Podcast Summary: Driving Strategic Business Value Through L&D with
Dr. Keith Keating of BDO Canada
Dr. Keith Keating doesn’t just work in Learning and Development—he’s a powerful advocate for its potential to transform lives. In this episode, we got a deep look into the journey, perspective, and upcoming book of the Chief Learning and Development Officer at BDO Canada. From high school dropout to doctoral advisor, keynote speaker, and now author of Hidden Value: How to Reveal the Impact of Organizational Learning, Keith brings passion, insight, and strategy to everything he touches.
From Flipping Burgers to Finding Purpose
Keith’s story is refreshingly honest. He didn’t set out to join the world of L&D, he stumbled into it. As a high school dropout scanning the newspaper (yes, the print version) for job ads, he applied for a Microsoft Office trainer role thinking, “How hard could it be?” Spoiler: it was hard. But six months in, something clicked.
While helping someone in an Excel session, he saw their eyes light up. That moment changed everything. It was the first time he realized that he was helping someone, and that he had value. That job turned into a career, and that career became a calling. Keith taught himself to learn, then turned around and taught others. That experience still drives him today.
His motto? “Learning changes lives.” He even keeps a Post-it note on his laptop to remind him of it.
The Message Behind Hidden Value
The Message Behind Hidden Value
Keith’s upcoming book, Hidden Value, digs deep into how L&D professionals can amplify, not just defend, their impact. He argues that we’re no longer in a knowledge economy or even a skills economy, we’re in a value economy. Knowledge alone isn’t enough; the differentiator now is how we use tools like AI, collaboration, and creativity to create value.
In his words: “Imagine a future where L&D professionals aren’t seen as order-takers, but as value creators.” That’s the world Hidden Value aims to prepare us for.
Unlike other books that fixate on measurement models, Keith’s book takes a step back and looks at the bigger picture. Yes, he addresses ROI, Kirkpatrick, and other models, but he doesn’t stop there. He offers the Value Creation Compass, a framework that helps L&D practitioners align their work with what the business actually values.
What’s the compass point north? Empowering people. But it also includes business priorities like customer impact and operational efficiency, areas L&D professionals often forget to highlight.
Making People Care
A standout theme from Keith’s message is storytelling. In his doctoral research, Keith interviewed CFOs to learn how they determine the value of various departments. What he discovered was enlightening: many finance leaders don’t want a spreadsheet, they want a story.
“If you want me to care,” one CFO told him, “Make me care.” Storytelling, Keith says, is how you get people to care. Instead of overwhelming leaders with data, tell the story of the employees who were promoted, the processes improved, and the behaviors changed.
Overcoming the “Yes, But…”
Ever heard an L&D leader say, “Yes, but that wouldn’t work here”? Keith devotes an entire chapter to conquering these common obstacles. He anticipates the internal objections and systematically breaks down the barriers. One powerful reminder: success in L&D depends heavily on your organization’s culture and learning maturity. There’s no silver bullet, and that’s okay.
He also acknowledges that even seasoned leaders still face setbacks. Some days he’s treated like a CLO; other days, like an order taker. It’s how we respond, adapt, and keep advocating for value that makes the difference.
A Glimpse into the Future
Keith is not a fan of the term “future-proof.” Instead, he champions “future-prepared.” Looking ahead, he sees two key shifts:
- The Value Economy: Every initiative must align with business outcomes. L&D’s job is to create and communicate value, plain and simple.
- The Death of the L&D Label: Keith believes the traditional boundaries of L&D are dissolving. “I’m not just a learning professional,” he says. “I’m a problem solver who uses learning as one of my tools.” And that mindset shift is what will keep the profession relevant, regardless of job titles or organizational charts.
The Most Recommended Books
Keith’s first book, The Trusted Learning Advisor, is already a favorite among learning leaders. Hidden Value builds on that foundation. Where Trusted Learning Advisor is about becoming a strategic partner, Hidden Value is about making that strategy visible and meaningful to the business.
Where to Catch Him
Keith is hitting the road to share the message of Hidden Value. You can catch him at the ATD Atlanta ACE event on August 14th, in Dallas in November for TrainingPros’ annual executive breakfast, and he’s a keynote speaker at DevLearn this year.
If you can’t make those, he also offers in-house keynotes and workshops for organizations ready to level up.
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