One of the best parts of teaching our in-person masterclasses is witnessing those ‘lightbulb’ moments happen. You can see it when participants lean forward, nod, or jot down a quick note. That spark of understanding can change how they show up at work the very next day. 

Those moments rarely happen by accident. They often start before the first session even begins, when company leaders take a few minutes to share context and purpose. 

Before one recent Project Management Intensive, a Production Manager reached out ahead of time to share insight about each of the Project Managers attending. He explained how they worked, what motivated them, where they were struggling, and what he hoped they would gain from the experience. 

That information changed everything. 

It helped us tailor examples, adjust the flow, and connect the lessons directly to the real challenges those managers faced. The participants got more from the class, and their company saw more value from the investment. Everyone benefited because one leader took the time to communicate. 

That experience reminded us of something simple but often overlooked. This kind of clarity shouldn’t be limited to training sessions. It should be part of how leaders operate every day. 

When owners and managers consistently share expectations, feedback, and goals, alignment follows. The estimator who understands what production needs builds better estimates. The designer who knows how the field team works creates more buildable designs. The project manager who understands the company’s vision makes better daily decisions. 

Communication builds context. Context builds confidence. Confidence drives performance. 

The same principle that makes a class more valuable can transform a company. People perform better when they understand what success looks like and why their work matters. 

So the next time we send someone to a class or gather the team for a meeting, let’s take a few minutes to set the stage. Share what we hope they’ll take away. Let instructors and teammates know why they’re there and what impact it can have. 

Those few minutes of preparation can turn a good class into a great one, and a good company into a better one. That’s how we light the path of greater success together.