Strut Your Stuff

I want to share an interview with Doug Lynch I found insightful and timely, it's located here.

Doug Lynch is Vice Dean, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania; he is a force in the learning and development world.

Doug Lynch knows how to put innovation into lifelong education…

His many accomplishments include creating Corporate Learning Services at New York University, an advisory program for large organizations such as American Express and JetBlue Airways on developing corporate universities. His programs won an APX Award and an HR Executive Top 10 Award. Lynch also earned the U.S. Department of Commerce Presidential Award for Innovation for his work at NYU. At UPenn, Lynch created the first doctoral program of its kind for work-based learning executives as part of the Wharton School. At the Graduate School of Education, Lynch encourages driving technology forward through use of videos and virtual open houses.

He is also a proponent of outreach, through a partnership with Teach for America and continual support of the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia. His other current positions include chair of the U.S. delegation to the International Institute of Standards; commissioner of the University Continuing Education Association; and sitting on both the Public Policy Council for the American Society for Training and Development and the Board of Visitors for the Central Intelligence Agency.
What stood out in the article is Dougís response to the following question:

What is one future change you'd like to see in the field of workplace learning?

Here is Doug's reply:

It's two sides of the same coin - I want to
see training and development folks strut! By definition, they are both educators
and business people. Training and development people are doing things that are
integral to the survival of their companies, particularly now, when times are
tight and everything is more complicated. And yet, they're apologetic; they
don't view themselves as professionals in the way that accountants or
firefighters do.


I just don't understand why they have this chip on
their shoulder. At the same time, they have to hold themselves accountable. The
fact of the matter is that if they start respecting themselves and really
demonstrating value and believing in what they do, then people will start
treating them better and they’ll be able to strut.

Strut! That resonated with me from my own experiences; it made me think, "what if learning and development professionals were better at speaking loudly and clearly about how they are supporting the organization?" We need to always be aware of the importance of connecting training with business goals. Now imagine if you were also connecting your own abilities with the business critical aspects of the work you do every day!

While you are working to raise awareness about processes, policies, and procedures I invite you to raise awareness in another area - raise awareness about YOU!

What can you do to be a more visible part of the solutions you create?
How can you communicate your personal value, and strength within the organization?
If you are doing this already, how can you help others do the same?

Have a great day and be sure to share your thoughts on how you are taking awareness of your abilities and value in your organization, to a more visible level.