How To Extract The Most Value from a Workshop

From individuals to teams to entire organizations, people all around the world invest in and attend workshops in an effort to improve in some way, shape, or form. As an eager learner myself, I find myself constantly looking for opportunities to learn from the latest research, develop skills and techniques, and grow myself so that I can continue to help my clients grow. However, one of the biggest challenges I face is hoping to absorb everything while knowing that I likely will not retain all of the information; according to Forbes, attendants of a lecture retain only about 50% of what they learn after two weeks.

I know that I’m not alone in this struggle. As somebody who frequently delivers workshops, one of the biggest asks I get at the end of a session is how to retain the information learned - and especially, the insights gained from that information. From training to team development, people across all industries I work in consistently express the desire to make the most of what they learn in a workshop.

It turns out the key to retaining information is to actually figure out a way to apply it immediately, and then to implement the application well. Gathered over the years from a variety of sources as well as personal experiences (of my own, of my peers, and from my clients), here are some things I have found helpful throughout my years of attending and giving workshops:

  1. Before you go into the workshop, do a brain dump.

    Brain dumping is a way to get clear and be fully present. The exercise involves taking a few minutes to list on a piece of paper all of the things that are on your mind at the present moment, as well as things that you think will mentally distract you throughout the day. Think not just about work, but also about home, family, hobbies, entertainment - basically, anything.

    Then, next to each item, quickly jot down the ideal outcome you want for that item. Then write down the next action step that needs to be taken to achieve that outcome.

    The beautiful (and burdensome) thing about this exercise is that all the things you wrote down will still be waiting for you at the end of the day. Physically taking a pen and writing it on a piece of paper gives you a place to put those thoughts for safe-keeping (at least temporarily) so that your mind can be clear and spacious for new information.

  2. Take really, really clear notes - and review them right away.

    I like to take electronic notes during workshops I attend. However, if I'm not careful, as the days, weeks and months go by, I may not fully understand what I wrote down when the time comes to review them. Make sure you set aside some time to review your notes right away, as close to the end of the workshop as you can. The breaks during a workshop are even more ideal.

    Finding ways to reinforce new discoveries by repeating the information to yourself or applying it immediately to the world around you is a great way to incorporate what you’re learning as you’re learning it.

  3. If the facilitator says anything that is unclear, ask them to clarify.

    Don't be afraid to ask the facilitator to clear up a point they made. You will be doing yourself, your fellow participants, and the facilitator a favor. This is often how I get the best refinements to the workshops I conduct. It is also a way to make the information applicable to you - which will only make it that much real and easier to remember.

  4. If the facilitator has not done so, whittle down the workshop to three main points. 

    A client once, after previewing slides, asked me to come up with five "pithy" phrases that the participants could use as a review slide. That advice alone moved my workshops to the next level. It turned out that senior leaders especially valued that slide because it made the information “sticky” and memorable.

    By self-creating summary phrases, you capture the points that are important to you. Furthermore, the act of having to think through information and then come up with a new summary statement embeds the statement in your own head.

  5. Identify and immediately implement core parts of the workshop; make it personal.

    To make the most of the time you invested in participating in a workshop, look for ways you can immediately use what you've learned. The idea is to start using what you've learned before you forget it (or even as you’re learning it); by seeing your new learnings in action, you help wire your brain in favor of recognizing and remembering those insights.

  6. Set up review times.

    Typically, when I deliver a workshop, I like to have a group coaching call a month after the workshop, and another one three months after the workshop. This gives participants a chance to implement and develop questions to better utilize what they've learned.

    If that feature is not offered to you and your team, request it, because it will dramatically increase retention and use.

    If you're met with resistance, do it on your own - either individually or bring together a small group of people you attended the workshop with to debrief what you’ve learned and how you’ve been practicing it. Don't feel shy about emailing the workshop facilitator with your brief questions. We'd love to be at further service.

  7. Teach others what you've learned.

    Before the beginning of the workshop, have in mind that you are going to teach others what you've learned. This will help you be present, make sure that your notes are clear, and that you yourself understand everything.

    Then generously share with others what you've learned. In the process, you will learn and implement much more than you would have otherwise. Imagine the impact on your team if they got the nuggets that have helped you!

There is a reason you are participating in the workshops you're attending. You’ve invested time and money and energy into this opportunity. Make the most of it for yourself and for your team as you move your team towards higher performance.

Chew On This:

  • What impact would it make if you could remember more of the workshops you attend?

  • What steps can you take to make the most out of future workshops?

** This blog may be an amalgamation of a few different clients.  No one single client is represented.