What a Learning Strategist Does Before Building Training with Allyson Roote of The Bonadio Group

Allyson Roote, VP, Learning and Organizational Development of The Bonadio Group, joins us to discuss why training shouldn’t be the default solution to every performance problem. After building Bonadio’s learning and development function from a team of one to a team of nine, Allyson shares why she starts with diagnosis, not design, and how that approach leads to more effective solutions.

She also explores how AI is making distinctly human skills even more valuable in L&D, and why adaptability and authenticity are among the most important workplace skills today. She closes by reflecting on the mentor whose approach continues to shape how she leads and develops her team.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Introduction: Why not every performance problem calls for training.

01:15 Scaling L&D at The Bonadio Group.

02:56 From psychology to L&D, sparked by an executive coach.

06:15 Why AI makes human judgment more valuable.

09:00 Why training can’t fix the wrong problem.

10:42 A mentor’s lesson: Know your worth before it’s recognized.

12:27 Why adaptability matters more than ever.

13:46 Authenticity, vulnerability, and Brené Brown’s leadership lessons.

16:39 Building curricula that speak the client’s language.

18:00 Two books for aspiring L&D leaders.

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RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Bonadio Group (the accounting and advisory firm where the L&D function grew from a team of one to nine)

Association for Talent Development (ATD) (a go-to resource for L&D industry news)

Training Industry (another regular industry resource for L&D news)

McKinsey & Company (cited as a source for foundational learning and business research)

AICPA & CIMA (followed to stay current on the accounting side of the work)

Accounting Today (an accounting industry publication read to understand the client's world)

Journal of Accountancy (another accounting publication followed to build credibility with clients)

International Coaching Federation (ICF) (the organization behind the ACC coaching certification earned along the way)

“The Trusted Learning Advisor” by Dr. Keith Keating (the team calls it “TLA” and gives a copy to every new hire)

“Hidden Value” by Dr. Keith Keating (the other recommended book, by the same author)

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