Muriel Call, Staff Writer
Employee engagement is important. If you’re leading a team, you already know this.
To quote Simon Sinek, “When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” The value of the investment an engaged employee makes in their organization and in their role cannot be overstated.
Leaders are constantly seeking ways to inspire and engage their employees to improve organizational success. Conferences and other events serve as a vital platform for this endeavor. They provide an opportunity for leaders to share best practices, network with other forward-thinking individuals, and learn from experts in the field.
The most impactful aspects of these events are the speakers who have mastered the art of inspiring others and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in fostering thriving organizations. They play a crucial role in sparking inspiration and motivating leaders to effect real change in their organizations.
One of the areas where leaders look to be inspired at conferences is employee engagement. This topic is frequently covered at conferences, workshops, and other events because of the profound impact employee engagement can have on an organization.
With so many different speakers to choose from, selecting one for your event can be challenging. Sifting through bios and demo videos can be a time-consuming process. Fortunately, we at Business Leadership Today have done the hard work for you.
We’ve reviewed hundreds of speaker profiles and carefully selected our top five employee engagement speakers in the $15,000-$30,000 fee range.
In this article, we’ll explore the top five employee engagement speakers. Each one brings a different perspective to the table, but all of them will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to help your team members engage at work.
Why Employee Engagement Matters
Employee engagement is a fundamental cornerstone of any successful organization. It is the emotional commitment and involvement an employee has toward their work and their organization.
Engaged employees show up for more than just a paycheck or the promise of a promotion—they are fully invested in helping the organization achieve its goals. They care about their work and their company, leading to a myriad of benefits for both the employee and the organization.
Engaged employees are more likely to be invested in their work, leading to higher productivity. They put in extra effort voluntarily because they feel a sense of purpose and passion for their work. This increased effort leads to higher levels of output and better-quality work.
Improved employee retention is another benefit of high employee engagement. Employees who are engaged are less likely to leave the organization, reducing turnover costs and retaining talent within the company.
High engagement also leads to better customer satisfaction. Engaged employees are more likely to be enthusiastic and committed to providing exceptional service, leading to happier customers. Happy customers are more likely to be loyal and provide repeat business, driving profitability.
In terms of financial metrics, organizations with high levels of employee engagement are more profitable. Engaged employees contribute to the bottom line as their productivity, commitment, and customer service drive increased sales and higher profits, leading to greater profitability.
Finally, engaged employees are more likely to be innovative, suggesting improvements and new ways of doing things. They feel a sense of ownership for their work, leading to enhanced innovation.
What Makes a Good Employee Engagement Speaker?
A good speaker can provide new perspectives on employee engagement, challenging leaders to think differently about how they manage performance and strategize organizational success. They can share effective strategies that have been proven to boost engagement, providing leaders with practical tools and techniques that they can implement in their own organizations.
Talented and inspiring speakers can motivate leaders to take action. Through their powerful delivery and compelling narratives, they can ignite a sense of urgency around improving employee engagement. They can help leaders understand the tangible benefits of having an engaged workforce and the potential risks of neglecting this important area.
Speakers also have the ability to share stories and examples that resonate with the audience. These stories can be incredibly powerful, as they allow leaders to see the real-world impact of high employee engagement. They can spark ideas, stimulate discussion, and encourage leaders to envision the potential within their own teams.
The right employee engagement speaker can be a catalyst for change in an organization. They inspire leaders to strive for higher levels of engagement within their teams, ultimately leading to improved organizational success.
By leveraging the insights and inspiration gleaned from these speakers, leaders are better equipped to foster an environment where employees are truly engaged, leading to a more productive, innovative, and successful organization.
Top 5 Employee Engagement Speakers
Now that we’ve explored the many ways quality employee engagement speakers can motivate and inspire leaders and other conference attendees, let’s discuss the best spreaders on the subject.
Here, without further ado, are our top five employee engagement speakers.
1. Matt Tenney
Matt Tenney is known for delivering powerful, actionable ideas that help leaders improve employee engagement and performance and build workplace cultures that attract and retain top talent.
