Beyond Training – An Introduction to Coaching Skills for L&D Professionals - Career Transition SIG (07/22/2026)

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Many professionals enter the Learning & Development (L&D) field assuming the job is primarilyabout designing e-learning, facilitating workshops, and creating content. But the reality is the most impactful L&D practitioners spend considerable time consulting with stakeholders, analyzing business needs, and helping managers solve employee challenges. This requires not just design skills—but also coaching skills.

In this interactive, one-hour virtual workshop, you will discover why coaching is one of the most valuable yet underutilized superpowers in L&D. You will learn how to shift from using a "fixer" mindset to a "curiosity" mindset, gain exposure to coaching best practices, and leave with practical skills you can start using immediately.

By the end of the session, you’ll:

Differentiate between coaching, mentoring, and consulting.

Recognize how coaching can transform your professional skills and L&D career progression.

Gain a practical introduction to the GROW coaching model.

Learn simple ways to integrate coaching skills into your current role.

About the Presenter

Lydia Wang is a leadership coach and Learning & Development professional with over 15 years of experience supporting individual and leadership development across a variety of industries and organizations. A Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, she has designed and facilitated leadership programs, coached leaders at different stages of their careers, and partnered with organizations to support learning, growth, and talent development. Lydia is passionate about helping people better understand themselves, develop their strengths, and lead with greater confidence and effectiveness.

About the Career Transition SIG

This SIG is a joint effort of the ATD-Orange County and ATD-Los Angeles Chapters and provides support and education to professionals making the exciting transition into the L&D field.

About Your Co-Leaders:

Kesha Thomas Clark is an experienced professional currently working to transition into the learning and development field. Recently, Kesha worked with UCLA’s Office of Undergraduate Admission and the Association for Talent Development—Orange County chapter to facilitate leadership workshops to executive staff and senior managers. Driven by a desire to help people, Kesha is interested in leveraging her unique experience in business and the nonprofit sector to create impactful strategies and learning experiences that support professional growth and organizational success.

James Oakley is an Instructional Designer and eLearning Developer who specializes in the electrical, engineering, and technical spaces. He started out his career as a High School English Teacher and then took his passion for education into adult learning. Most recently, James developed a comprehensive curriculum of eLearning and Instructor-Led training courses for Critical Facility Engineers in Meta Data Centers across the globe. In this space, James makes meaningful and results driven training experiences for Fortune 500 companies.

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

This program is worth 1 Professional Development point.

Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.

ATD Capability Model

Each ATD-OC Learning Event will be aligned to at least one Talent Development Capability, as identified by ATD National.

This program aligns with:

Building Personal Capability:

Developing Professional Capability:

Career and Leadership Development

Impacting Organizational Capability:

Disruption via technology will continue to be a reality for organizations and talent development functions. Talent development professionals must have the ability to identify, select, and implement the right learning and talent technologies that serve the best interests of the organization and its people. Practitioners should be able to identify opportunities to adapt and leverage the right technologies at the right time to meet organizational goals.

To find out more about the ATD Capability Model for the Training and Development Profession, visit http://tdcapability.org.

Photography and Video Waiver

By registering for this event, I do hereby give ATD Los Angeles and and its associates or assigns, or anyone acting under its authority or permission, the irrevocable and unrestricted right and permission to: capture the image, audio, and content via photograph, videotape, audiotape, transcription, or other means now available, copyright in its own name or otherwise, and use, reuse, publish, and republish any and all material of which I presented, or may have been included in presenting, in whole or in part. I consent to the use of all media now or hereafter known for illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising, trade, or any other purpose whatsoever. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product or products and the advertising copy or other matter that may be used in connection therewith or the use to which it may be applied. If I do not provide permission, I understand that I will not activate my web camera during virtual sessions.

REFUND/CANCELLATION: Please click here for cancellation and refund policies. We cannot guarantee that webinar/Zoom recordings will be available.

All ADA accommodations require a 21-day advanced notice by email to office@atdla.org (use Subject line: ADA Accommodations Request) so that we can reasonably search for and secure accommodations. ATD-LA cannot guarantee that accommodations can be reasonably secured with shorter notice. ATD-LA will cover costs for accommodations as required by law, for the published duration of the event only.

ATD-Los Angeles upcoming events

Beyond Training – An Introduction to Coaching Skills for L&D Professionals - Career Transition SIG (07/22/2026)

Earn Professional Professional Development Points

This program is worth 1 Professional Development point.

Find out more about APTD/CPTD Certifications here.