How Leaders Embracing Vulnerability - The Keynote Curators

February 7, 2025

Struggling to create an open, transparent atmosphere within your teams? Trust might not be the issue—yet, a lingering sense of guardedness and disconnection persists. What’s missing could be surprisingly simple: vulnerability.

Leadership and ethics keynote speaker Rashmi Airan—an inspirational storyteller, ethics expert, and leadership consultant—believes that vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a foundation for trust, resilience, and success. When leaders and teams lean into being more open, they unlock deeper relationships, authentic communication, and a culture of growth.

Why Vulnerability is the Key to Stronger Teams and Leadership

Many teams crumble because 25% of their members remain guarded, hesitant to open up. The fear of judgment or failure holds them back, creating invisible barriers to true collaboration. Rashmi Airan teaches that embracing vulnerability builds stronger, more connected teams by fostering authenticity, accountability, and trust.

Vulnerability in leadership isn’t about oversharing or exposing weaknesses—it’s about demonstrating courage, honesty, and emotional intelligence. Leaders who open up themselves inspire others to do the same, leading to a more engaged, innovative, and resilient workforce.

The Core Principles of Vulnerability in Leadership

Rashmi’s work highlights four essential principles for cultivating openness as a strength in leadership and teamwork:

1. Create Safe Spaces for Openness

A team cannot thrive if its members don’t feel comfortable sharing their struggles, challenges, and aspirations. Leaders must cultivate an environment where individuals feel psychologically safe—where their voices are valued and their experiences acknowledged without fear of ridicule or retribution.

Leaders can foster this culture by:

Encouraging open, judgment-free conversations.
Actively listening and responding with empathy.
Establishing norms where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.
Implementing team-building exercises that encourage openness.

2. Lead By Example

Vulnerability starts at the top. When leaders model authenticity—acknowledging failures, uncertainties, and personal experiences—they give permission for others to do the same. Rashmi emphasizes that true leadership is about being real, not perfect.

By sharing their own challenges, leaders demonstrate that setbacks are part of the journey. This not only humanizes them but also creates deeper bonds with their teams, encouraging a culture of honesty and resilience.

3. Reinforce It Over Time

Vulnerability is not a one-time act—it’s an ongoing cultural shift that requires consistency. A single moment of openness won’t transform a team; rather, it’s the repeated practice of trust-building conversations and behaviors that create long-term impact, with actions such as:

Hold regular team check-ins that encourage sharing.
Recognize and appreciate honesty within the team.
Provide support and mentorship when team members express struggles.
Use storytelling sessions where leaders and employees share experiences of personal and professional growth.

4. Trust the Process: Vulnerability Takes Time

Trust and connection don’t happen overnight. Just as Leonardo da Vinci took four years to paint The Last Supper, true cultural change within a team takes patience and persistence. Building a a sense of trust requires leaders and team members to commit to the journey—understanding that real transformation happens through consistent, intentional efforts.

The Link Between Vulnerability and Success

When we think of successful leaders, we often picture confidence, decisiveness, and strategic thinking. However, some of the greatest leaders—such as Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, and Oprah Winfrey—attribute their impact to vulnerability, empathy, and transparency.

A Harvard Business Review study found that leaders who open up themselves more create higher engagement, better collaboration, and increased innovation. When employees see that their leaders are authentic and relatable, they feel more inspired and connected to the organization’s mission.

Rashmi Airan’s Personal Journey: From Loss to Freedom

Rashmi Airan’s own life experience is a testament to the power of vulnerability. Having faced public adversity and personal setbacks, she embraced transparency, owned her story, and used it as a tool for growth and transformation.

Rather than letting shame or fear define her, Rashmi leaned into honesty, self-awareness, and resilience. Her journey illustrates that when we stop hiding behind a façade and instead embrace our struggles, we gain clarity, strength, and deeper connections.

Her message is clear: vulnerability is a source of power, not weakness. By opening up about her own story, she has empowered countless leaders, professionals, and teams to do the same, fostering cultures of trust and accountability.

