David Macon

A common mistake I see both new and experienced facilitators make is putting themselves in the spotlight instead of their audience.

In the book, 'Creative Training Techniques' by the late Bob Pike, he refers to this tendency as being the "Sage on the Stage." Bob went on the contrast this with a different approach, the "Guide on the Side."

He makes a compelling case for participant centered learning. The book was pivotal in helping me understand a myriad of effective facilitation techniques and I highly recommend it.

We often think of ourselves as the experts; as such, we feel our job is to share everything we know. Unfortunately, a verbal deluge of information is highly ineffective. It's so much better to lead learners through well constructed activities, allowing them to discover, discuss, challenge, apply, fail, and reflect.

If you're doing all the talking, chances are you are actually stifling learning instead of supporting it.

I want to thank all the veterans who’ve served our country. Your commitment and dedication mean so much, and I’m grateful for the sacrifices you and your families have made. Wishing you a meaningful Veterans Day.

Growth 🌱 come from adversity 🧱.

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), introduced by Lev Vygotsky, captures the idea that true learning happens in the struggle—between what a person can do alone and what they can achieve with guidance. 💡

Within this "zone," learners are pushed just beyond their comfort, tackling challenges that require support without being overwhelming. 🎯

Trainers, mentors, or coaches provide "scaffolding"—temporary assistance to help learners work through difficult tasks, allowing them to experience and overcome obstacles themselves. 🪜

As the learner builds skill and confidence, this support gradually fades, fostering independence. This approach encourages growth by embracing struggle as essential to learning, guiding individuals toward self-sufficiency. 🧠

I posted a reel earlier this week and got some questions. As a follow-up, I wanted to share more context about why it's important to view learning as a multi step journey.

The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve illustrates how we lose memory over time if we don’t actively reinforce what we learn. Initially, forgetting happens rapidly, with a steep drop-off within the first hours or days. However, with spaced repetition or review, retention improves, helping us keep more information for longer periods.

If you'd like to learn more send me a DM!

The LeadrPulse Podcast from is quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you haven't had a chance to check it out...give it a listen. 🤓

😞 Feeling stuck?
😩 Struggling to gain traction?
😮‍💨 Difficulty sustaining momentum?

☑️Busy doesn't always mean productive.

🔍 Leaders need to get clear about their goals and the activities that support them.

🚀 This leads to relentless prioritization; the rocket fuel of rapid achievement.

Tired of losing great employees? 🙁

Tired of constantly hiring? 🤝

Tired of getting 👻'd by employees without notice?

Tired of the endless cycle of onboarding and training? 📚

📢 Checkout my lastest blog post featuring the "4Fs of Employee Retention."

📃While you're there, grab a free copy of white paper "15 Questions to Improve Employee Retention."