Make Training Matter: Activate Habits That Stick with Ascend's Stay the Course™

In today’s fast-paced work environment, studies show that up to 90% of training is forgotten within a week unless it’s reinforced. At Ascend Commercial Solutions, we believe the real value of training lies not in what’s taught—but in what’s retained and applied by workshop participants.

That’s why we created Stay the Course™ reconnects—a structured, science-backed format designed to help participants embed new skills into their daily routines and apply them in evolving contexts.

The Science of Habit and Behavior

A foundational study from Duke University revealed that over 40% of our daily actions are not conscious decisions, but are in fact habits. These automatic behaviors are triggered by familiar cues and executed with little mental effort. While this efficiency is useful, it also means that without intentional reinforcement, even the most powerful training can fade—replaced by old, familiar patterns.

Charles Duhigg’s book The Power of Habit expands on this idea, introducing the concept of the habit loop:

• A cue triggers the behavior.
• A routine is the behavior itself.
• A reward reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to be repeated.

This loop explains how habits form—and how they can be reshaped. For Ascend and our clients, it offers a roadmap for turning training into transformation.

From Learning to Habit: The Role of Stay the Course™ Reconnects

Ascend’s Stay the Course™ reconnects are designed to activate and reinforce the habit loop in the context of professional development. These discussions provide a consistent space for participants to reflect on how they’ve applied new skills and tools, share outcomes, and explore how those behaviors can be adapted to new challenges.

At the core of these discussions is a proprietary case study approach. Participants walk through real scenarios from their work, describing:

• The situation they faced.
• The actions they took using newly acquired skills.
• The results they achieved.
• How they plan to evolve or reapply those behaviors in future situations.

This approach does more than encourage storytelling—it creates a behavioral feedback loop. The act of sharing reinforces the behavior, the recognition validates it, and the planning step ensures it evolves. Over time, what was once a deliberate choice becomes a natural response.

One workshop participant described the experience as “like the Socratic approach to learning—asking questions, reflecting, and discovering the answers through dialogue.” That insight captures the essence of Stay the Course™: it’s not about prescribing solutions, but about cultivating a mindset of inquiry, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Why It Works

Stay the Course™ reconnects are effective because they align with how the brain builds and sustains habits. Here’s how:

1. Repetition Reinforces Learning  Habits form through repetition. By regularly revisiting how skills are applied, workshop participants strengthen the neural pathways associated with those behaviors—making them easier to recall and repeat.
2. Reflection Builds Awareness  Many workplace habits are unconscious. Stay the Course™ prompts participants to reflect on their actions, bringing intentionality to their behavior and helping them recognize what works and why.
3. Reapplication Drives Adaptability  The final step in Ascend’s case study approach is planning how to reapply or evolve a behavior, encouraging participants to think beyond the original situation. This fosters agility and ensures that skills aren’t just used once but adapted to new challenges.
4. Recognition Fuels Motivation  Sharing successes and lessons learned creates a culture of recognition. When participants see their efforts acknowledged and valued, they’re more likely to continue applying and refining their skills.
5. Culture Anchoring  Over time, Stay the Course™ becomes a mindset. It signals that learning isn’t a one-time event; it’s a continuous, shared commitment to growth.

Real-World Impact

Imagine a team member who recently completed a training on data-driven storytelling. In a Stay the Course™ discussion, they might describe how they used a new visualization technique to clarify a complex idea in a client presentation. They share the positive feedback they received and outline how they plan to use the same approach in an upcoming internal strategy session.

This isn’t just a report—it’s a behavioral reinforcement loop. The act of sharing reinforces the behavior, the recognition validates it, and the planning step ensures it evolves. Multiply this across teams, and you begin to see a culture where learning is continuously applied and refined.

The Long-Term Payoff

When Stay the Course™ becomes a regular rhythm, the benefits extend far beyond individual meetings:

• Higher skill adoption: Participants don’t just learn—they apply.

• Greater engagement: Reflection and recognition boost motivation.

• Improved performance: Teams use tools more effectively and consistently.

• Stronger culture: Learning becomes visible, shared, and celebrated.

Making It Stick

To maximize impact, Ascend coaches clients to follow key principles:

• Consistency: Meetings follow a predictable format and cadence.

• Psychological safety: Participants are encouraged to share openly, without judgment.

• Celebration of progress: Wins—big or small—are acknowledged.

• Tracking growth: Teams monitor how skills evolve and spread across contexts.

Final Thought

Training sparks potential. Stay the Course™ fans the flame—turning moments of insight into movements of change. By combining behavioral science with a structured, reflective format, Ascend helps clients turn learning into lasting behavior—one case study at a time.

Ready to Get Started?

Here are five ways Stay the Course™ can help your team turn learning into lasting change:

• Transform insights into action through structured reflection and planning.

• Build a culture of continuous learning with regular, habit-forming discussions.

• Strengthen team cohesion by sharing real-world successes and challenges.

• Drive measurable outcomes with tools that track skill adoption and evolution.

• Empower individuals to lead change by reinforcing ownership and adaptability.

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to explore how Stay the Course™ can drive measurable impact for your team.   Click “Get Started” on LinkedIn or “Let’s Talk!” at AscendCommercialSolutions.com.

Happy Selling!

George

Ascend Commercial Solutions brings our expertise in Customer Engagement, Sales Management, and Market Development to overcome your barriers to growth. Our structured approach is tailored to your specific company objectives and the challenges you face. The improvements to your business and organization will stand the test of time.