Focus Magazine - Fall 2017 - 13

DIRECTIONS
Dawn Brehm

Fall Behind?
So really, what
is your excuse
to fall behind?

he saying for the clocks goes, spring
ahead and fall behind. While fall is full
of colorful leaves, football and chilly
nights - all good things - the getting dark
earlier is not a favorite of many. With fall here
and so many of us closing in on the end of our
corporate year, are we falling behind?
e pace of work picks up as we scurry for
fall meetings and to finish the year strong,
pushes that roll down from above. As trainers,
we know what we do is essential for corporate
performance and for patient value. However,
do we fall behind as a department, leader or
individual contributor? Do we slip into habits
of saying yes to all requests, regardless if
additional training is really the answer?
Perhaps we should all pause and engage our
colleagues into a strategic business discussion:
Ask thoughtful questions, think through the
measures of success and plan to engage the
coaches in the decision and deliverables. A
considerate approach will propel the reputation
of the learning & development teams forward
and provide enhanced value to the learners.
Another way we can fall behind is on our
personal or team development. So oen we put
oﬀ our own development to next quarter or
maybe next year. Does that serve us or our
learners? Falling behind in skills is a slippery
and downward slope. Before you fall behind,
take a moment and reflect on how you can
block some time this fall to take care of you.
You will be the best advocate for your students,
your department and ultimately the patients we
serve.
LTEN is your partner in skill development.
e LTEN website is full of resources, many of
them included in your member benefits. LTEN
oﬀers more than 120 "webinars on demand," six
years of archived Focus articles, a new videoon-demand oﬀering that features sessions from
the LTEN Annual Conference and the LTEN

eLearning Lounge, 14 modules of quick
learning on the hottest topics in training. So
really what is your excuse to fall behind? e
resources are here for you!
As a department leader, you have increased
responsibility to set the example of taking time
for development. e shadow of the leader
casts the example of excellence that your team
learns from. Show your team members you
value them by investing in them. Most
importantly, demonstrate your pride in your
team by vying for public recognition by
applying for an LTEN Excellence Award.
We at LTEN must push forward always to
ensure we don't, as your professional network,
fall behind. We continually look for innovative
ways to support you in your quest to be leaders
in learning. Your LTEN team is open to your
ideas for LTEN Focus on Training magazine,
webinars or live events designed to keep you on
the cutting edge of learning. Always reach out
and challenge the LTEN team to support you.
Closing out 2017, turning the clock back and
planning for 2018, makes for a busy fall.
However, don't fall back, defy common wisdom
and utilize this time to spring forward and
invest in you. LTEN is here to help with tools
and resources, no matter the season! ■

Dawn Brehm is executive director of LTEN. Email Dawn at dbrehm@L-TEN.org.

FOCUS | Fall 2017 | www.L-TEN.org

http://www.L-TEN.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Focus Magazine - Fall 2017