Watch James’ CHART Talk on YouTube here.

I like to say we’re not just trainers—we’re directors of experience. Why? Because most training, if we’re honest, lands closer to boring than binge-worthy. But what if your next training session had your team hooked like their favorite can’t-miss Netflix series?

Training Like a Netflix Show

Netflix keeps us glued to the screen with a killer concept, and trainers can do the same. I’ve studied what makes streaming shows addictive, and I believe we can “steal from the streamers.” Here are three secrets Netflix uses that we can apply directly to our training:

  1. Storytelling beats bullet points. People don’t remember policies—they remember stories. Make your training feel like it has a plot.
  2. Cliffhangers keep us coming back. Curiosity is far more powerful than compliance. If learners are eager to see “what happens next,” you’ve won.
  3. Episodes should be digestible. Short, specific lessons go down easier and actually stick.

Once we borrow those secrets, we can build training episodes that feel like part of a series instead of a one-off meeting.

Key concepts that help Netflix work

So how do we make it happen? Think in terms of four elements:

  • The Plot. The first five minutes matter most. Don’t start with rules and policies—start with what matters to them. For example, instead of “Today we’re covering Dress Code Policy,” try “Today, you’re going to be the reason someone smiles.” See the difference?
  • The Episode Structure. Keep it simple: intro, hook, core content, action steps, outro. Aim for 5–7 minutes per episode.
  • The Cliffhanger. Leave learners curious. Just like a good season finale, hint at what’s coming next.
  • The Characters. Use real people, avatars, or recurring figures in your training. Characters build emotional connection—and connection drives retention.

During my CHART session, we put this into practice. Tables turned mundane training topics into Netflix-style shows. “Handwashing” became The Last Sanitizer of Holding—a thriller about the one team member who remembers proper technique. A time-clock policy morphed into Clocked In, a drama about loyalty, discipline, and the power of punctuality. Even silverware rolling was reimagined as This is How We Roll, complete with a dirty silverware monster threatening humanity.

Transforming mundane traning topics into exciting storylines

It was hilarious, yes—but also powerful. When we give ourselves permission to think like producers instead of trainers, we see how engaging even the most routine content can become.

So here’s my challenge to you: after you leave this article, sketch out a Netflix-style episode of your own training. Give it a plot. Add a character. Keep it short. Leave a cliffhanger.

Because at the end of the day, if training feels like a binge-worthy series, your team will remember it. They’ll quote it. They’ll apply it. And maybe—just maybe—they’ll look forward to the next episode.