The Transformative Impact of Vulnerability in Teams

When vulnerability becomes embedded in a team’s culture, the benefits are profound:

Stronger Collaboration: Team members communicate openly, share ideas, and support each other.
Higher Engagement: Employees feel seen, heard, and valued, leading to increased motivation.
Better Problem-Solving: Innovation thrives when individuals aren’t afraid to take risks or suggest new approaches.
Resilience and Adaptability: A culture of openness helps teams navigate challenges with unity and trust.

Take the First Step Toward a More Transparent, Resilient Team

Embracing vulnerability isn’t just a personal growth strategy—it’s a leadership imperative that leads to more connected, high-performing teams. Are you ready to take the first step?

? Watch the full interview with Rashmi Airan: Click here
? Hire leadership keynote speaker Rashmi Airan for your next event
? Transform your team today! Schedule a call: Book a meeting
✉️ Let’s talk! Email us today.

By embracing vulnerability, you’re not just transforming your leadership—you’re creating a culture of trust, empowerment, and success.

Creating a Loyal & Unified Team That Thrives Together

Top Event Trends for 2025 You MUST KNOW

Discover More Insights

Resilience Lessons From an NFL Player Who Turned Life...
January 8, 2026

The Top 3 Keynote Speaker Trends That Will Define...
January 6, 2026

How Pros Stay Steady To Engage & Interact With...
January 5, 2026

The One Life Question That Separates Victims From Victors
December 19, 2025

Insights from Ross Bernstein on What Champions Do When...
December 18, 2025

7 Year-End Lessons From Keynote Speaker Every Event Planner...
December 16, 2025

The Event Budget Mistake Most Planners Make
December 15, 2025

The ProcessHow to Access Your Ideal Speaker

Schedule a Call
Book a brief consultation to start.
Connect
We discuss your event goals deeply.
Curate & Match
We handpick the best fits for you.
Book Speaker
Contracts handled seamlessly.
Wow Audience
Deliver an unforgettable experience.

About The AgencyWe Don't Just "Push" Speakers. We Deliver Impact.

“Our philosophy is simple: Consult. Curate. Deliver. We dive deep into your organization’s needs to find the perfect voice that aligns with your mission.”

- Seth Dechtman, Founder

Let's Find Your Speaker

Fill out the details below and our team will be in touch within 24 hours.

Instagram
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.
A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.
First Name*
Last Name*
Company*
Event Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Email*
Phone
Description
Opt In
- Click here to receive further emails and communications from us at The Keynote Curators. You can unsubscribe anytime.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Opp Num
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Type
This field is hidden when viewing the form
rc
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Speaker Name
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Selected Speakers Names
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Selected Speakers IDs

15+

Years of Experience

5k+

Successful Events Booked

150+

Companies Served

MultimediaLatest From Our Studio

View YouTube Channel

Ever notice how the best leaders aren't the ones constantly pushing and controlling? There's actual research on this: 55% of employees say they'd rather have consistent gratitude from their manager than a pay raise. Wild, right?

Chris Schembra @chrisschembra3473 gets it. He wrote the Wall Street Journal bestseller "Gratitude Through Hard Times" and created the 7:47 Gratitude Experience, working with teams at Google, Microsoft, IBM, and the U.S. Navy to fight the loneliness epidemic hitting 51% of American workers. His whole thing? Teaching leaders to let go of the need to fix everything and instead just help things go right.

Most of us were taught that leadership means having all the answers and keeping everything under control. However, Chris flips that completely. Sometimes the strongest move is stepping back, listening, and letting your team breathe. Here's what he's learned:

• Accept what you can't change: Stop forcing behaviors or trying to fix people. They're humans, not problems to solve, so focus on connecting instead of correcting.
• Ask better questions: Curiosity beats directives every time. Good questions show you actually value what your team thinks, and that builds trust without micromanaging.
• Give when everyone else takes: The world rewards short-term thinking and hustle culture. Be different. Show up with real presence and put your people's well-being first.
• Slow down on purpose: Create moments to pause. Your team will notice when you consistently choose gratitude over the grind, and it changes how they show up, too.

