Every keynote gives audiences practical strategies for performing at their best during times of change, uncertainty, and increasing workplace pressure.
All keynotes are customized for the audience.
All In! Betting on Yourself During Challenging Times
Help your audience perform at their best when the pressure is on.
Today’s professionals face constant change, competing priorities, and increasing pressure to perform. The people who succeed aren’t necessarily the smartest or the most experienced. They’re the ones who know how to stay focused, adaptable, and confident when it matters most.
Through engaging stories, humor, and practical insights drawn from careers in broadcast news, hurricane relief, and professional ballet, this keynote delivers a mindset makeover that helps attendees embrace challenges, inspire others, and perform at their very best.
You Will Learn How To:
- Develop a mindset that helps you perform confidently during times of uncertainty.
- Turn workplace pressure into opportunities for growth and better decision making.
- Stay focused on what matters most when priorities compete for your attention.
- Inspire greater confidence and resilience in the people you lead and work beside.
- Apply practical strategies that improve both professional performance and personal well being.
This session also includes Ken’s signature piece, The Police Dog Attack Story.
AI Progress Isn’t a Rocket Ship….It’s a Slinky!
Show your audience how to succeed in an AI-powered workplace without losing the human advantage.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, but the greatest challenge isn’t learning new technology. It’s learning how to adapt with confidence when the workplace keeps evolving.
This engaging keynote isn’t about becoming an AI expert. It’s about strengthening the uniquely human skills that technology can’t replace, including communication, adaptability, trust, and leadership. You’ll leave with practical strategies for navigating change, embracing new opportunities, and remaining valuable in a workplace where the rules keep changing.
You Will Learn How To:
- Adapt with confidence as AI and emerging technologies reshape the workplace.
- Strengthen the human skills that technology cannot replace, including communication, trust, and sound judgment.
- Reduce the stress and uncertainty that often accompany rapid workplace change.
- Build a mindset that embraces innovation without losing the personal connections that drive success.
- Position yourself and your team to thrive in an AI powered future.
Get Better! Smart Business Advice From Unexpected Mentors
Unexpected stories. Practical lessons. Better leaders.
Some of the best business lessons don’t come from the boardroom. They come from unexpected people and extraordinary experiences. Inspired by the book, Get Better! Smart Business Advice From Unexpected Mentors, this entertaining keynote uncovers practical leadership and workplace lessons from surprising sources.
Through humor, engaging storytelling, and real world examples, attendees discover fresh perspectives they can immediately apply to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and achieve greater success at work and beyond.
You Will Learn How To:
- Recognize valuable leadership lessons hidden in everyday experiences.
- Improve communication by viewing familiar challenges from fresh perspectives.
- Build stronger relationships through trust, curiosity, and authentic connection.
- Apply simple, memorable ideas that lead to better decisions and stronger results.
- Leave inspired to become a more effective leader, teammate, and professional.
This customized session can also include 50 free copies of the Get Better! book and be coordinated with a book signing at your event!
All of Ken’s keynote speeches (approximately 45-90 minutes) are also available as workshops (approximately half a day duration).
And all talks can be delivered virtually from his home studio or a nearby professional studio.
Ken Okel Testimonials
“Ken is incredibly engaging, animated, and a great storyteller. His presentation really connected from beginning to end and left everyone feeling motivated and ready to take on a new challenge. I would highly recommend him to speak at any organization.” Alyssa Young, Global Business Travel Association, South Florida Chapter
“…Absolutely blown away by Ken’s message and experienced delivery.”
Holly Bilotti, New Jersey Chapter of Club Management
“This was one of the most, if not the most, impressive and engaging virtual presentations!”
Nancy Smith, Michigan Great Lakes HFMA
The Paper Hat Exercise
Ken’s sessions can also feature his Paper Hat Exercise. It’s a hands-on audience energizer where your group has to face the unexpected challenge of having to make a paper hat. It’s done in a safe and fun environment.
The benefits include seeing how you react to a challenge, how a challenge opens the door to creative solutions and collaboration, and how you can be better prepared for the next challenge you face.
The Paper Hat Exercise can be branded to sponsors or your organization.
Master of Ceremonies
A good Master of Ceremonies is like Sandra Bullock’s best friend in a romantic comedy. The job is to tell some funny jokes, help move the plot along, and never take the attention away from the star. From the stage, it’s also smart for the Emcee to honestly and energetically thank the audience for doing the kind of work they do and give specifics about how they matter.
- Unify your event behind a theme
- Keep the proceedings on time and deal with unexpected challenges or announcements
- Promote your event and empower your attendees
Additional Breakout Sessions
Ken also offers sessions designed to compliment his longer talks that showcase his more than 20 years of experience working with audiences. Some use these in special sessions with executive teams and board members.
- Presentation Skills for Leaders
- Media Training/Presenting Your Message on Camera
- Five Communication Mistakes that Cost You Cash
Live Interviews & Recorded Interviews
As a former broadcaster, Ken is very comfortable in front of the microphone and has spent more than 20 years working in front of audiences. He can lead panel discussions and quickly understands new topics, much as he did as a reporter.
Ken can also use video to add value to your meeting. Some clients have him produce videos to promote their events, interview leaders, or profile sponsors. Here are some examples: