We’ve all walked into a training or workshop feeling a little skeptical and perhaps even a touch resistant. It feels like another item on the “to-do” list, another hour (or day) away from your most pressing responsibilities.
I’ve seen firsthand how even the most meticulously crafted event can fall flat if it doesn’t connect with employees on a personal level and clearly articulate its purpose.
In past “SPARKS!,” I’ve discussed the importance of leveraging high-energy “welcomes” in your new employee orientations and in-person training programs to start things off right. They personalize the experience, set expectations, and instill a sense of value.
Everything speaks, remember?
My team and I recently started brainstorming about how we can leverage welcome messages in a new way that allows leadership to connect with employees more intentionally. Connection is important because we know that employees often struggle to understand the purpose of professional development — especially when it’s ordered from above, and the boss doesn’t even attend.
What we came up with was easy to implement and very effective. In fact, we recently used this strategy with a long-standing client to kick off their latest training workshop, and its impact on engagement and collaboration was measurable.
Here’s what we found: A brief, sincere welcome message from senior leadership to attendees is a surprisingly powerful strategy for encouraging buy-in right from the start. What I’m referring to is more than just signage and name tags; it’s a brief, heartfelt written statement or video that bridges the gap between mandated training and genuine engagement.
Let’s explore why this is effective and how to ensure these messages spark inspiration.
Attending From Afar: How To Kick Off Training With a Personalized Welcome Message
Leaders who request employee training or workshops rarely attend them, but that doesn’t mean they can’t check in from afar. Whether it’s a brief video, a well-crafted email, or even a handwritten letter, a short and sweet welcome message allows leaders to share a timely message and thank their people for attending the event.
Here are four things every welcome message should include:
- Highlight the program’s history: Whether you’re refreshing a long-standing workshop or introducing a new concept, dedicate part of the message to sharing the history of the program or the team championing it. Why was the workshop or team created to begin with? How long has it been running? Briefly touching upon the journey adds context and legitimacy, ultimately fostering a shared sense of ownership and purpose.
- Remind the team of the overall mission: Briefly state how individual roles contribute to the overarching company mission, especially as it relates to the customer. Grounding professional development in the bigger picture connects the training to your “north star.” It suggests to employees that the contents of the training were thoughtfully developed with the mission in mind.
- Communicate expectations: Clarity is just as important as inspiration. In a few words, thank attendees for their time before setting expectations and listing key takeaways. This should not be a set of rules but rather a gentle nudge toward productive collaboration. Simple sentences like, “Today’s workshop will offer a simple 3-step process for success…” or “Our goal is to address your concerns about... and provide a forum to share best practices…” frame expectations positively while also highlighting the value proposition.
- State “why it matters”: This is often the missing link. Employees need to understand why this training matters to them, both professionally and personally. Imagine a leader closing their letter with a statement like the following: “I know how invaluable your role is for serving our customers at the highest level, and that navigating rapidly changing information is no easy task. The skills you’ll develop here will not only empower you to create exceptional customer experiences but also enhance your confidence in your role.” This communicates genuine care and highlights the mutual benefits of the program.
A Newer, Warmer Welcome That Ignites a Spark
By strategically incorporating these elements into a leadership welcome message — the history, the mission, the expectations, and the value — you transform training from a mandatory exercise into an inspiring and purposeful journey.
If your development and training workshops are lacking a certain spark, take a few moments to pen a meaningful message. You might find that it’s all you need to inspire employees.
The Donnelly Group helps organizations increase their impact by preparing their people to WORK HAPPY. Connect with us today to learn more about our experiential training programs.
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Mike Donnelly is a recognized expert, keynote speaker, facilitator and consultant in customer service and leadership development. Leveraging 20+ years of experience from The Walt Disney Company, he and his team help destination location clients and clients in various customer-facing industries create customer loyalty to achieve positive business results. Learn more at www.DonnellyEffect.com.
