Your Employer-Your Wings or an Anchor?

How to Turn Training Into Real-World Success

Training. Education. Knowledge. Skills. Whatever you call it, you want more of it. If you’re a marketing coordinator, project manager, senior leader, or CEO in an engineering firm, you’re always looking to grow.

But let’s be honest—most training doesn’t deliver. It sounds great in theory but rarely creates real-world change.

The problem? You’re learning without applying. Role-playing exercises don’t prepare you for real-world challenges. To succeed, you need training designed for engineers—one that connects learning to real business outcomes.

A True Story: How Learning Transformed My Career

A decade into my engineering consulting career, I joined a firm led by an entrepreneurial professor. I didn’t realize it then, but that decision would change everything.

This company believed in continuous learning for engineers. They brought in top industry consultants to coach me on:
✅ Sales and business development
✅ Project management best practices
✅ Employee engagement and motivation
✅ Negotiation and contract strategy
✅ Financial management for engineering firms

Here’s what made the difference: I wasn’t just learning—I was applying new skills in real-world projects with ongoing support. I had my wings. 

The result?
In just 18 months, I exceeded every performance benchmark and became a shareholder.
The firm’s stock value doubled every three years—proving that investing in people drives business success.

Why Do So Many Training Programs Fail?

Think about elite engineers or top technical leaders. They don’t succeed alone—they work with business coaches and leadership mentors who guide them through real-world challenges.

If professional athletes hire trainers, why should your growth be any different?

The Formula for Long-Term Success

A Harvard Business Review discussion asked, “Is training worthwhile?” The responses from 40 global professionals in engineering and business consulting revealed two key insights:

1️⃣ Growth happens in the right environment. Surround yourself with leaders who prioritize learning and development, and you’ll see measurable improvement.

2️⃣ Knowledge alone isn’t enough. Real change happens when you apply new skills with expert support. Find someone who can guide you through real-world challenges.

What’s Holding You Back?

Your engineering firm’s growth, profitability, and leadership development are in your hands. You can either foster wings for your employees or be their anchor. 

Here’s what a former project manager—now a Senior Vice President and engineering firm owner—said about working with me:

“Doug blends deep technical knowledge with the ‘soft skills’ that many engineers struggle with. His guidance has been invaluable to my personal and professional success.”

If you’re ready to turn learning into real business results, let’s talk.

Doug Reed, PE