Matt is well-known for delivering inspiring keynote speeches that start with his life journey, from being a prisoner to becoming a monk and a social entrepreneur. His speeches end with a powerful reminder to prioritize helping others, leaving attendees feeling deeply inspired. Many people who have attended his speeches have commented that they were the best they have ever heard.
Matt is the author of three leadership books, including the highly acclaimed book Inspire Greatness: How to Motivate Employees with a Simple, Repeatable, Scalable Process. His clients include Fortune 500 companies like Canon, United Airlines, and Salesforce, as well as many state and national associations, like the Credit Union National Association, the American Society for Association Executives, the Corporate Housing Providers Association, and the American Dental Association.
Demo Video for Those Planning a Leadership Meeting
Demo Video for Conference Planners
2. Anton Gunn
Anton Gunn, a dynamic keynote speaker and bestselling author, is renowned for his leadership in building diverse, high-performing teams and world-class workplaces. A former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, he made history as the first African American elected to the South Carolina Legislature from his district.
Anton’s academic achievements include a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and a residency at Harvard. His bestselling books, The Audacity of Leadership and The Presidential Principles, have earned him recognition in TIME Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more. As the CEO of 937 Strategy Group, Anton has collaborated with global organizations like Mercedes-Benz Vans and KPMG.
He holds the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, reflecting his commitment to excellence in professional speaking. Anton’s life mission is to help leaders create world-class workplace cultures.
Watch Anton on Leadership LIVE
3. Sara Frasca
Sara Frasca, a business growth expert and CEO of Point NorthEast, is known for her ability to cultivate human imagination, build a culture of accountability, and solve complex problems to drive business growth.
Known for her warm Midwestern smile, Sara brings hope and optimism, nurturing innovation to businesses of all sizes. With “the curiosity of Galileo and the tenacity of a street fighter,” she has honed her skills in senior leadership roles in corporate America and startups.
A former leader at General Mills and the 2017 Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Jacksonville, Florida, Sara is also the proud owner of Trasca & Co. Eatery. As a global innovation expert and award-winning entrepreneur, she inspires companies to overcome challenges by unlocking everyone’s creative power.
Watch Sara’s Demo Video
4. Dr. Todd Dewett
Dr. Todd Dewett, an internationally recognized leadership keynote speaker, is known for his authentic approach to addressing core challenges. His journey began with degrees from the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee, followed by a Ph.D. in Management from Texas A&M University.
After a decade in academia, Todd transitioned into various roles: speaker, author, trainer, and advisor. He is the go-to leadership expert for millions through LinkedIn Learning, where his work has made him a two-time global best-seller. As a speaker, he combines world-class expertise, a rugged, authentic style, and a knack for inspiring people.
His accomplishments include a TEDx talk, being named an Inc. Magazine Top 100 leadership speaker, working with clients like Exxon Mobil and GE, and the book Dancing With Monsters: A Tale About Leadership, Success, and Overcoming Fears. Todd’s mission is to ignite a spark in people, making them laugh, think, and cry at every event.
Watch Todd at TEDxDayton
5. Susan Salgado
Susan Salgado, a renowned employee engagement keynote speaker, is an expert at the intersection of organizational culture, leadership, and customer experience. She spent 15 years as Director of Culture and Learning for Danny Meyer’s top-rated NYC restaurants, where she implemented leadership training programs that significantly contributed to the company’s growth and the creation of the Shake Shack brand.
As an advisor to corporate leaders, Susan helps organizations evolve their culture, particularly during periods of rapid growth. Her clients include Hyatt, JPMorgan Chase, and Coca-Cola. In response to the business world’s pivot during 2020 and 2021, Susan tailored keynote speeches addressing hybrid work and the future of the workplace.
Holding a Ph.D. from NYU-Stern School of Business, Susan is a TED speaker, co-founder of the NYC chapter of Conscious Capitalism, and was named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business. Susan tailors her talks to each audience’s specific needs and goals. Her keynotes on leadership and organizational culture are easily understandable and highly actionable, distilling complex concepts into tangible ideas.
Watch Susan at TEDxBroadway
Muriel Call
Staff Writer / Editor
