The ATD Forum: A Year‑Round Spring Training for Leadership Excellence

Welcome to Spring Training

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Every spring, baseball players return to the field—not for the spotlight, but for the opportunity to improve their skills for a new season. They show up to practice fundamentals, test new techniques, prepare for a successful season, and reconnect with the team.

Every spring, baseball players return to the field—not for the spotlight, but for the opportunity to improve their skills for a new season. They show up to practice fundamentals, test new techniques, prepare for a successful season, and reconnect with the team.

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A consortium like the ATD Forum works much the same way. At its core, the Forum is a place to benchmark TD practices and solve real business problems. Some members quickly discover, though, that it can function as an ongoing training camp.

A consortium like the ATD Forum works much the same way. At its core, the Forum is a place to benchmark TD practices and solve real business problems. Some members quickly discover, though, that it can function as an ongoing training camp.

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Facilitating: Running Drills and Scrimmages

Facilitating: Running Drills and Scrimmages

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In spring training, nothing replaces reps. And facilitation is no different. The Forum provides ongoing opportunities, both formal and informal, to promote discussion, coach small groups, and help peers with problem-solving, whether online or in person. The peer-supported environment creates a welcoming space to practice timing, clarity, engagement, and influence.

In spring training, nothing replaces reps. And facilitation is no different. The Forum provides ongoing opportunities, both formal and informal, to promote discussion, coach small groups, and help peers with problem-solving, whether online or in person. The peer-supported environment creates a welcoming space to practice timing, clarity, engagement, and influence.

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Writing: Perfecting the Swing

Writing: Perfecting the Swing

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Just as hitters refine their swing, Forum members can sharpen their leadership voice by writing case studies, summaries, reflections, and eventually ATD blog posts, TD at Work guides, or articles.

Just as hitters refine their swing, Forum members can sharpen their leadership voice by writing case studies, summaries, reflections, and eventually ATD blog posts, TD at Work guides, or articles.

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Presenting: Taking the Field in Front of Fans

Presenting: Taking the Field in Front of Fans

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If facilitation and writing are the drills, presenting is game day. The Forum strives to provide opportunities for members to present—whether at internal roundtables, international conferences, or industry webinars. These opportunities give members the chance to step into the spotlight with support behind them. They learn to engage with diverse audiences, manage pacing, pivot when needed, and share insights with confidence.

If facilitation and writing are the drills, presenting is game day. The Forum strives to provide opportunities for members to present—whether at internal roundtables, international conferences, or industry webinars. These opportunities give members the chance to step into the spotlight with support behind them. They learn to engage with diverse audiences, manage pacing, pivot when needed, and share insights with confidence.

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Leading: Becoming Team Captain

Leading: Becoming Team Captain

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Leadership in the Forum naturally develops through volunteering, hosting, guiding, and collaborating. Members lead labs, support cohorts, serve on advisory groups, or participate in ATD committees. These experiences build influence, perspective, and confidence—often revealing leadership strengths members didn’t realize they had.

Leadership in the Forum naturally develops through volunteering, hosting, guiding, and collaborating. Members lead labs, support cohorts, serve on advisory groups, or participate in ATD committees. These experiences build influence, perspective, and confidence—often revealing leadership strengths members didn’t realize they had.

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Relationship‑Building: The Clubhouse That Lasts a Lifetime

Relationship‑Building: The Clubhouse That Lasts a Lifetime

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Professional baseball spring training builds team chemistry: the Forum builds lasting relationships. Small-group work, cohort groups, and informal networking create trusted partnerships that can prove invaluable during times of challenge.

Professional baseball spring training builds team chemistry: the Forum builds lasting relationships. Small-group work, cohort groups, and informal networking create trusted partnerships that can prove invaluable during times of challenge.

Well, so what?

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We ask some of our members about their experiences and the idea of the Forum as a continuous spring training camp where peers can practice with peers, improve personal skills, gain renewed energy for their profession and careers, and expand their repertoire to the larger profession.

We ask some of our members about their experiences and the idea of the Forum as a continuous spring training camp where peers can practice with peers, improve personal skills, gain renewed energy for their profession and careers, and expand their repertoire to the larger profession.

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Here’s a synthesis of the most consistent and meaningful outcomes, as described by Forum leaders:

Here’s a synthesis of the most consistent and meaningful outcomes, as described by Forum leaders:

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They Expanded Their Professional Visibility and Influence

They Expanded Their Professional Visibility and Influence

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As members presented externally, published work, and took on leadership roles, their visibility inside and outside their organizations increased.

As members presented externally, published work, and took on leadership roles, their visibility inside and outside their organizations increased.

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  “Our organization's investment in ATD Forum has opened doors for me to learn, share, and be recognized as a leader in the talent development space.”

  “Our organization's investment in ATD Forum has opened doors for me to learn, share, and be recognized as a leader in the talent development space.”

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  “ As a result of the confidence and perspective gained through the Forum, I’ve been invited to share that message more broadly as a guest on multiple leadership podcasts.”

  “As a result of the confidence and perspective gained through the Forum, I’ve been invited to share that message more broadly as a guest on multiple leadership podcasts.”

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They Advanced Their Internal Impact and Organizational Contribution

They Advanced Their Internal Impact and Organizational Contribution

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Members explicitly linked Forum actions to stronger performance and influence within and outside their companies .

Members explicitly linked Forum actions to stronger performance and influence within and outside their companies.

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  “When I joined the ATD Forum, I found an incredible network of professionals from all kinds of industries—including people who understood the work I do every day. The Forum then gave me the opportunity to present my work in my organization. That opportunity led to presenting at ATD24, and from there it snowballed into speaking at a Training Magazine Conference to a room of 275 people. The Forum has helped me grow as a trusted leader inside and outside of my organization.”

