The worldwide talent development community is diverse. Our members bring a wealth of experience and insight to their work. We're spotlighting their stories.

Linda Anhalt has been a member of ATD since 2006.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I have been active in learning and organizational development for over 20 years with experience that spans multiple industries, including manufacturing, professional services, banking, mortgage financing, and consumer finance. My vast array of experience makes me highly adaptable and someone who quickly assimilates into new organizations.

I hold a master’s in education with a specialization in training and development and the professional designation as a Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) from the Association for Talent Development. I also hold certifications as a MBTI practitioner, Six Sigma Green Belt, and a variety of instructor/facilitator certifications in leadership and professional skills programs.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve gained or experienced during your membership with ATD?

A network of like-minded people who speak the language of learning and performance. I have friends and colleagues from all over the world as a result of being in ATD and this field.

Could you share any professional tips, specific to talent development, that you have picked up along the way?

Development is not a one-size-fits-all approach. There is no “magic pill” that makes training and development of your staff easier or makes it happen faster, but we all know that.

As practitioners in this field, we need the technical expertise to do the work, be it instructional design, facilitation, and so on, but we also need to be resourceful, imaginative, and innovative. We have to be self-directed with our own development to stay on top of our game and to learn new things.

Do you have any advice for people looking to further their careers?

Pursue advanced or continued education, pursue certifications in your field, and by all means share your knowledge with others. Sharing helps you process and prove your assumptions, and helps you grow in return.

What is your personal definition of talent development?

Talent development helps people train for today, learn for tomorrow, and develop for their future, and developed talent impacts organizational results.

How do you stay motivated?

I have to have a balance between strategic and creative, and when I don’t, I go read and do further study of the ideas that have kept me in this field for over 20 years. It’s a reaffirmation exercise.

Have your own story to tell? Share with us using #ATDat75 and #myTDstory.