Choosing gratitude over money isn't a weakness: it's what we all actually need. When you practice this kind of leadership, you're not losing control. Instead, you're building trust, loyalty, and a team that genuinely wants to be there.

What would change in your workplace if leaders led with gratitude first? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

🎬 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/c-GouSP0X8I
🎤 Hire gratitude and leadership keynote speaker Chris Schembra for your next event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-chris-schembra/
📅 Want to discuss building a gratitude-centered culture? Schedule a time: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
✉️ Have questions? Email me: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 The Difference Between Managing and Leading
01:15 Why 55% Choose Gratitude Over Raises
02:04 What Chosen Surrender Really Means
03:30 Choosing to Give When the World Takes

"Through hard times, 55% of respondents prefer receiving more consistent actions of gratitude from their direct superior over a raise or a promotion." — Chris Schembra
"Being a leader today requires the courage to do the opposite. It's to choose to be a giver. It's to choose to think about the long-term well-being of your people. It's to choose to show up with radical presence, helping people slow down and just be more human." — Chris Schembra

#GratitudeLeadership #ChosenSurrender #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS4wOUExQjQ1QTZENTBBRjdE

Why Top Performers Choose Gratitude Over Money

🤚 Raise your hand if you ever felt burnout while drowning in a sea of "shoulds"... Should respond to that email. Should say yes to that request. Should make everyone happy while somehow also making magic happen.

Shelley Paxton gets it. She's worked with event planning organizations that are juggling impossible expectations while trying to create meaningful experiences. The secret to surviving burnout (and thriving in this industry)? Permission slips.

Yes, you read that right. Simple orange Post-it notes that ask one question: What do I need permission to do, not do, or feel today?

✍️ This isn't cute self-help fluff. One organization partnered with 3M to create custom templates because this practice transformed entire teams!

Here's how to break free from should-prison:

• Write daily permission slips—they're your escape hatch from guilt and overwhelm
• Choose pause over push when your gut says to stop grinding
• Set boundaries that protect your energy for what actually matters
• Pick your values over other people's approval when making decisions

Event planning doesn't have to mean sacrificing your sanity. When you give yourself permission to be human while creating extraordinary experiences, both you and your attendees feel the difference.

🎬 See the full burnout prevention system: https://youtu.be/sWewAHGnxCU
🏆 Bring this empowering message to your event team: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-shelley-paxton/
📋 Design your team's permission strategy: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
📨 Get support for your planning team: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 Why Event Planners Need Permission
01:11 Breaking the Shackles of Should
02:02 The Orange Post-it Note System
03:32 From Individual Tool to Team Transformation

"A lot of us are stuck, are trapped by the shackles of should, so you know the, well, I should do that because if I don't do it, no one else is going to do it." — Shelley Paxton

"What do I need to give myself permission to do, not do, and or feel, in order to show up as my most badass or my most powerful self?" — Shelley Paxton

#EventPlanners #BurnoutPrevention #MeetingProfessionals #WorkplaceWellness #EventIndustry

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS41QkQ1MDFGQjMwMEU0MjND

How Event Planners Can Prevent Burnout

How to give yourself permission to quit and still keep going in your journey?

Sounds impossible, but that's exactly what Tez Steinberg did during two solo ocean rowing expeditions. Tez completed two world-first solo ocean rowing expeditions, spending 197 days alone at sea.

He's the only person to solo row from California to Hawaii without rowing experience, and he's also the only one to row solo nonstop from Hawaii to Australia. When storms hit, when equipment failed, and when he desperately wanted to be rescued, he told himself he could quit—"just not today."

His expeditions are basically metaphors for what we all go through. Managing a huge event, leading a team through crisis, or just surviving a brutal week—we all have moments where we want to quit. During his journey at sea, Tez hit multiple breaking points, including equipment failures he didn't think he could fix and exhaustion that felt insurmountable. But here's the thing about rowing across an ocean: there's no elegant exit strategy. So he developed a framework anyone can use—acknowledge the part that wants to quit, recognize it's normal, then ask if you can hold on one more day.

