I just returned from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians’ community near Palm Springs, California, where I had the privilege of spending two and a half days with Tribal professionals participating in our Tribal Adjudication Professional (TAP) Certification training.
Sponsored by the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA), the training brought together Human Resources professionals, investigators, adjudicators, and managers representing 25 different Tribal organizations, all coming together with one goal: To become better at what they do.
And let me tell you, these folks put in the work!
Before they even arrived, they had completed at least four hours of prerequisite coursework. Add another two and a half days in the classroom, travel time, time away from their families, and the financial investment their organizations made. That’s a pretty significant commitment.
And then, just like that, training was over. Certificates earned, congratulations exchanged, bags packed, and everyone headed home.
Now What?
You see, after more than 20 years of training professionals in Indian Country, I’ve learned something along the way. We can spend hours teaching, sharing experiences, discussing difficult cases, and challenging one another to think differently. But the real measure of what we’ve accomplished doesn’t happen in the classroom. It happens when you get back to work.
A Certificate Looks Great on the Wall, But…
Don’t get me wrong. I love seeing our participants earn their certifications. They’ve worked hard, and they should be proud. But a certificate is not the finish line. It’s the starting point.
So, here’s my challenge to everyone who attends professional training, whether it’s with me or another instructor.
Give yourself a little more time.
You’ve already invested approximately 24 hours in learning. Can you commit another hour? Maybe four hours? Better yet, a full day to put that knowledge into practice?
It doesn’t have to happen all at once. But make the commitment before the everyday demands of your job take over. Because we all know how that goes!
What Would I Do With Those Hours?
1. Pull Out Your Notes
Review the things that made you think, “Wait a minute, that’s not how we’re doing it!”
Compare what you’ve learned against your organization’s existing policies, procedures, and protocols. Identify what’s working, what might need improvement, and where additional guidance may be necessary.
2. Have Some Conversations.
Visit with your supervisor. Share what you learned and what you believe could strengthen your program.
Talk with your coworkers. Maybe they didn’t attend the training, but that doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from what you learned.
And don’t forget your leadership. If something you’ve learned could improve compliance, strengthen decision-making, or better protect your organization, they need to know.
3. Develop a Plan
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Identify a few practical improvements, determine what needs approval, and establish how you’ll move forward.
And Don’t Forget About Us!
One of the things I appreciate most about the professionals I teach alongside is their willingness to continue helping long after the training ends. I know my door is open. Have a question? Reach out. Encounter a situation you’re not sure how to handle? Call. Need clarification on something we discussed? Ask!
Professional development doesn’t end when the instructor shuts down the laptop and turns off the lights. It continues through practice, questions, mentoring, and the willingness to keep learning.
To everyone who joined me this week, congratulations again! Thank you for your questions, your participation, the laughter and learning we shared, and most importantly, your commitment to growing as professionals. I’m proud of the work you put into earning your certification.
But now I’m going to challenge you.
Take what you’ve learned, put it to work, and share it with others. Because the greatest return on an investment in training isn’t the certificate we earn. It’s the knowledge we put into practice and the people who benefit from it.
Michele’s Tip for the Month
Don’t let your training end when you leave the classroom. Before you get caught up in your daily responsibilities, set aside some time to revisit what you’ve learned. Share one lesson with a coworker, review one procedure, or identify one improvement you can make.
Small steps can lead to meaningful changes.