  “When I joined the ATD Forum, I found an incredible network of professionals from all kinds of industries—including people who understood the work I do every day. The Forum then gave me the opportunity to present my work in my organization. That opportunity led to presenting at ATD24, and from there it snowballed into speaking at a Training Magazine Conference to a room of 275 people. The Forum has helped me grow as a trusted leader inside and outside of my organization.”

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  “Opportunities at Forum Labs have allowed me to deepen my facilitation skills while also learning new approaches, such as Design Thinking. The Design Thinking practices I learned have been critical as I’ve been able to bring these methods back into my organization to significantly reduce design time while increasing collaboration and input across teams.”

  “Opportunities at Forum Labs have allowed me to deepen my facilitation skills while also learning new approaches, such as Design Thinking. The Design Thinking practices I learned have been critical as I’ve been able to bring these methods back into my organization to significantly reduce design time while increasing collaboration and input across teams.”

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  “Being part of this community has not only strengthened our organization’s talent function but has also expanded my own capabilities, confidence, and professional contribution in meaningful ways.”

  “Being part of this community has not only strengthened our organization’s talent function but has also expanded my own capabilities, confidence, and professional contribution in meaningful ways.”

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They Strengthened and Broadened Their Skill Sets

They Strengthened and Broadened Their Skill Sets

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Members didn’t just practice skills; they added new ones and deepened existing ones through the Forum’s experiential environment.

Members didn’t just practice skills; they added new ones and deepened existing ones through the Forum’s experiential environment.

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  “Through the Forum, I stepped up to the plate with my first virtual presentation and later wrote my first professional blog, experiences that strengthened my confidence and leadership skills.”

  “Through the Forum, I stepped up to the plate with my first virtual presentation and later wrote my first professional blog, experiences that strengthened my confidence and leadership skills.”

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  “With the encouragement of Forum staff and colleagues, I’ve been pushed beyond my comfort zone, which has strengthened my confidence and helped me further develop my leadership voice. Opportunities to co-facilitate sessions at ATD ICE, contribute an article to TDL, present in roundtables, and participate in a panel discussion at the ATD AI Intensive allowed me to stretch my capabilities and contribute in meaningful ways.”

  “With the encouragement of Forum staff and colleagues, I’ve been pushed beyond my comfort zone, which has strengthened my confidence and helped me further develop my leadership voice. Opportunities to co-facilitate sessions at ATD ICE, contribute an article to TDL, present in roundtables, and participate in a panel discussion at the ATD AI Intensive allowed me to stretch my capabilities and contribute in meaningful ways.”

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They Built Deep, Durable Networks That Helped Them Grow

They Built Deep, Durable Networks That Helped Them Grow

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Relationships weren’t just nice to have; they produced professional acceleration.

Relationships weren’t just nice to have; they produced professional acceleration.

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  “On my toughest days, I reach out to my Forum colleagues for support. On my best days, I celebrate my biggest wins with these same people—colleagues who have become genuine friends.”

  “On my toughest days, I reach out to my Forum colleagues for support. On my best days, I celebrate my biggest wins with these same people—colleagues who have become genuine friends.”

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  “Serving as Chair of the Forum’s Advisory Group expanded my professional network and enhanced my talent development skills. This opportunity also allowed me to build lasting relationships with senior talent development leaders and respected experts, such as Jess Almlie, and to create memorable moments, including crossing paths with Matthew McConaughey.”

  “Serving as Chair of the Forum’s Advisory Group expanded my professional network and enhanced my talent development skills. This opportunity also allowed me to build lasting relationships with senior talent development leaders and respected experts, such as Jess Almlie, and to create memorable moments, including crossing paths with Matthew McConaughey.”

Final Score: Taking the Field Back Home

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Like spring training for baseball, the goal isn’t to stay in camp; it’s to return to the season sharper, more confident, and better prepared for whatever comes next. As one member shared:

Like spring training for baseball, the goal isn’t to stay in camp; it’s to return to the season sharper, more confident, and better prepared for whatever comes next. As one member shared:

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“Through the Forum, I’ve had the opportunity to host a lab, facilitate sessions at ICE, co-facilitate alongside industry leaders I’ve admired and followed for years, keynote at smaller ATD conferences, and participate in roundtables that spark meaningful dialogue. Just as important, it has opened doors for my team to connect, share their work, and develop their own professional presence within the talent community. I see the ATD Forum as our incubator where learning, connection, and leadership come together.”

“Through the Forum, I’ve had the opportunity to host a lab, facilitate sessions at ICE, co-facilitate alongside industry leaders I’ve admired and followed for years, keynote at smaller ATD conferences, and participate in roundtables that spark meaningful dialogue. Just as important, it has opened doors for my team to connect, share their work, and develop their own professional presence within the talent community. I see the ATD Forum as our incubator where learning, connection, and leadership come together.”

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But this idea goes far beyond any single community.

But this idea goes far beyond any single community.

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The main lesson is that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It occurs because we intentionally create space for it—spaces to stretch, experiment, and practice the fundamentals that improve our skills.

The main lesson is that growth doesn’t happen by accident. It occurs because we intentionally create space for it—spaces to stretch, experiment, and practice the fundamentals that improve our skills.

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And that’s where the real transition happens: From viewing spring training as an event… to seeing it as an intentional way of living.

And that’s where the real transition happens: From viewing spring training as an event… to seeing it as an intentional way of living.

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Spring training isn’t about baseball. It’s about choosing to get better on purpose.

Spring training isn’t about baseball. It’s about choosing to get better on purpose.

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Spring training is always in season. So— where’s yours?

Spring training is always in season. So—where’s yours?