Here's how you can use this in your journey—especially when you feel you want to give up:

• Give yourself permission to feel your frustrations—this honors the part of you that's struggling without making a permanent decision in a crisis moment
• Don't shame the part that wants to give up—wanting to quit when things are hard is normal, and self-compassion actually builds resilience
• Look for possibilities in one more day—instead of committing to the entire journey, just ask if tomorrow might be easier or if you might recover overnight
• Say it out loud—verbalizing "I can quit, but not today" engages a different part of your brain and helps you see options you couldn't see before

Security breakdowns, last-minute disasters, equipment failures, team conflicts—these are your waves washing overboard. Tez Steinberg shares strategies for surviving these storms without pretending to be superhuman—just human, honest about the difficulty, and open to tomorrow being better.

🎬 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/T1-UN8Kq7K0
⚡ Book motivational speaker Tez Steinberg for your next event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-tez-steinberg/
📞 Need resilience strategies for your team? Let's connect: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
💬 Reach out anytime: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 When You Desperately Want to Quit
02:05 Why There's No Elegant Exit at Sea
02:50 The Sweet Little White Lie That Works
03:32 Giving Permission Without Shaming Yourself

"What helped me get through some of these hardest moments where I desperately wanted to be anywhere else, was giving myself permission to quit, but not today. (...) On the one hand, giving myself permission to quit would acknowledge the part of myself that needed to be acknowledged and affirmed and saying, yeah, what you're doing is really hard." — Tez Steinberg

"I can quit, but not today. And that line was really valuable for me, and I would actually repeat it out loud. I can quit, but not today. And it helps me look out at the ocean and see a way through the treacherous seas and see a little bit more possibility." — Tez Steinberg

#NeverGiveUp #Motivation #TezSteinberg #Resilience #KeepGoing

---

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS41RDlDNjkxMDgxRTI5QUJB

Keep Going in Your Journey, Even When You Want to Quit

Keynote speaker John O'Leary learned hard lessons about resilience early on in life. He survived a fire that burned 100% of his body when he was 9 years old and spent five months in the hospital, going through surgeries and amputations.

Now, this first night home from the hospital should be one of celebration, right? With no fingers and bandages everywhere, you'd think everyone would do everything for him.

... Until his mom put dinner in front of him and walked out of the room.

She made him feed himself. It took two and a half hours.

He cried. She cried in the hallway. But she didn't come back in to help.

That dinner changed his life. Not because it was easy—because it was brutal, and his mom believed he could do it anyway. As his main caregiver, she knew the difference between helping someone who needs assistance and enabling someone who needs to build resilience and grow on their own.

Here's what she taught him about real independence:

• Set the vision for what's possible—not what's comfortable, but what they're actually capable of
• Stay present through the struggle—don't rescue them, but don't leave them alone either
• Let failure teach—tears and frustration build strength and resilience you can't give someone
• Celebrate their victory—when they succeed, it's theirs to own

That dinner wasn't just about using a fork: it was about his mom seeing a future version of John that he couldn't see yet. She stayed close but didn't step in.

Today, John travels the world, lives independently, wrote bestsellers "On Fire" and "In Awe," and speaks to audiences everywhere. All because his mom loved him enough to let him struggle and build strength on his own.

If you lead a team, raise kids, or care about anyone's growth, this changes how you think about motivation and how it could help them develop resilience.

🍽️ Watch the complete interview here: https://youtu.be/dlQrpCvWW0I
💪 Hire resilience keynote speaker John O'Leary for your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-john-oleary/
📅 Want to talk about tough love leadership? Book a call: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
✍️ Get in touch: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 The First Family Dinner After the Hospital
01:23 When a Mother's Love Looks Like Cruelty
02:40 The Two-and-a-Half-Hour Struggle That Built Independence

"Love is not about doing the easy thing. It's not about snowplowing the road to say, Hey guys, it's gonna be easy. Follow me. Sometimes love is about letting them fail forward and causing tears, and then leaving the room, crying yourself, wiping those tears, and coming back in." — John O'Leary
"She cast a vision of what was possible, not what was easy. There's a difference." — John O'Leary

#Motivation #ToughLove #Resilience #Leadership #Empowerment

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS45MDQ2MjlBRTY2REU1QjNF

Help Other People Build Resilience by Doing THIS

Sometimes the audience doesn't laugh when you expect them to. Sometimes they're way quieter than usual. Sometimes the energy feels completely off from what you planned.

