Daylight Transport

Brenda Lazarus

Storytelling-Driven Learning

Intentional. Authentic. Compassionate. Focused on impact. Providing excellent service. Lucky to be doing what I love every single day. Thirty years of learning and development in seven sentiments.

My philosophy is simple: a new team member’s “Day One” experience must leave them knowing they made a great decision to work with us. Everything after that must connect back to and strengthen that feeling.

Learning and Development covers a wide range of responsibilities, including regulatory training, onboarding, on-the-job training, leadership development and upskilling. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside great people who make these experiences a reality. If you had offered me a million dollars in 2021 to work for a transportation company, I would have told you to keep your money. Life has a funny way of putting us where we belong at the right time.

Finding My Way Into Learning and Development

When I went to college in the late 1980s, this career was not what I imagined. Like many people in our field, I fell into it years later. As a student and young professional, I was involved in student leadership, mentorship and event planning, with no idea where these experiences would lead. An advisor once told me to keep my eyes open and doors would open for me. Those words shaped my attitude and determination.

The seeds were planted even earlier. My favorite parts of my high school job at McDonald’s turned out to be my career forty years later. A manager saw something in me and encouraged me to apply to become a Trainer. Training allowed me to focus on another Crew Member’s success, and that is where I first learned the impact of setting someone else up for success.

That lesson has followed me through every university and company since. I’ve been truly tickled when someone on my team was promoted because I felt I had played a small part in their journey. Two executives, one from SeaWorld San Diego and another from Sam’s Club corporate, once worked on my team. I hope they have gone out into the world and intentionally connected with others, creating a lasting ripple effect.

Learning Through Storytelling and Mission

In 2006, I joined the Disneyland Resort, a place I had loved my whole life. My thirteen years working for the Mouse were life-changing. I thought I would retire from Disney, but I chose to pursue other dreams. I use what I learned there every day, and the most influential takeaway was my love for training and learning through storytelling.

Storytelling is powerful. Sharing an experience, a lesson, a failure or a project helps team members understand the “why” behind their work. People need to know why they are doing the work and how it fits into the company’s mission.

“People need to know why they are doing the work and how it fits into the company’s mission.”

That’s why mission matters. I now lead Learning & Development at Daylight Transport, where our three-word mission is simple: Learn Innovate Succeed. As I wrote this, I realized Disneyland also had a three-word mission: We Create Happiness. Both companies regularly communicated their missions to team members. When in doubt, tie what you’re doing back to the mission. It helps re-center you and adds clarity.

My role also includes internal communications and company culture, and these areas fit together naturally. When we onboard a new hire, we immerse them in our culture while teaching them to perform their role. Our leadership team is transparent, openly sharing company information and financial successes. Communications, culture and learning reinforce one another.

Developing Leaders and Creating a Ripple Effect

Over thirty years, I’ve found that developing leaders is among the most impactful parts of my work. Leaders make hard decisions every day, and most achievements happen through the people they lead. When team members are well trained, understand the vision and mission, are immersed in the culture, and receive feedback and recognition, they feel part of something bigger. Happy team members drive business results.

Looking back, every turning point in my career began with someone who saw something in me: a McDonald’s manager, a college advisor and a leader who trusted me to teach. None of them knew where it would lead, and neither did I.

So here is my challenge to you: Be that person for someone. Tell them why their work matters and invite them into the story. You may never know how far the ripple travels, but it is worth every bit of the effort.