BOARD REPORT
Greg Adamson
Traditional knowledge tells us the holiday season is a time to relax, recharge and return after the break at full speed ahead. Not so fast. Is this even possible?
Ever get bored at work? What if you’re not that fired up to do the same thing yet again? Think new hires, onboarding, national sales meetings and other training events.
If this experience sounds familiar, you are not alone.
Humans crave predictability, but not too predictable. We are no different as trainers. We like the idea of doing our jobs and being familiar with the content, but how many times can I get pumped up for a multi-week new hire course?
Key learning point: Only you are going through this course for the 15th time. The new hires are on their first and only experience.
Similarly, national sales meetings or product launches are a lot like Super Bowls. You are only as good as the last one you played in. The Kansas City Chiefs are an example. Regardless of how many times they have won the Super Bowl, the most recent one — a loss to the Eagles — stands out the most.
I can’t speak for you, but I don’t want to lose a Super Bowl at work. That motivates me and instantly alleviates any unfounded boredom onset.
The same thing can happen with your LTEN membership. Maybe you get bored or withdrawn attending conferences. Perhaps you want to make meaningful impact or get a foot in the door as a contributor but aren’t sure where to start. Disengagement can happen for a variety of reasons.
One of the strengths of LTEN is that we experience significant turnover each year, approximately 22%, as professionals rotate through training and advance their careers. This means more than one-in-five members are brand new to the organization.
It’s one way that LTEN maintains its vibrancy: new eyes on the organization experiencing courses, conferences and other offerings as a first timer.
We as a board have helped create solutions for members at all career levels, from new hires to seasoned leaders.
If you want to freshen up your LTEN experience, several opportunities await:
Nominate yourself or a colleague for a prestigious LTEN Excellence Award. It’s great to give and receive recognition deserved.
Attend the annual conference in Orlando. Even if you’re not speaking, absorb what you hear and make important career connections.
Submit a proposal to conduct an annual conference workshop.
Tack on a staff meeting before or after the annual conference; everyone’s in town, take advantage of the rare time together.
Write an article for LTEN Focus on Training magazine. It’s a great tool for showing what you know. And it will forever change your Google and LinkedIn profile.
Volunteer for an LTEN committee. Reach out to any staffer and they can help match your interest areas to committee opportunities. Or contact a board member. Believe me. We want volunteers!
Attend an LTEN mixer or workshop near where you live or work, or even virtually. Today’s technology makes training together a truly shared experience.
Need a refresher or something to get that spark back? Join me in 2026 to get “unbored” by renewing your commitment to the critically important roles we play within our companies and industry.
Connect with me or with any LTEN board or staff member; we’ll help you get involved and make a difference.
Greg Adamson is immediate past president of the LTEN Board of Directors and executive director, sales training, for Olympus Americas. You can reach Greg via email at greg.adamson@olympus.com or through linkedin.com/in/greg-adamson-9b85ba7.