I hear it all the time.

I’m having a conversation about Teamwork with a CEO, a COO, or a CHRO, and I ask about their teams. Almost every time, I get a response along the lines of: “We have a really great team. People work hard here. We have no need for teamwork training.

In their mind, this is 100% true because they are telling me exactly what they see from where they sit.

The problem is where they sit.

One of the most common conversations I have goes something like this. An organization knows its people could benefit from some development, so it picks one or two employees, sends them off to a conference or seminar, and hopes the lessons will somehow trickle back to everyone else. It is a well-intentioned approach, and I understand the thinking behind it. It is also one of the least effective ways to actually develop a team. Let me explain why, and what I would suggest instead.

While theoretical knowledge about active shooter situations and survival tactics is valuable, it only takes you so far. Live training, however, offers an immersive and practical experience that bridges the gap between knowing and doing. Here's why this hands-on approach reigns supreme: