When Training, Like In A Treasure Hunt: The Map First is Best!
Why Starting with the Overview and Basics Matters
There’s an old adage that says: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” When it comes to training and education, this wisdom holds true—yet how you teach someone to fish is equally important. In learning, as in life, it’s essential to start with the big picture before diving into the technical details.
Let’s consider an analogy: a treasure hunt. What’s the most important thing to have first? Is it learning how to dig, or is it having the map to the treasure? The answer is clear—without the map, knowing how to dig is useless. As humans, we have an inherent need to understand our environment before taking action. We need to know the possibilities, the challenges, and the overall strategy before we can focus on execution.
The Importance of Orientation: A Sign of Trust
Providing an overview before diving into specifics is more than just an effective teaching method—it’s a demonstration of trust in the learner. By giving someone the map, you are showing confidence that they are capable of navigating their own journey, making informed decisions, and ultimately finding the treasure themselves.
This approach empowers learners, setting them on the path of discovery and mastery, rather than forcing them to rely on the trainer at every step. It fosters independence, problem-solving, and deeper engagement with the learning process.
However, it can be difficult for trainers to embrace this approach for two key reasons:
The allure of being the master of the map: Trainers often enjoy the feeling of being the expert, the one holding all the answers. It can be tempting to focus on teaching intricate details rather than equipping learners with the bigger picture. After all, retaining control over knowledge creates a sense of importance and authority.
A lack of general perspective: Many trainers themselves lack a holistic understanding of their field. They specialize in their niche and, as a result, teach only what they know without providing context. This fragmented approach can lead to confusion and frustration among learners, who may struggle to see how individual techniques fit into a broader strategy.
Why Many Online Gurus Fail
This principle also explains why so many self-proclaimed “gurus” selling miracle solutions online ultimately fail to deliver lasting value. It’s not that their teachings lack merit; rather, they focus on teaching how to dig without providing the treasure map.
People are sold on the promise of success but are left without the foundational understanding necessary to apply the techniques effectively. Inevitably, learners become frustrated and disillusioned when they realize they’ve been given isolated tactics without context. As a result, they often call out these so-called experts for their lack of substance.
True success in learning and personal development requires more than isolated techniques—it requires direction and strategy. When learners have a clear map, they can assess different methods, adapt to challenges, and ultimately reach their goals with confidence.
The Power of General Knowledge
General knowledge provides the context and foundational understanding necessary for deeper learning. Consider the example of teaching someone how to grow their business using digital marketing. The right approach would be to:
Start with the big picture: Explain what digital marketing is in relation to traditional marketing.
Introduce key concepts: Cover fundamental elements such as identifying target clients and understanding the concept of a sales funnel.
Go into details: Once the learner grasps these essentials, only then should more technical aspects like social media strategies, email marketing, and content planning be explored.
Without this structured approach, learners risk feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from the bigger goal.
Empowerment Through Strategic Learning
If you want to empower people, give them the map. If you only teach them how to dig without context, they will remain dependent on you to tell them where and how to act. In today's fast-moving world, where knowledge is abundant and easily accessible, people no longer value raw information as much as they do results and strategic direction.
Therefore, if you fail to provide the map—the strategic overview—you risk creating learners who rely on you for every step instead of becoming independent problem-solvers. The modern economy has moved beyond the mere knowledge economy into an era where what matters most is the effective application of knowledge to produce tangible outcomes.
Conclusion
Training should always begin with the overview—the map—before diving into the technicalities. Whether it’s business, education, or personal development, providing a clear strategic framework allows learners to see the bigger picture, make informed decisions, and ultimately achieve success on their own terms.
So, next time you’re guiding someone on their learning journey, ask yourself: Are you handing them the map, or just a shovel?
