Top Five Movie L&D Professionals

What are the best depictions of our profession on the big screen?

Compared to other professions, there are few workplace trainers portrayed on the big screen. Maybe we’re just not considered as exciting as spies, commandos or ballet dancers. So, what are the best depictions of workplace learning professionals in film?  Before we begin, any list like this needs ground rules. Mine are:

First, they must be trainers for adult learners, preferably in a work environment. They have to have taught someone to do a job or skill. That means say goodbye to teachers and college professors. Everyone, well Hollywood, loves the story of the unconventional teacher who goes to the rough part of town to inspire wayward students using hugs, toughness and an occasional violin lesson.

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Stop training — start educating

Many organizational leaders struggle to find a balance between training and productivity. There was a time not long ago when many managers thought the best way to teach a new employee was to toss them in the pool and let them learn to swim, only to see them drown in failure.

The companies that invested in training often overtrained,