are three ways to modernize your approach:
- Ask: “How is this task ACTUALLY done today?”
If your learners are using AI, automation, or new collaboration tools, build those tools into your training.
- Replace Lecture with Interactive Collaboration
Instead of just providing information, let learners create, evaluate, and refine content together.
- Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Your learners won’t always need to memorize information—they need to know how to find, assess, and apply it in real-world situations.
The best training doesn’t just teach concepts—it prepares people for how they’ll actually do their jobs.
By integrating tools like Copilot or ChatGPT (or your favorite AI tool) into training, we can:
✅ Reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
✅ Create higher-impact learning experiences.
✅ Ensure training is directly applicable to real-world leadership scenarios.
How are you modernizing your training programs? Let’s discuss in the comments!