As 2013 comes to a close, it is time to reflect on the past 12 months to examine workplace trends and changes, and to pay homage to the events of 2013.

For ASTD, 2013 marked the 70th anniversary of the association. In this column, I spent the year looking back on the association's milestones that occurred during the past 70 years, especially the ones that had monumental impact on the profession.

But we thought we'd try something different for this year's trends article by looking at trends from a totally different way. The cover article is asking us to "think for ourselves" by re-examining certain "myths" in the industry to find the truth behind our current beliefs.

Pat Galagan, ASTD's editor-at-large, takes us on a journey through many of the workplace myths that have become commonplace in our minds, giving us data and facts to examine those beliefs. Are women truly making headway in gaining positions in the executive suite? Does an open workspace spur innovation?

You'll find the answers to these questions and others in Galagan's article—but before you turn to it, prepare your mind to think differently. Be ready to question current beliefs, change your way of thinking on certain ideas, and gain a new perspective on the "trends" in the workplace.

Paula Ketter

Editor, T+D

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