Expanding the Realm of What Is Possible

It starts with us. That is the theme of ATD21. And that will resonate throughout the next several days of on-site and virtual learning. The past 18 months have shown that flexibility, resiliency, and adaptability are critical to both individuals’ professional and personal lives and to how teams communicate and work together. Building off that need, ATD has worked to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, network, grow, and take part in ATD21.

“We wanted to ensure that the entire global community would be able to join this conversation and get benefit from ATD21 regardless of their ability or willingness to travel. By creating opportunities on those global and virtual levels, we aim to deliver a compelling experience to help the world work better,” says Apryl Alexander-Savino, senior director of conferences for ATD.

Keynoters Take the Lead

Monday’s keynote speaker is Angela Duckworth, founder and CEO of Character Lab and a 2013 MacArthur Fellow who has advised the World Bank, US professional sports leagues, and Fortune 500 CEOs. The title of her speech is “True Grit: The Surprising, and Inspiring, Science of Success,” and there probably isn’t a better topic to kick off ATD21. Duckworth has conducted influential work on grit—pursuing one’s goals with both perseverance and passion. She’ll provide real-life examples of how individuals have found a way to their success.

Then on Tuesday, in “Three Steps to Regenerate Your Team,” Patrick Lencioni—founder and president of The Table Group, a firm dedicated to providing organizations with ideas, products, and services to improve teamwork, clarity, and employee engagement—shares insight into how to put the right people in the right team and, ultimately, create high-performing teams. With the challenges that organizations face today, can you afford not to have cohesive, well-functioning teams addressing those issues?

ATD21’s final keynote speaker, Mel Robbins, will guide attendees and listeners on how to overcome procrastination and self-doubt. In her session “The 5 Second Rule: Achieve Breakthrough Performance in Your Career and Life,” the bestselling author and award-winning CNN commentator will address how to change your behavior, take smart risks, bring out the best in your team, and create the results you want.

Grit. Teams. Results. Learn how to up your game by following science-backed methods to address today’s challenges and move forward to those we will face tomorrow.

Using Every Tool in Our Toolbox

The talent development profession has stood tall and adapted throughout all of the challenges that have come along recently. Becky Magnotta, 2021 chair of the ATD Program Advisory Committee, and Jim Caprara, 2021 chair of the ATD board of directors, write: “TD professionals demonstrated their value by moving in-person learning online, helping supervisors manage a remote workforce, and creating a virtual work environment that maintained high productivity. As a profession, talent development needs to start focusing on ‘what’s next?’ and we believe the knowledge you’ll gain here will help you navigate that critical question.”

Many of the ATD21 education sessions and Super Sessions will help you do that. For instance, today in his afternoon session “Tough Times Never Last—Prepared Trainers Do! 7 Strategies for Adding Value and Making a Difference,” Bob Pike, chairman of P3 Associates, will speak to trainers’ need for focus and clarity. Ken Blanchard, chief spiritual officer, and Scott Blanchard, president of the Ken Blanchard Company, will offer advice on leading in the new hybrid work world during their Monday afternoon session. Further, you can take part in a number of networking sessions and roundtables that will tackle topics such as the future of learning and how to reframe the postpandemic challenges. For those looking to plan out their individual professional future, a number of education sessions will offer guidance on how to navigate a career transition.

Whether you’re listening to sessions here in Salt Lake City or logging on from Tokyo, Japan; Austin, Texas; Lima, Peru; Martinsburg, West Virginia; or Alberta, Canada, we’re confident that you’ll find a rewarding experience, one that stretches your boundaries today and prepares you for tomorrow.