In the world of sports, you’ve probably heard a few familiar sayings about practice. These are usually offered as a correction to the old idea that “practice makes perfect.” Two of the most common are, “Practice makes permanent,” and “Perfect practice makes perfect.” No matter who originally said them, the message is clear: how you practice matters. This idea doesn’t just apply to athletes; it applies to anyone trying to learn and apply a new skill.

Healthy workplace relationships are at the heart of strong teams and effective organizations. When people understand themselves—and learn to better understand others—they can build trust, navigate conflict, and collaborate more effectively.

Almost twenty years ago, I walked into what was then called VitalSmarts as a wide-eyed intern, fresh out of college, convinced I had somehow tricked the company into hiring me.

Happy New Year! Each January brings a familiar cycle. We set resolutions with high motivation, goals, and a fresh-start energy, but then distractions, overload, and old habits creep in. Before long, our aspirations turn into perspirations. The same patterns can show up in organizations—and especially in training initiatives. So how do we break the cycle …

I can’t believe we’re wrapping up 2025 already! My professional highlight by far was gathering in person with our certified community in Houston, Boston, Orange County, Seattle, and Jersey City for Crucial Learning Live. We built on 2024’s Trainer Tour to create a longer lunch-and-learn format that opened the floor to our attendees during the second half of the event, asking for their input on best practices. I loved learning from our certified trainers and certified facilitators—they shared so many helpful insights and actionable ideas!

“Combine Human and Artificial Intelligence.”

“Is Your Team Ready for AI?”

“No Tricks, Just AI Treats for Business.”

If your inbox looks anything like mine, it’s overflowing with AI-themed emails. The world can’t stop talking about artificial intelligence—and sometimes it feels like the robots really are taking over.

Talking about physical space might feel quaint after years of obsessing over virtual training. But when you’re face to face with learners, how you use the room can make all the difference. Here are a few quick tips that have helped me

Did you know only one-third of our brain functionality is predetermined by genetics and biology, while two-thirds is shaped by lifestyle, diet, rest, stress management, etc.?

“Okay, I hear what concerns you in this video if you’re Anya. But tell me—if you’re Anya here, how do you feel?” We were debriefing the first video in Crucial Conversations® for Mastering Dialogue, and this group seemed more comfortable talking about thoughts over feelings. The room was so quiet you could have heard a …

At Crucial Learning, we equip people with the skills to navigate life’s most pivotal moments. As trainers, we often meet learners during those moments—at emotional, vulnerable, and transformational times.