1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 1/14
OWNER'S MANUAL
100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your NextConference
Need to book a great speaker? Here's a comprehensive list of outstanding business
speakers--and business thinkers.
jeff_haden @
IMAGE: Getty Images
I do a number of speaking events every year, and people often ask me to recommendgreat speakers. (Hopefully that's not because they were less than thrilled by myperformance.)
Unfortunately, I haven't seen as many people speak as I would like, so my list ofsuggested speakers is fairly short.
BY JEFF HADEN
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 2/14
Fortunately, Kevin Kruse has seen a ton of speakers. A keynote speaker in his own right,and best-selling author of books on employee engagement and wholeheartedleadership, he's compiled a list of his favorite leadership speakers and trainers; mostKruse has seen in person, and he's also hired a number of them to speak at his ownevents.
(And he's also a humble guy; while he left himself off, he definitely belongs on any list ofgreat business speakers.)
Check out some of the following people the next time you need a great speaker. And ifyou're deciding whether to attend a particular event and one of them is on the program,drop everything and go. You'll be glad you did.
Here's Kruse's list (in alphabetical order):
Mike AbrashoffFounder of GLS WorldwideWebsite/blog: www.glsworld.com
Wendy AppelPartner at Center for Leadership StudiesTwitter: @WendyAppelWebsite/blog: www.wendyappel.com
Jurgen AppeloCEO at Happy MellyTwitter: @jurgenappeloWebsite/blog: www.jurgenappelo.com
Mark BabbittPresident of Switch and ShiftTwitter: @MarkSBabbittWebsite/blog: www.switchandshift.com
John BaldoniChair of leadership development at N2GrowthTwitter: @JohnBaldoniWebsite/blog: www.johnbaldoni.com
Dov BaronHost and executive producer at Full Monty Leadership RadioTwitter: @DovBaron
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 3/14
Website/blog: www.dovbaron.com
Ed BatistaLeadership coachTwitter: @edbatistaWebsite/blog: www.edbatista.com
Dan BlackLeadership writerTwitter: @dbonleadershipWebsite/blog: danblackonleadership.info
Ken BlanchardChief spiritual officer at The Ken Blanchard CompaniesTwitter: @kenblanchardWebsite/blog: www.kenblanchard.com
Aad BootManaging partner at HRS Business Transformation ServicesTwitter: @LeadershipWatchWebsite/blog: www.leadershipwatch-aadboot.com
Anthony BourkeFounder of Mach 2 ConsultingTwitter: @mach2consultingWebsite/blog: www.mach2consulting.com
Travis BradberryPresident at TalentSmartWebsite/blog: www.talentsmart.com
Richard BransonFounder of Virgin GroupTwitter: @richardbransonWebsite/blog: www.virgin.com/richard-branson
Peter BregmanFounder of Bregman PartnersTwitter: @peterbregmanWebsite/blog: www.peterbregman.com
Brené Brown
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 4/14
Professor at the University of HoustonTwitter: @BreneBrownWebsite/blog: www.brenebrown.com
Bob BurgFounder of Burg CommunicationsTwitter: @BobBurgWebsite/blog: www.burg.com
Evan CarmichaelFounder of Evan Carmichael Communications GroupTwitter: @EvanCarmichaelWebsite/blog: www.evancarmichael.com
Dorie ClarkCEO at Clark Strategic CommunicationsTwitter: @dorieclarkWebsite/blog: dorieclark.com
Gary CohenManaging partner at CO2 PartnersTwitter: @garybcohenWebsite/blog: www.co2partners.com
Ted CoineChairman and founder at Switch and ShiftTwitter: @tedcoineWebsite/blog: www.switchandshift.com
Eileen CollinsAstronaut and space shuttle commanderWebsite/blog: www.kepplerspeakers.com/speakers/?speaker=Colonel Eileen Collins
Douglas ConantCEO at ConantLeadershipTwitter: @DougConantWebsite/blog: www.conantleadership.com
Randy ConleyVP of client services at The Ken Blanchard CompaniesTwitter: @RandyConleyWebsite/blog: www.leadingwithtrust.com
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 5/14
Lolly DaskalPresident and founder of Lead From WithinTwitter: @LollyDaskalWebsite/blog: www.lollydaskal.com
Todd DewettPresident at TVA Inc.Twitter: @fuel4leadersWebsite/blog: www.drdewett.com
Brian DoddDirector of new ministry relationships for ISSTwitter: @BrianKDoddWebsite/blog: www.briandoddonleadership.com
S. Chris Edmonds
Founder of The Purposeful Culture Group Twitter: @scedmondsWebsite/blog: www.drivingresultsthroughculture.com
