Brian Washburn

CEO, Co-Founder, Chief Ideas Guy

Brian is the CEO of Endurance Learning where he helps find a grow a team of incredible instructional designers, elearning developers, and all around amazing people who build high quality and affordable training solutions for a wide variety of organizations.

Back when he was a little younger, he was named one of Training magazine’s 2011 Top Young Trainers, and has been published multiple times in TD magazine.

His goal in life is to help people around the world eradicate the scourge of poor learning experiences by ensuring that every training session is engaging and leads to change.

Brian Washburn's Publications

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Instructional Design on a Shoestring

More practical guidance for trainers and instructional designers who find themselves working with one or more constraints. In this book, Brian proves that even if you don’t have a ton of time or access to a lot of money, you can still produce an effective learning experience based on sound educational theory and adult learning principles.

What’s Your Formula? Combine Learning Elements for Impactful Training

Engaging, effective training programs are a mixture of science and art, requiring the right balance of adult learning theory, available technology, intuitive tools, proven practices, creativity, and risk. How does a trainer find the right combination and proportion of these elements? How does a trainer know what’s possible?

Putting Together a Train-the-Trainer Program

Clarify your vision for a train-the-trainer program with this clear guide to deciding on your learning objectives and designing the session that is most appropriate for your trainers.

Endurance Learning’s Training Activity Cookbook

Brian and Lauren assembled 63 engaging activities to improve any training session. Organized into a simple four step structure, the activities are ready to be used by new and experienced trainers.

ATD’s Handbook for Consultants

ATD’s Handbook for Consultants unpacks what it takes to run a successful consulting practice that delivers world-class solutions for clients all with the benefits of a self-directed work life. Brian contributed a chapter on how running a training business is more than just knowing about instructional design.

ATD’s Handbook for Training and Talent Development

Brian contributed to the section on training and development basics for the premier resource and compendium of everything a training and talent development (TD) professional needs to know to start, build, and navigate a thriving career.

Other Publications featuring Brian Washburn

“Presenter, Know Thyself”, td magazine (July 2021)
“The Science of Effective Training”, td magazine (August 2019)
“Reinventing the Wheel”, td magazine (May 2018)
“A Vision for Growth”, td magazine (April 2016)
“Thinking Inside the Box”, td magazine (January 2016)
“Playing Around”, td magazine (July 2015)

Feedback about Brian's Work

Excellent! Wonderful! Fantastic! I am not sure any of these words alone, nor even all of them together sufficiently describe the Train-the-Trainer workshop Brian conducted for us. Brian did an amazing job of not just teaching techniques but utilizing them throughout his presentation and then explaining what he had done to reinforce the concepts and show participants how they can apply them. The training was engaging and interactive and extremely educational. Every participant walked away with ideas they could begin implementing immediately to help elevate their trainings.

I’ve had the pleasure of engaging with Brian in multiple settings – as an in-house training director, a facilitator, a thought-leader, author, and consultant. Above all, I always learn something new from Brian that I can apply in my professional capacity as a trainer, facilitator, and leader. What sets him apart from others is the time and care he takes in gaining consensus on expectations – understanding how best to apply his skillset while validating the knowledge and experiences the client or participants bring to the table. Brian is completely in his element as a facilitator, whether it is in the development stages of a curriculum, the implementation of a curriculum, and leading a workshop – he keeps everyone focused on achieving the set objectives. Brian is a trusted resource and partner who cares deeply about making an impact on the community at-large. I always feel fortunate, comfortable, and supported to work with Brian on any kind of project.

Sometimes the right training comes along at the right time! I had the privilege of attending a 2-part conference session for early childhood trainers on training design and facilitation led by Brian Washburn. It was an eye-opening experience that has changed the way I approach training. Inspired by the techniques and principles Brian presented, I transformed my own conference session (which was the following morning!) from a lecture-heavy, PowerPoint-focused training to a discussion-based, chart paper-using, idea-flying learning experience. I can honestly say the work done with Brian that day had more of an impact on my training style than any other single training I’ve attended, and many of my colleagues would say the same. I appreciate Brian and look forward to learning with him again!

We strongly recommend Endurance Learning and Brian Washburn as he helped our team every step of the way to create a successful event from design to execution. In advance of the session, he developed exercises to ensure that our team would have meaningful conversations and remain engaged throughout the process. As a facilitator, Brian was well prepared and understood the unique requirements and needs of this retreat.

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Some of Brian Washburn's Favorite Articles

Brian has been the primary author of Train Like a Champion (now the Endurance Learning blog) since 2012. Over that time he has reflected on his practical experience as a training and his work supporting clients.