GUEST EDITOR
Stephanie Hazelton
I picked up fly fishing as a hobby in Summer 2022. In these past two years, I’ve spent as much time as I can on the river hoping to land a fish in my net.
In the quiet moments of self-reflection, I’ve come to see that my time searching the rivers for the shimmer of a trout has helped me to improve my skills as a sales trainer. Here’s how.
I now find myself enthralled with a water source looking for where the fish will be. I search for deep holes, slow water, protected areas and obstacles, and the path of least resistance for a food source. My ability to evaluate my surroundings and identify my opportunities has allowed me to better search my classrooms or zoom rooms and better understand how my learners are processing the information.
Fish are smart beings and are constantly looking for the easiest food source. With fly fishing, our goal is to “match the hatch” or use flies that mimic what the trout are feasting on. However, no matter how seasoned someone is with a fly rod, there are times that the fish increase their particularity, and you have to change your flies; sometimes multiple times.
Recently, I was leading a workshop at a national meeting. I had done my research, I had prepared and I had practiced the workshop. However, partway through, I realized that the fish were not biting. I paused, evaluated my surroundings, suggested a few new options and settled on a new direction.
Being flexible – and digging into my fly box of training ideas for a quick change – allowed me to adapt the workshop and help the audience land key concepts they needed to succeed.
In fly fishing, the main driving force of how you cast your line is a very, very slim section of monofilament (or thin plastic). If you get too excited, move too quickly or don’t follow through, your line ends up tangled in a knot – or, if you’re like me, wrapped around a nearby tree.
Sometimes I feel similar when leading a training; I get too excited or move too quickly and realize that the learners are not following along. As trainers, we need to remember to take a breath, recenter ourselves and ensure the learners are flowing right along with us.
In all, I’ve learned that whether I’m on the river or on the training stage, the fundamentals all intertwine. And after I take the time to relax and enjoy a day on the water, my cup is full and I am even more impactful in my role.
How about you? What hobby do you enjoy that helps you succeed in your training role?
Stephanie Hazelton is senior manager, commercial development and learning; U.S. vaccines, for Sanofi. Email her at stephanie.hazelton@sanofi.com or connect through linkedin.com/in/stephaniehazelton.