Kevin EikenberryChief potential officer at The Kevin Eikenberry GroupTwitter: @KevinEikenberryWebsite/blog: www.blog.kevineikenberry.com
Tim ElmoreFounder of Growing LeadersTwitter: @TimElmoreWebsite/blog: www.growingleaders.com
Steve FarberFounder of The Extreme Leadership InstituteTwitter: @stevefarberWebsite/blog: www.stevefarber.com
Mark FernandesChief leadership officer at The Luck CompaniesTwitter: @MarkSFernandesWebsite/blog: www.luckcompanies.com
John Foley
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 6/14
Blue Angels fighter pilotWebsite/blog: www.johnfoleyinc.com
BJ GallagherConsultant at Peacock ProductionsTwitter: @BJ_GallagherWebsite/blog: www.peacockproductions.com
Chery GegelmanPresident at Giana Consulting Twitter: @GianaConsultingWebsite/blog: www.consultgiana.com
Julie Winkle GiulioniPrincipal at DesignAroundsTwitter: @Julie_WGWebsite/blog: www.juliewinklegiulioni.com
Nina GodiwallaCEO at MindworksWebsite/blog: www.mindworkscorp.com
Marshall GoldsmithFounder of Marshall Goldsmith GroupTwitter: @coachgoldsmithWebsite/blog: www.marshallgoldsmithlibrary.com
Jon GordonPresident at The Jon Gordon CompaniesTwitter: @JonGordon11Website/blog: www.jongordon.com
Marla GottschalkDirector at Kilberry Leadership AdvisorsTwitter: @MRGottschalkWebsite/blog: www.marlagottschalk.wordpress.com
Matt HellerFounder of Performance Optimist ConsultingTwitter: @PrfrmnceOptmstWebsite/blog: www.performanceoptimist.com
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 7/14
Tony HsiehCEO at Zappos.comTwitter: @tonyhsiehWebsite/blog: www.deliveringhappiness.com
Gary HamelProfessor at London Business SchoolTwitter: @ProfHamelWebsite/blog: www.managementexchange.com
Karin HurtCEO of Let's Grow LeadersTwitter: @LetsGrowLeadersWebsite/blog: www.letsgrowleaders.com
Michael HyattCEO at Intentional LeadershipTwitter: @michaelhyattWebsite/blog: www.michaelhyatt.com
Rod JohnsonFounder of Growing Your LeadersWebsite/blog: www.growingyourleaders.com
Rosabeth Moss KanterProfessor at Harvard Business SchoolTwitter: @RosabethKanterWebsite/blog: www.hbswk.hbs.edu/faculty/rkanter.html
Mark KellyAstronaut and commander of Space Shuttle EndeavorTwitter: @shuttlecdrkellyWebsite/blog: www.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org/about/mark-kelly
John KotterFounder of Kotter InternationalWebsite/blog: www.kotterinternational.com
Jim KouzesAuthor of The Leadership ChallengeTwitter: @Jim_KouzesWebsite/blog: www.leadershipchallenge.com
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 8/14
Jeremie KubicekCo-founder of GiANTTwitter: @JeremieKubicekWebsite/blog: www.giantworldwide.com
Tim KupplerFounder of CultureUniversity.comTwitter: @TimKupplerWebsite/blog: www.cultureuniversity.com
Christina LattimerFounder of e.Mile People Development MagazineTwitter: @pdiscoveryukWebsite/blog: www.peoplediscovery.co.uk
Marc LawnCEO at Business GPTwitter: @businessgpWebsite/blog: www.thebusinessgp.com/home
Alison LevineEverest climber and authorTwitter: @Levine_AlisonWebsite/blog: www.alisonlevine.com
Glenn LlopisChairman at Glenn Llopis GroupTwitter: @GlennLlopisWebsite/blog: www.glennllopis.com
Tony LynchManaging director at Keep Thinking BigTwitter: @TheTL1Website/blog: www.keepthinkingbig.com
Mike MaddockCEO at Maddock DouglasTwitter: @theideamonkeyWebsite/blog: www.maddockdouglas.com
Paul MarcianoAuthor of Carrots and Sticks Don't Work
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 9/14
Twitter: @TheRespectGuyWebsite/blog: www.paulmarciano.com
Terence MauriCEO of CoachTwitter: @terencemauriWebsite/blog: www.terencemauri.com
John C. MaxwellFounder of The John Maxwell CompanyTwitter: @JohnCMaxwellWebsite/blog: www.johnmaxwell.com
Susan MazzaCEO at Clarus Consulting GroupTwitter: @SusanMazzaWebsite/blog: www.randomactsofleadership.com
Dan McCarthyFounder of Great Leadership Twitter: @greatleadershipWebsite/blog: www.greatleadershipbydan.com
Michael McKinneyFounder of M2 CommunicationsTwitter: @LeadershipNowWebsite/blog: www.leadershipnow.com
Jennifer V. MillerFounder of People Equation PressTwitter: @JenniferVMillerWebsite/blog: www.people-equation.com/about-jennifer
Mark MillerVP of training and development at Chick-fil-ATwitter: @LeadersServeWebsite/blog: www.greatleadersserve.com
