Participants in training environments in Spain may exhibit some of the following behaviours:

• Separatist, individualistic approach to training activities
• Focus on oral communication, face-to-face and one-to -one
• Avoidance of performance appraisal
• Familiarity and informality in business:
  (‘ usted’ avoided with colleagues but used where clear hierarchy is expected)
• Punctuality not valued above task and relationships
• Humour prized but not at first meeting

Some of the core values and beliefs that may be ‘running this behaviour’ are:

• Importance of firm and decisive leadership.
• Importance of personal relationship between boss and subordinate.
• Resistance on a personal level to control mechanisms from others – especially if they have no clear hierarchical relationship.
• Socialising during and after work (importance of lunch and evening entertainment).
• Pride in personal qualities and regional identity.
• Executives work late.

Some Do’s may be:

• Keep a sharp focus on the core skills/competency being trained.
• Use first names on spoken agreement with group at beginning of session.
• Nominate individuals and encourage ‘pride in expertise’.
• Give positive feedback in front of peers.
• Be aware of the developed sense of hierarchy within the room and work with it to meet the training objectives.
• Pairs, group work and some role-plays.

Some Don’ts may be:

• Try to generate consensus at every juncture of the training.
• Show overt ‘favouritism’ to certain individuals.
• Use complicated simulations or ‘fantasy’ projects to develop brainstorming.
• Use ‘British humour’ to break the ice or lighten the day.