Something goes sideways at work—missed deadlines, bad customer feedback, you name it—and the first suggestion is, “We need training!” Sound familiar? It’s like reaching for a Band-Aid when what you really need is a lifestyle change. Training can be powerful, but it shouldn’t be your knee-jerk solution to every workplace hiccup.

Here’s the hard truth: Training is the last stop, not the first. If you’re jumping to training without laying the groundwork for great performance, you’re wasting time, money, and effort. Let’s break down what you need to be doing instead—and why it matters.

Step 1: Hire for success

Think of hiring as the foundation of your performance “house.” If you’re building on shaky ground, even the best training program won’t save you. You need the right people in the right roles from the get-go.

Here’s how to hire smarter.

Be crystal clear about what you need: Don’t settle for generic job descriptions like “good communication skills.” Define what success looks like in the role.

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