Shawn MurphyCo-founder of Switch and ShiftTwitter: @shawmuWebsite/blog: www.switchandshift.com
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 10/14
Mike MyattChairman at N2GrowthTwitter: @mikemyattWebsite/blog: www.n2growth.com
Tanveer NaseerFounder of TanveerNaseer LeadershipTwitter: @TanveerNaseerWebsite/blog: www.tanveernaseer.com
Michael NicholsFounder of The GreenTree GroupTwitter: @MichaelENicholsWebsite/blog: www.michaelnichols.org
Jen OlneyDirector of business development at BeALeaderTwitter: @gingerconsultWebsite/blog: www.changeyourgamebealeader.com
Tom PetersProfessional agitator at Tom Peters CompanyTwitter: @tom_petersWebsite/blog: www.tompeters.com
Lisa PetrilliCOO and CMO at Vanda Twitter: @LisaPetrilliWebsite/blog: www.lisapetrilli.com
Thea Durfee PolancicExecutive director of Chicago chapter of @ConsciousCapTwitter: @tdpolancicWebsite/blog: www.clearspace.net
Alli PolinFounder and CEO of Break the FrameTwitter: @AlliPolinWebsite/blog: www.breaktheframe.com
Michael E. PorterProfessor at Harvard Business School
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 11/14
Twitter: @michaelEporterWebsite/blog: www.isc.hbs.edu/Pages/default.aspx
Barry PosnerProfessor at Santa Clara UniversityTwitter: @TLCTalkWebsite/blog: www.leadershipchallenge.com
Skip PrichardPresident and CEO at OCLCTwitter: @SkipPrichardWebsite/blog: www.skipprichard.com
Andrew RazeghiFounder of StrategyLabTwitter: @andrewrazeghiWebsite/blog: www.strategylab.com
Tony RichardsCEO of Clear Vision Development GroupTwitter: @tonyrichards4Website/blog: www.clearvisiondevelopment.com
Dan RockwellOwner of Leadership FreakTwitter: @LeadershipfreakWebsite/blog: www.leadershipfreak.wordpress.com
Steve RoeslerFounder and president of The Steve Roesler GroupTwitter: @steveroeslerWebsite/blog: www.steveroesler.com
Michael RogersBlogger at Teamwork and LeadershipTwitter: @secondgleaderWebsite/blog: www.teamworkandleadership.com
Stephen RossFounder of Now That's Leadership!Twitter: @RossLeadership
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 12/14
Mark SanbornPresident at Sanborn & AssociatesTwitter: @Mark_SanbornWebsite/blog: www.marksanborn.com
Chip ScholzFounder of Scholz and AssociatesTwitter: @chipscholzWebsite/blog: www.chipscholz.com
Tom SchulteExecutive director of Linked 2 LeadershipTwitter: @tomschulteWebsite/blog: www.linked2leadership.com
Robin SharmaFounder of Sharma Leadership International Twitter: @_robin_sharmaWebsite/blog: www.robinsharma.com
John SpenceManaging partner at John Spence LLCTwitter: @AwesomelySimpleWebsite/blog: www.johnspence.com
Jesse Lyn StonerDirector of strategic relations at Berrett-Koehler FoundationTwitter: @JesseLynStonerWebsite/blog: www.seapointcenter.com
James StrockFounder of Serve to LeadTwitter: @jamesstrockWebsite/blog: www.servetolead.org
Bob SuttonProfessor at StanfordTwitter: @work_mattersWebsite/blog: www.bobsutton.typepad.com
Marilyn TamFormer president at Reebok
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 13/14
Website/blog: www.marilyntam.com
Linda Fisher ThorntonCEO at Leading in ContextTwitter: @leadingincontxtWebsite/blog: www.leadingincontext.com
Gordon TredgoldCEO and founder of Leadership Principles Twitter: @GordonTredgoldWebsite/blog: www.leadership-principles.com/en
Art TurockFounder of Art Turock AssociatesTwitter: @TheArtTurockWebsite/blog: www.turock.com
Bobby UmarPresident at RaeallanTwitter: @raehanbobbyWebsite/blog: www.raeallan.com
Ekaterina WalterGlobal evangelist at SprinklrTwitter: @EkaterinaWebsite/blog: www.ekaterinawalter.com
Jack WelchExecutive chairman at Jack Welch Management InstituteTwitter: @jack_welchWebsite/blog: www.jackwelch.strayer.edu
Bob WhippleCEO of Leadergrow Twitter: @RwhippleWebsite/blog: www.leadergrow.com
Chris WidenerFounder of The Widener GroupTwitter: @ChrisWidenerWebsite/blog: www.chriswidener.com
1/19/2015 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference
http://www.inc.com/jeffhaden/100greatleadershipspeakersforyournextconference.html 14/14
Leslie WimesFounder of Women on the MoveTwitter: @WomenOnTheMove1Website/blog: www.mywomenonthemove.com
Liz WisemanFounder of The Wiseman GroupTwitter: @LizWisemanWebsite/blog: www.thewisemangroup.com
Orrin WoodwardChairman of Life LeadershipTwitter: @Orrin_WoodwardWebsite/blog: www.orrinwoodwardblog.com
LAST UPDATED: DEC 16, 2014