Brief description of your role:
I run a team of people around the world who help individuals, teams and organisations build better relationships with their customers and clients.
1. Why did you become a learning and development professional?
Because I found myself in a technical role at the age of 22. I hated the role and was awful at it, but I loved the organisation. So I moved into professional development.
2. What do you enjoy most about your role?
Seeing the light go off in participant eyes, and making a real difference to their enjoyment of their job and their skill at doing it. I also enjoy helping my team put food on the table. I also like seeing my book on the shelves in stores around the world - gives me goose bumps.
3. What do you find most challenging?
Getting organisations to follow up on the learning intervention and give it all the support it needs.
4. What do you do to be recognised as a valued business partner?
Finding out the root cause to the symptom the client or customer is aware of, and the addressing the root cause.
5. What is the best advice that you would give to someone new to this line of work?
Be honest and don't compromise your beliefs. Focus on the business outcome, then the personal outcome and then make sure the best person possible helps the client or customer - even if that is not you.
6. What's the best advice that's been given to you that has helped you in your career?
From a CEO in Singapore many many years ago. Dont answer the question I ask, find out why I asked the question.
7. What's the best career help book that you've ever read?
Mine of course...... Actually not sure it is career related specifically but "Good to Great" by Jim Collins grasps the key elements of individual and organisational leadership in a compelling way.
8. What's the best event within the training community that you've ever attended?
Probably Think on Your Feet in Hong Kong in 1994. Scared me to death and changed my professional life.
9. Who do you think is the most inspirational member of the training community and have you ever met them?
Hmmm. I am still looking to be honest. Business people who inspire me to assist with learning - Richard Branson. And yes I did meet him albeit I probably remember the event more than he does.
10. What else would you like to share with our readers?
There has to be a personal or business outcome that you are aiming for. Start there in your mindset. Dont think of what you do as training - if what you do addresses no business or personal need then don't do it. You will not enjoy it and your client or customer will not appreciate you for it.
Read some articles by Keith