Here's what keynote speaker and emcee Scott Bloom learned after 20 years and thousands of corporate audiences: don't panic. From comedy clubs to C-suites, Scott has seen every possible room dynamic you can imagine. The biggest lesson isn't about technique or perfect timing - it's about trusting yourself when the audience reaction doesn't match your expectations.

Those moments when you're thinking "this isn't working" might just be completely in your head. Here's what keeps Scott steady:

• Don't judge your performance based on one person's reaction or by comparing it to other events
• Trust your content and delivery even when the energy feels totally different
• Have versatile material ready so you can adapt without losing confidence
• Balance reading the room with trusting your professional experience

Every speaker faces those moments of doubt right in the middle of their presentation. Scott's stories from the trenches show you exactly how to trust your experience and handle them like a pro instead of letting them completely throw you off your game.

Because sometimes the audiences that seem the toughest end up being the ones who need exactly what you brought to the stage.

🎥 Watch the complete discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSEw1ukc8tc
🎯 Hire emcee and comedy keynote speaker Scott Bloom for reliable event expertise: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-scott-bloom/
🗣️ Need speaker guidance for your event? https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
💬 Let's discuss your speaking needs: info@thekeynotecurators.com

🎧 I also joined Scott Bloom on his podcast No More Bad Events. Give it a listen: https://nomorebadevents.com/episodes/consult-curate-and-deliver-ft-seth-dechtman-president-the-keynote-curators-C5wHGNuK

00:00 When Live Events Throw Unexpected Curveballs
00:36 How Professional Emcees Handle the Unexpected at Events
02:05 Why Silence Doesn’t Mean Failure
03:20 The Quantum Paradox Of Audience Energy
05:37 Trusting Your Material When The Audience is Silent
07:32 Why Quiet Audiences Don't Always Mean Poor Engagement

"This is a live show. Anything can happen. Somebody doesn't show up backstage, and that's where I have to sort of go out there and vamp for a little while. I have a lot of material, I have a lot of common material, so I could always jump into something." — Scott Bloom
"You could be reading the room and not relying on the room. So I know what's going on, but I'm not gonna determine whether I'm doing well based on how they're feeling." — Scott Bloom

#LiveEvents #SpeakerTraining #AudienceReading #EventManagement #ProfessionalSpeaking

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS4zRjM0RTdEOTkwRDI5MDFG

The Most Common Mistake You Are Likely Making with Your Audience

John O'Leary was just a kid when his life changed forever. He's got burned on 100% of his body, and doctors gave him less than a 1% chance to survive. Months later, he was back home with no fingers and covered in scars, and he was angry. Why did this happen to him?

His dad sat on the edge of his bed and asked a different question: "Why not you?"

That conversation changed everything. Not because it magically fixed anything, but because it forced John to choose who he'd want to be in life: victim or victor.

Here's what his dad taught him that night—a framework anyone can use when life punches you in the face:

• Name the moment you're in—don't pretend it's not hard, don't sugarcoat the pain
• Flip the question—instead of "Why me?" ask "Why not me?"—everyone struggles with something
• Choose your identity every morning—wake up and decide who you're going to be that day
• Find people who challenge you—not just comfort you, but push you to be better

John's dad passed away recently. But that bedroom conversation still guides him every single day. Today, John's a bestselling author who speaks to tens of thousands at over 100 events every year. He also hosts the Live Inspired Podcast, which has over 7 million downloads. His story's becoming a feature film in 2025.

The victim-or-victor choice? It's yours. Every day. Whether you're dealing with a health crisis, career setback, or just the weight of daily life wearing you down, you get to choose your response.

