What to Look for in a Keynote Speaker on Change and Leadership

If your business needs to change, but your people don’t want to, the process will be slow, stressful, and deliver mediocre results at best.

Change is constant, and strong leadership is required to guide teams through uncertainty. If your organization is planning an event to equip leaders with the skills to navigate change, choosing the right keynote speaker is crucial.

But what exactly should you look for in a speaker on change and leadership?

1. Real-World Experience with Change

The best keynote speakers don’t just talk about change—they’ve lived it. They’ve faced resistance, adapted, and come out stronger.

Take Julian Mather, for example. He once believed he was terrible at change, but through necessity and persistence, he transformed himself multiple times:

✅ Average shot → Army sniper
✅ Home movies → National Geographic cameraman
✅ Fumbling card tricks → Professional magician
✅ Never swinging a hammer → Building a home
✅ High school dropout → Published author
✅ Business rookie → Building and selling a company
✅ Stutterer → Motivational speaker

Julian’s story proves that change is not about talent or luck—it’s about learning and applying new skills. When choosing a keynote speaker, look for someone who has successfully navigated major transitions and can share relatable, practical insights.

2. The Ability to Address Resistance to Change

Most organizations don’t struggle because they lack a good strategy—they struggle because their people resist change. A great speaker understands why people resist and provides actionable ways to overcome it.

Julian Mather’s keynote, CHANGEABILITY, helps organizations:

✅ Make change feel less overwhelming
✅ Shift from resistance to resilience
✅ Equip leaders with tools to help their teams adapt faster
✅ Create a culture where change is embraced, not feared

3. Practical, Actionable Takeaways

While inspiration is important, a keynote speaker needs to leave the audience with real strategies they can use. The best speakers don’t just tell stories—they provide clear, actionable steps to implement change.

Julian Mather’s keynote focuses on simple, daily habits that build change resilience. His approach is based on small, manageable shifts that make a big difference over time.

4. Engaging Delivery That Sticks

Even the best message will be forgotten if the delivery is dull. A great keynote speaker should engage the audience in a way that makes the message memorable and actionable.

Julian Mather’s unique background—as a magician, filmmaker, and soldier—allows him to present change and leadership in an entertaining, compelling way. His ability to blend storytelling with humor and real-world lessons ensures audiences stay engaged and walk away ready to act.

Final Thoughts

A great keynote speaker on change and leadership should:

✅ Have real-world experience navigating change
✅ Provide strategies to overcome resistance
✅ Offer actionable takeaways that teams can use immediately
✅ Deliver an engaging, memorable talk

If your event needs a keynote speaker who can help your people embrace change instead of resisting it, Julian Mather could be the perfect fit.

Welcome to My Series on Leading Change and Building Resilience in Your Organization

This is Part 3 of a 10-part series

Change is constant. In today’s business world, organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and willing to embrace change are the ones that thrive. But how do you help your team get past resistance, overcome fear, and become more agile in the face of change?

This series of articles dives deep into the key elements of successful change leadership. Each article explores strategies and actionable insights for leaders to help their teams embrace change with confidence and resilience. Whether you’re looking to break through resistance, build a culture of adaptability, or help employees manage fear and stress during times of uncertainty, this series is your go-to guide.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. How to Get People to Embrace Change Instead of Resisting It
   Learn how to identify resistance to change and implement strategies that make it easier for your team to adapt.

2. How to Reduce Fear and Anxiety Around Workplace Change
   Discover how to reduce change-related anxiety by fostering an environment of trust and clarity.

3. How to Build a Culture of Adaptability in Your Organization
   Explore how to create a culture that thrives on change, making it a natural part of your organization’s DNA.

4. How to Create a Change-Ready Workforce
   Find out how to build a workforce that is equipped to handle and drive change with energy and enthusiasm.

5. How to Lead Through Change with Emotional Intelligence
   Learn the importance of emotional intelligence for leaders and how it helps employees navigate difficult changes with empathy.

6. How to Help Your Team Build Resilience in Times of Change
   Build resilience in your team by focusing on growth, learning from setbacks, and staying adaptable in the face of challenges.

7. How to Transform Your Team’s Mindset Towards Change
   Shift your team’s mindset from fixed to growth-oriented, creating a more proactive, adaptable, and open-minded workforce.

8. How to Overcome Resistance to Change in High-Stakes Situations
   Tackle high-stakes change with proven strategies that help reduce resistance and bring your team together.

9. How to Motivate Employees to Stay Engaged During Change
   Keep your employees motivated and committed during times of organizational change through effective communication and support.

10. The Power of Resilience: How to Lead Your Team Through Change
    Understand how resilience plays a pivotal role in leading teams through change and how to build it in your organization.

Take the Next Step Towards Leading Change with Confidence

By reading this series, you’ll gain the insights you need to foster a more adaptable, resilient, and engaged workforce. You’ll be better equipped to guide your team through uncertainty, manage change effectively, and create a culture that thrives in today’s fast-paced business world.

Don’t let resistance to change slow down your success. Embrace the strategies shared in these articles and start making change feel easier for everyone in your organization.

Ready to lead your team through change with confidence? Start reading the articles now and discover how you can turn change into an opportunity for growth and success.