Monia Russo, Managing Partner Hermes Consulting
“We cannot know what will happen to us in the strange weave of life. We can, however, decide what must happen within us, how we can face things, and what decision to take, and in the end, that is what truly matters.” (Isaac Newton)
This quote might seem distant from the world of training, yet it captures its deepest essence. Because today, more than ever, training is not merely about delivering content; it is about creating spaces that help people choose who they want to be, how to navigate complexity, and how to direct their own change.
For too long we have viewed the classroom as a purely functional setting: updating skills, boosting performance, transferring knowledge. But what truly transforms is not the content itself—it is the relational experience and the awareness that people develop as they learn.
Real change begins when we stop acting solely from our roles.
In organisations, people work side by side for years without ever truly meeting. Then they step into the classroom, and something shifts.
Someone speaks up for the very first time; someone shares a doubt; someone recounts an experience they had never voiced before.
In that moment, training becomes a mirror: it reveals the invisible weave of shared stories, expectations, and questions that connect people.
This openness is not a side effect. It is the beating heart of well-designed training and the fertile ground where self-awareness flourishes. That is where time becomes meaningful, where learning takes root, and where change becomes genuinely possible.
The context makes all the difference. Always.
Neuroscience proves it: the brain learns best in psychologically safe environments. This is not simply a matter of well-being; it is about gaining deep access to one’s own intelligence. When someone feels the need to defend themselves, fearing judgment or misunderstanding, they cannot truly learn.
Yet when people feel seen, heard, and welcomed, something ignites. The content does not stay on the surface; it integrates, turns into practice, and becomes awareness put into action. In this sense, training is not an academic exercise: it is a human laboratory.
Every classroom is a microcosm of the organisation.
What happens in the classroom speaks more clearly about corporate culture than any statement of values ever could.
If people do not feel free, or if stated values fail to translate into tangible experience, a disconnect opens up. But when the classroom embodies consistency, authenticity, and trust, training becomes a strategic lever, relational capital, and transformative energy.
Whoever enters the room carries an implicit question:
“Does it make sense for me to be here?”
Answering this question does not mean filling the time with content; it means creating a space where everyone can recognise themselves, contribute, and connect. That is where awareness is sparked, and where transformation and growth begin.
Five practical actions to ensure training generates awareness and value:
- Observe the classroom as an organisational diagnostic tool
It provides an accurate reflection of the company culture. What do you see? Genuine engagement or resistance? Curiosity or self-defence? - Foster genuine dialogue
Create room for people to speak authentically, stepping away from the protective shield of their roles. Sincere conversation is a vital sign of an organisation’s relational health. - Build safe environments, not just orderly ones
No one learns when feeling exposed. Psychological safety is not optional; it is the foundation for learning, innovating, and changing. - Read the dynamics, not just the content
What is happening between people? Is there reciprocity, listening, and courage? Or do they avoid each other, hold back, and watch from a distance? - Choose who facilitates with care
Facilitating a group is not about delivering a lecture; it is about orchestrating the relational context and fostering trust. You need practitioners who know how to read, welcome, and transform group dynamics.
Training is not about filling minds, but awakening awareness.
Training today is one of the most powerful tools to bring company culture to light and orient it towards the future—provided we treat it not as a mere container, but as an opportunity for truth, connection, and resonance.
https://www.hermesconsulting.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Il-senso-profondo-della-formazione.pdf
