Eight Training and Development Horror Stories

If you have watched as many horror movies as I have, you are familiar with the classic tropes like, “I heard a noise in the basement; let’s go check it out” or the seemingly deserted house that attracts stranded travelers. Training also has its classic horror tropes such as poor course delivery to training that doesn’t address the learners’ needs. In the spirit of Halloween, here are eight classic horror tropes and their relationship to training.

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1. The Final Girl Trope (“Halloween” - 1978)?

Laurie Strode, portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, epitomizes the "Final Girl," enduring Michael Myers' assaults while her friends perish. She confronts the horror alone and ultimately retaliates against the killer.

Training Lesson: This trope in training demonstrates how one employee often faces intricate challenges alone, lacking team support. An inclusive strategy is essential to properly equip all employees.

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2. The “Don’t Go in There!” Trope (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” - 1974)?

Despite clear warnings, the friends venture into Leatherface’s secluded home, sealing their fate.

Training Lesson: This trope highlights instances where employees are assigned new responsibilities or projects without adequate preparation, disregarding indications of insufficient training. It is essential to mandate appropriate skills training to prevent such adverse outcomes.

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3. The Masked Killer Trope (“Friday the 13th” - 1980)?

In subsequent sequels, Jason Voorhees emerges as the iconic masked murderer, concealing his identity with a hockey mask that embodies a constant, mysterious menace.

Training Lesson: In training, this trope is like employees receiving unclear goals or not knowing the organization's true strategic aims. Clear communication of expectations is essential to prevent confusion and failure.

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4. The “It’s Still Alive!” Trope (“Alien” - 1979)?

Just when the crew thinks they’ve eliminated the alien threat, it reappears inside the spaceship, sparking a final showdown for survival.

Training Lesson: This trope concerns training activities thought to be finished, only for problems to reoccur due to lack of follow-up. Continuous learning and reinforcement can help avoid these repeated issues.

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5. The Group Splits Up Trope (“A Nightmare on Elm Street” - 1984)?

In numerous scenes, even though Freddy Krueger is pursuing them, the teenagers choose to confront the situation independently or separate from each other, making themselves more vulnerable.

Training Lesson: This concept mirrors the issue of employees working in isolation instead of collaborating. Team-based learning and cross-functional training are essential to avoid this division in organizational efforts.

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6. The Creepy Warning from a Stranger Trope (“The Amityville Horror” - 1979)?

Despite warnings from the priest and locals about strange occurrences, the family moves into the haunted house, leading to disastrous consequences.

Training Lesson: This trope shows that management often disregards employees' or experts' warnings about skill gaps, causing future problems. Addressing feedback and training needs early can prevent these issues.

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7. The Unstoppable Monster Trope (“The Terminator” - 1984)?

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator is an unstoppable machine that relentlessly hunts Sarah Connor, undeterred by any obstacle.

Training Lesson: This highlights ongoing organizational issues like poor leadership or communication failures that persist despite various efforts. Long-lasting solutions and strategic changes are essential to tackle the root causes successfully.

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8. The "It’s Never Over" Trope (“Phantasm” – 1979) [My favorite horror film]

When the characters believe they have overcome the Tall Man, they realize the danger still lurks. The movie concludes with an eerie feeling that the fight against evil continues, unresolved.

Training Lesson: This trope mirrors the perpetual journey of learning and growth, highlighting how organizations frequently encounter incomplete training cycles, ever-changing requirements, and persistent gaps that demand ongoing adjustment. Much like the enduring threat in Phantasm, organizations must consistently evaluate and refine their training initiatives to tackle profound challenges and stay responsive to shifting needs.

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These film examples highlight traditional horror clichés and their similarities to typical obstacles in training and development, underlining the significance of being prepared, working as a team, and tackling problems at their root.