🙏 Watch the full conversation to hear how John turned his father's wisdom into a life of purpose: https://youtu.be/dlQrpCvWW0I
🎯 Book motivational speaker John O'Leary for your next event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-john-oleary/
📞 Let's discuss bringing inspiration to your team: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
💬 Questions? Reach out: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 Are You Born Optimistic or Do You Choose It?
01:00 The Night John's Father Asked: Victim or Victor?
02:45 How Daily Choices Shape Your Life's Direction

"My sweet father, who is my hero in life, shuts the bedroom door, comes back over to me, puts his hands on my legs, looks me in the eye, and says, 'John, darn it, why not you?'" — John O'Leary

"Victim or Victor, your choice, not mine." — John O'Leary (quoting his Father)

#Motivation #Positivity #Resilience #JohnOLeary #OvercomingAdversity

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS4wMTdGNzg0NjM1RjQ5OEM3

The Question that Will Transform Your Life Forever

Before you let AI do your thinking, ask yourself this question: Is this making me smarter or making me lazy?

Technology keynote speaker Theresa Payton has been in tech long enough to see every "revolutionary" tool that was supposed to change everything. As the former White House CIO and current AI entrepreneur, she's not anti-technology—she's just pro-human-brain.

Here's her reality check: AI isn't the problem. It's how we're using it. Furthermore, you need to ask yourself—are you using it like a really smart research assistant, or are you using it like a replacement for your own thinking? Because one builds you up and the other breaks you down.

Think about it for a moment—when GPS does all your navigation, you lose your sense of direction. Similarly, when spell-check handles everything, your writing skills get rusty. The same thing happens when AI does your reasoning for you.

The professionals winning with AI aren't the ones using it for everything—they're the ones who know when NOT to use it.

Here's how to use AI without losing yourself:

• Ask yourself: Is this tool enhancing my skills or replacing them?
• Set boundaries—decide what thinking you'll always do yourself
• Practice without AI regularly—keep your reasoning muscles strong
• Choose AI that teaches while it helps, not just gives you answers

The goal of AI tools should be to enhance rather than replace human thinking and reasoning skills. Ultimately, the future belongs to people who can think critically AND leverage AI strategically. Not people who handed their brains over to machines.

What's one thing you'll never let AI do for you? Drop it in the comments—I'm curious where everyone draws their lines.

🧠 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/7Dm-rF6eMrA
🎯 Hire AI strategy expert Theresa Payton for your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-theresa-payton/
🔍 Need help with AI governance strategies? Let's connect: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
📩 Questions about AI boundaries? Email: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 The Right Questions to Ask Before Using AI
01:17 When AI Becomes a Crutch Instead of a Tool
02:26 Governance and Guardrails for AI Adoption
04:08 Protecting Critical Thinking in an AI World

"Ask yourself a question. And you know, the question is, if I were to leverage the technology at work or at home how could it improve things and why would I use it? And why would it be better than doing what I'm doing today?" — Theresa Payton

"The line's gonna be different for everybody. But you said something really important, which is. You're doing these voice memos. So you take what's in your head, you're putting them into voice memo format, and you're using the technology to help you just get those voice memos organized." — Theresa Payton

#AI #Technology #CriticalThinking #Productivity #Tech #Leadership

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS45RDQ2MDcyMjdGMzM3NzM3

Why You Should THINK & Set Boundaries Before Using AI Tools

Greatness requires more than one person's actions. Tez Steinberg knows this first-hand: he spent over six months alone on the Pacific Ocean and became the only person to solo row from California to Hawaii with no rowing experience.

Here's something paradoxical about his story: Tez noticed a pattern in his life where he'd blame others when things didn't work out. So he got in a boat alone—by choice—where there was literally nobody else to blame. The ultimate accountability, with nobody else to point fingers at, right?

However, while he was out there rowing, something else emerged: he also discovered that achieving anything audacious actually requires a team working toward something bigger than any one person.

Both things are true, and that changes how we think about leadership and achieving greatness. When he shared a mission bigger than just his personal achievement—raising funds for ocean plastic and scholarships—a team naturally formed around him.

