Training is Not One-Size-Fits-All
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Feb 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 10
No two employees learn the same way, and if you’ve ever tried to train a group, you know how quickly things can go sideways. The talkers take over, the quiet ones zone out, and before you know it, you're repeating yourself and wondering if anyone even read the documentation you prepared.
Training isn’t just about dumping information. It’s about getting through. And that takes understanding personality, learning styles, and the emotional side of learning something new.
Training is Not One-Size-Fits-All
I’ve learned that the best training hits all the senses. I teach using visuals, words, hands-on practice, and repetition. I write training materials with screenshots and step-by-step guidance. Then I make sure I walk the person through the task one-on-one.
Why one-on-one? Because group training often falls flat. You usually have one person who asks all the questions while the rest stay silent, either because they’re intimidated or think their questions are dumb. I always remind them, there’s no such thing as a dumb question.
But I also back up every group training with detailed documentation. That way, even if they zone out, they have something to go back to. Repetition helps the learning stick.
The Hardest Person to Train
It’s not the beginner, it’s the person who already thinks they know it all.
They’re often the hardest to train because you don’t know what they know or don’t know. You can’t build a solid foundation if you don’t know what parts are missing.
They come in with partial knowledge or bad habits they’ve picked up elsewhere. So you have to spend extra time breaking down what they assume is right, explaining why this team or company does it differently, and then rebuilding their understanding.
That takes patience and clarity.
My Gift is Learning and Sharing It
I learn quickly. It’s one of my strengths. And I use that gift to train in ways others can actually absorb. That means giving them layered tools:
Written instructions
Hands-on walkthroughs
Space to try it themselves
Time to ask questions
I don’t just train to check a box, I train to make people feel capable. Because training is not one-size-fits-all, every approach has to adapt to the learner.
Pet Peeves and Frustrations
My biggest pet peeve is training someone who doesn’t listen. If they’re on their phone, distracted, or refusing to ask questions, it makes the process miserable. I want engagement. I want curiosity. Training isn’t passive, it’s a two-way street.
Fast learners and slow learners need different support:
Fast learners need challenge
Slow learners need encouragement and repetition
Adjust your speed and feedback to meet their needs.
What to Do When Training Fails
Sometimes training doesn’t stick. Not everyone is ready. Not everyone wants to grow. And yes, sometimes you fail to reach them.
When that happens:
Don’t take it personally
Review what didn’t work
Revise your approach
Failure isn’t the end, it’s a prompt for better systems, clearer materials, or maybe a different trainer next time.
A Pep Talk for New Supervisors
If you're just starting out and training is overwhelming, here’s what I want you to know:
People are puzzles. You have to figure out what motivates them, what blocks them, and what makes things click.
You will mess up. You’ll explain something the wrong way. You’ll forget to document a step. You’ll assume someone understood when they didn’t. That’s normal.
Document everything. You’ll thank yourself later.
Be patient. With them and yourself. You’re both learning.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be consistent and open to improving. Each person you train teaches you something too.
Final Word
Training is part art, part science.
The art is in understanding people.
The science is in building systems that work.
Be the kind of leader who trains with empathy. Tailor your methods. Build tools that last. And remember: when someone you trained succeeds, that’s your success too.
Support for Supervisors
Training others doesn’t have to be stressful or lonely. Whether you’re creating your first SOP or dealing with difficult learners, we’ve got tools to help:
Join our supervisor group and learn how others manage training challenges
Try our Neighbor Chat for quick guidance and support
Book a coaching session through Next Step Services and build your training toolkit
Visit SurvivingLifeLessons.com to start strengthening your leadership game.
About the Author:
Deborah Ann Martin is the founder of Surviving Life Lessons, a published author, poet, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of management experience across multiple industries. An MBA graduate, U.S. veteran, single mother, and rare cancer survivor, Deborah brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her writing on resilience, leadership, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Her mission is to empower others with practical wisdom and real-life insight to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose.
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