A world-renown research cardiologist at UCSD marched into my office many years ago and announced, “Dave, congratulations! Your abstract was accepted and you’re going to present our research at the scientific conference next month.”

I gulped, “Okay Vic.” I had only completed graduate school three months ago and was completing my internship. This was going to be the first scientific meeting I ever attended, much less presented.

My boss continued, “Oh yes, we also have a rule here that if you go to a conference, you have to teach what you learn to the rest of us when you get back.”

“Vic, do you mind if I ask why you have that rule?”

Vic smiled, “Dave, the only reason to go to any meeting or conference is to improve things after the meeting. If you have to teach us what you learn, there’s a greater chance that your learning will stick like Velcro instead of slipping like Teflon.”

Ever since that conversation 30 years ago, I have continued to refine this powerful process that increases the chances that I (and my audiences) apply what is learned at any meeting, conference, or workshop. Feel free to adapt the steps outlined below to create your Velcro learning.

1. Brainstorm challenges and strategy. Prior to attending any training or conference, ask: What major challenges am I facing at work? Let your ideas flow and keep your pen moving as you brainstorm the answers to this question. You might also want to reflect on your goals and your organization's strategy.
2. Write a S.M.A.R.T. goal. Based on your business challenges, professional goals, and your organization's strategic imperatives, write a S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Responsible, Timed) goal for your training. What do you want to do better or differently? For example, one executive at our recent leadership course said her goal was to: “Improve my coaching skills by mid- year to help my direct reports develop professionally.”
3. Meet with your boss. One or two days prior to class, meet with your boss for a few minutes to discuss your goal for the training. Ask for input regarding how well you have aligned your goals with his or her overall strategy.
4. Create an insights, ideas, and behaviors page. At the start of the training, write your goal at the top of the back page of your study guide or any blank page. Beneath your goal, write your insights, ideas, and behaviors (IIB). As you proceed through class, write any possible IIBs that might help you reach your goal on this page. By the end of the training or meeting, you should have several IIBs on this one sheet.

5. Review your favorites with a partner. Review your IIBs with a classmate near the end of your educational program. Focus your discussion on a few IIBs that will help you reach your goal. Tell your partner how you are going to use these few IIBs when you get back to work. A behavioral IIB helps you see yourself applying what you learned, such as: I will coach my direct reports by scheduling one five-minute meeting every day with one of them.
6. Link the new behavior with an old habit. One of the best ways to remind yourself to practice your new behaviors is to link those new behaviors to an existing habit or system (old habit + new behavior = new habit). For example, linking Outlook scheduling (old habit) and coaching (new behavior) will help create the new habit of coaching his direct reports.
7. Review and celebrate progress. When you are back at work, solicit feedback from a colleague or your manager regarding your implementation of these behaviors. Ask them to help you monitor your progress. Once a week, report the progress and challenges you are experiencing as you use your new behaviors. Make sure you also celebrate your small successes.

My first scientific presentation many years ago did not go very well, BUT my debrief to my colleagues back at UCSD about what I learned at the meeting did. In fact, after that meeting, Vic hired me and I spent the next five years researching, presenting, and... trying to make my learning stick like Velcro.

Keep stretching, Dave

Dave Jensen and his team transform proven leadership tools into your success stories. Dave is an executive coach and an engaging speaker at conferences, meetings, and retreats. He can be reached in Los Angeles, CA, at (310) 397-6686 or http://davejensenonleadership.com/.