When the world feels shaky, we crave certainty. As leaders, trainers, and facilitators, we feel the pull: Just give people the information. Make it quick. Especially when our partners, community members, or staff are overwhelmed, hungry for clarity, and facing real threats to their work and well-being.
But here’s the paradox: In times like these, what people need most isn’t just more information—it’s space to make sense of information and support to apply it with confidence. Information may reassure us temporarily. But transformation? That comes when people can actually use what they’re learning—in real time, in real life, under real pressure.
Why This Matters Now
Training has never just been about downloading knowledge. But in a time of increased urgency and instability, the risks of relying on info-heavy sessions are even higher:
- Trainings may add to overwhelm, instead of reducing it.
- Learners become passive receivers rather than active problem-solvers.
- People may leave with your handout, but not the confidence or clarity to act.
Myles Horton, founder of the Highlander Center—a hub for organizing and movement education in the U.S. South—once said, “I have no problem with using information that experts have as long as they don’t say this is what you should do.”
Experts can offer clarity and spark ideas. But they won’t be there in the moment when decisions are made. That’s why collective learning matters. It prepares people to confront challenges as they arise, not just recognize them in theory.
Try This: Move from Knowing to Using
After introducing a new resource, follow it with a question:
- “What stands out to you?”
- “How might this be useful?”
- “When and where will you apply it?”
These questions signal something powerful: You don’t need all the answers. You need enough trust in yourself—and each other—to take the next step.
Final Thought
In this moment, your role isn’t just to provide information. It’s to create spaces where people can learn out loud, test ideas, and build the confidence to act even when things feel uncertain.
Because ultimately, what changes the world isn’t just what we know. It’s what we do with what we know—together.