What this teaches us:

• Get comfortable with yourself first—before you can work well with others, understand your own patterns and how you respond to challenges
• Own your choices completely—eliminate the reflex to blame by taking full accountability, even when things get hard
• Share a purpose bigger than yourself—don't try to recruit people to your personal goal; communicate a mission that resonates beyond you, and support will show up
• Set a goal that requires you to grow—choose something so audacious you have to become a different person, and that growth attracts the right people

Planning a massive event? Launching something that feels impossible? The full interview dives into how Tez led a distributed team while spending 197 days alone, and it shows why personal accountability and collective support aren't opposites.

🌊 Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/T1-UN8Kq7K0
🚀 Bring purpose-driven speaker Tez Steinberg to your event: https://thekeynotecurators.com/speaker/book-tez-steinberg/
📅 Let's design a leadership experience for your team: https://calendly.com/thekeynotecurators/15minthekeynotecurators
✉️ Get in touch: info@thekeynotecurators.com

00:00 Why Greatness Needs More Than One Person
01:31 Getting Comfortable With Your Own Company
02:21 The Accountability Experiment at Sea
03:49 How Purpose Builds Your Team Naturally
04:52 Set a Goal So Big You Grow Into It

"What I found is it wasn't so much an issue of recruiting a team as much as sharing what I'm up to, and a team formed around me. And so when it comes to this dynamic, this interpersonal dynamic, and how we lead ourselves and lead others, for me, a big part of it is having a purpose that's a little larger than yourself, and that will create naturally a team that helps you in this very audacious goal of yours." — Tez Steinberg

"Set a goal so big, you have to grow into the person who can achieve it." — Tez Steinberg

#Greatness #Purpose #TezSteinberg #Leadership #TeamBuilding

---

Bringing people together to exchange ideas and hear from thought leaders who educate and inspire is what you do best. Curating the world's most impactful speakers for events is where we shine.

For two decades, The Keynote Curators has worked with event and conference planners to guarantee they hit a home run when it comes to the main stage. As your trusted partner, we listen carefully to event objectives and go to work quickly, accessing the industry's largest network of speakers so that you have the most compelling speakers to choose from. We provide insight, offer advice throughout the decision-making process, and take care of every detail once the right speaker is selected, ensuring your event is unique, memorable, and goes off without a hitch.

Find out for yourself why planners choose The Keynote Curators to deliver results and make planning a breeze. Contact our office today.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://thekeynotecurators.com/
CONNECT WITH US: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2883493/

Our breadth of expertise expands into and beyond the following sectors and topics:

SAMPLING of SECTORS SERVED:
Finance, Healthcare, Technology, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Business, Manufacturing, Human Resources, and more.

TOPIC SAMPLING:
Disruption, Innovation, Social Media, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Overcoming Obstacles, Economic Forecasts, Future Trends, Inspiration/Motivations, Customer Experience, Mindfulness, Women in Business, International Affairs, ESG, Corporate Culture, Peak Performance, Empowerment, Environmental Policy, Social Justice and many more.

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS4xMTREODNEQkFEMTQwNjg4

Why Greatness Requires More than Just Putting in The Effort

YouTube Video UExYVGxHSGs2M2xMZ2JTOExOLVBFTlhEendNZHFXQW5PbS44RjRGMDE0MzdEMjJFODZG

Why A Great Career Also NEEDS To Feed Your Soul

ResourcesLatest Insights

Industry trends, booking tips, and agency news.

January 8, 2026

Resilience Lessons From an NFL Player Who Turned Life into Magic

Why Most Resilience Talks Fall Flat (And What Jon Dorenbos Does Differently) When was the...

January 6, 2026

The Top 3 Keynote Speaker Trends That Will Define Your Events in 2026

Why Your 2026 Event Strategy Starts Before January January doesn't start the year. It just...

Keynote Curators Features

January 5, 2026

How Pros Stay Steady To Engage & Interact With Their Event’s Audience

When the Room Goes Silent and Your Confidence Wavers You're on stage, delivering what you...

Moderator, Host & Emcee

December 19, 2025

The One Life Question That Separates Victims From Victors

When Life Knocks You Down, Ask This Question What would you do if doctors told...

December 18, 2025

Insights from Ross Bernstein on What Champions Do When Nobody’s Watching

Why Your Team Stays Talented Instead of Becoming Champions What separates a talented team from...

Elite Performance

See All Articles