DIRECTIONS
Lauren Harbert
Hello LTEN community, and happy October! As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the air, we’re reminded that change and renewal are integral parts of growth — not just in nature but in our personal and professional lives as well. October brings with it a sense of anticipation and preparation, whether it’s for the upcoming holidays, wrapping up year-end projects, or, new to us in the Harbert home this fall, encouraging my daughter as she gears up for her school and travel volleyball seasons.
Watching my daughter prepare for and balance her volleyball schedule with school has highlighted several parallels between this and the work that is done by learning and development professionals. Both arenas require strategic preparation, continuous improvement and strong leadership to achieve success.
Just as athletes need a proper warm-up to perform at their best and prevent injuries, learning initiatives require thorough preparation to ensure effectiveness. Before launching a training program, you must assess the needs of your learners and define the objectives, and design content that is engaging and relevant.
Skipping this critical “warm-up” phase can lead to misunderstandings, low engagement or missed opportunities for impact. Investing that time upfront to set clear goals and expectations paves the way for successful learning outcomes.
Our daughter’s practice schedule underscores the value of consistency and repetition in mastering skills. Similarly, continuous learning and reinforcement are essential for professional development.
It’s not enough to conduct a one-time training session; ongoing learning opportunities need to be created that will allow individuals to practice and apply new skills regularly. Incorporating techniques like microlearning and spaced repetition can help reinforce knowledge and facilitate long-term retention.
As athletes, we know that recovery time is just as important as training time. Rest allows the body to heal and muscles to strengthen, leading to better performance in the long run.
In our fast-paced work environments, it’s crucial to build in moments of reflection and rest. Encouraging your learners to pause and reflect on what they’ve learned enhances their understanding and promotes deeper insight.
Additionally, as facilitators, taking time to review and assess the effectiveness of your programs enables you to make necessary adjustments and improvements.
Every season brings its own set of challenges and unexpected hurdles. Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits both in sports and in the corporate learning landscape. Whether it’s adjusting to new technologies, evolving industry standards or unforeseen obstacles, our ability to adapt and remain resilient determines our success. Encouraging a growth mindset within our teams and learners helps cultivate resilience and a proactive approach to change.
As we navigate through October and the remaining months of the calendar year, let’s draw inspiration from the dedication and perseverance seen in athletes like my daughter. By focusing on thorough preparation, consistent practice, mindful recovery and adaptability, training and development efforts can be elevated to new heights.
Wishing you all a productive and inspiring month ahead!
Lauren Harbert is executive director of LTEN. Email Lauren at
lharbert@L-TEN.org or connect with her through
linkedin.com/in/lauren-harbert-25373b35.