A strange question perhaps for a blog on a training design website. And to be honest, now I’ve asked the question, I realise that there are probably many differences. Furthermore, the one I’m going to refer to may not even be accurate – it’s based on my feeling after watching both men appear on Later with Jools Holland.
Clearly, both are accomplished musicians, and for both music is front and centre in their life.
It struck me that the main difference is that Ronnie Wood wants to PLAY great music, whilst Mark Ronson wants to MAKE good music. And there’s a subtle but significant difference.
Ronnie Wood clearly wants to play the best music he can. He wants to entertain a crowd and play – anything, anytime with anyone. He seemed lost without a guitar in his hand and didn’t know what to do with himself when others were providing the music.
Mark Ronson is more about putting together the best possible sound – whether or not he’s directly involved. Naturally he can play music and will if he will add value, but if there’s a better musician, or a different sound is needed, he will step back.
In the training world, there are very many Ronnie Woods – brilliant “performers” who just love being in the training room and really don’t know what to do with themselves when they aren’t, who are real specialists in one area. I’ve made it my business to get to know many of them, because I’m a Mark Ronson: I’m happy to work behind the scenes to create the best learning experience whether or not I’m the public face of the training.
It’s a different approach and it needs a different skill-set. Although it wasn’t planned, it’s how my role has evolved over the years: I still do facilitate workshops from time to time, but I moved more into designing programmes for others to deliver a few years ago. Now I’m moving again, into developing design skills in others so that THEY can create great training programmes for fantastic trainers to deliver.
It’s all about creating the best learning and development solutions I can. Whether I’m the visible face, working behind the scenes, or just supporting those who are doing it all, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s very very satisfying.
And to help me do that, I started the Training Designer’s Club – an online community providing inspiration, support and development for anyone involved in learning design.
I’m also going to be offering an on-line programme in January to develop the design skills in others. It will include webinars, online meetings and courses, and one-to-one coaching to really develop training design skills in others. The idea is that by the end of the programme participants will have researched and designed a blended learning experience that meets a specific need in their business.
Because this will be entirely new, I’ll be looking for just 6 pioneer participants to work with me on this. So, if you want to be a pioneer (or know someone who might) – get in touch. No obligation – apart from allowing me to contact you about it!