Workplace performance isn’t just L&D’s responsibility; it belongs to the whole company. 

And yet, many HR and learning teams still treat training as a standalone solution. 

In this episode, Kevin Yates joins Karina Young to reframe how we think about impact, and why the question isn’t just “Did people complete the program?” but “Did anything change as a result?”

Kevin, known across the industry as the “L&D Detective,” shares what he’s learned from nearly 30 years in the field and why measuring outcomes requires more than a survey or LMS report. He explains how to shift from reporting activity to proving contribution, and why L&D must be embedded in a broader performance ecosystem to make a meaningful difference.

Together, they explore what most organizations overlook: how business goals get lost in translation, how legacy habits still shape how programs are designed, and how measurement can become a strategic advantage, not just a reporting requirement. Kevin also offers a practical lens for partnering across functions and building internal alignment around shared outcomes.

For HR and L&D leaders navigating increasing pressure to deliver results, it’s a timely reminder: meaningful change doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes a village.

Join us as we discuss:

(00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Kevin Yates

(02:38) How the L&D Detective name came about

(04:37) Discovering the passion for measurement in L&D

(07:47) Aligning training with business goals

(09:31) Breaking legacy habits in L&D practices

(10:56) Shifting from order-taker to performance consultant

(12:56) The workplace performance ecosystem and its importance

(16:30) Why L&D can't succeed alone in impacting business goals

(21:00) Operationalizing the measurement of L&D’s impact

(23:28) Activity metrics vs. true performance impact

(32:05) Leveraging AI tools to enhance L&D performance measurement

 

Resources:

For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player.

Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ 

Download 15Five’s Performance Review Playbook:

https://www.15five.com/ebook/review-process-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Performance

For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Kevin Yates’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/