Learning Through Authentic Example: The Power of Personal Model Training
“It feels more like learning alongside each other rather than being lectured to, and that collaborative spirit seems to stick with people long after the training ends. ”
Above is my Rise interaction featuring the content I created for a recent project for my Corporate Training and Motivational Development course at Full Sail University.
During my master's program in Instructional Design and Technology at Full Sail University, I had the opportunity to develop and deliver training presentations that applied theory to practice. Through this experience, I discovered that the most effective way to connect with adult learners isn't through polished presentations or theoretical frameworks—it's by getting real about how I work. When I train manufacturing workers on new robotic interfaces or other technical skills, I don't position myself as the distant expert with all the answers. Instead, I share my genuine experience: the successful approaches I've developed, the mistakes I've made along the way, and the messy reality of learning something new. I walk participants through my actual thinking process out loud, showing them not just what to do, but how I figure out what to do when I'm uncertain.
This authentic approach creates something powerful in the training room. Participants become more engaged because they can see that professional expertise isn't about perfection—it's about having thoughtful processes and learning from experience. When someone asks a question, I don't just give them the textbook answer; I show them how I would actually approach that same problem in real life, complete with my reasoning and even my uncertainties. It feels more like learning alongside each other rather than being lectured to, and that collaborative spirit seems to stick with people long after the training ends. The result is learners who feel empowered to tackle challenges with confidence, knowing that stumbling and figuring things out is part of the process, not a sign of failure.
