Gregg Ward

Gregg Ward Speaking Topics

• Stop Holding Yourself Back - From Inner Critic to Inner Champion: The Journey to Self-Respect

  We all have regrets. Some are small—like that extra donut we shouldn’t have eaten. Others, however, can haunt us for a lifetime.

  Gregg Ward knows this better than most. In this deeply personal and electrifying talk—an extension of his moving TEDx talk—Gregg shares his journey of overcoming immense regret and self-loathing after causing the accidental death of his high school sweetheart when he was just 18.

  Drawing on the powerful lessons learned from his own healing process, Gregg shows audiences how to move beyond their regrets—not by ignoring them, but by embracing and learning from them. He shares how regaining self-respect can unlock extraordinary potential in all areas of life.

  Through candid storytelling, gentle healing humor, and hard-won wisdom, Gregg inspires others to reclaim their confidence, heal from their emotional burdens, and embrace the freedom to move forward.

  KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Overcome the Weight of Regret: Learn how to own your past without letting it hold you back or define your future.
  • Transform Guilt into Growth: Discover how to use your regrets as a source of strength to create positive change in your life.
  • Rebuild Self-Respect: Learn how to regain trust and confidence—not just with yourself, but with those around you.
  • Shift from Self-Loathing to Self-Respect: Develop the mindset to move forward with clarity, courage, and empathy.
  • Embrace Personal Transformation: Experience firsthand how shifting your mindset can lead to profound personal growth.

• How to Lead with Self-Respect - Helping High Achievers Break Free from Limiting Beliefs

  How do you become an authentic, confident leader who inspires respect in others? It starts with learning to respect yourself. Yet, many leaders secretly struggle with self-doubt, regret, and hidden emotional burdens that prevent them from reaching their full potential. In this keynote, Gregg Ward shares his deeply personal journey—from overcoming a life-altering trauma to discovering the transformative power of self-respect.

  Through powerful storytelling, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, Gregg takes audiences on an inspiring exploration of how reclaiming self-respect can unlock extraordinary potential in leadership, relationships, and life. Drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, and his decades of leadership experience, he reveals how high-achievers can heal from past wounds, break free from limiting beliefs, and lead with authenticity and strength. This keynote is an invitation to reclaim your power and redefine what it means to lead with true respect—for yourself and others.

  KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Identify and overcome the hidden emotional burdens that undermine leadership potential
  • Use self-respect to rebuild confidence, psychological safety, and trust with your team
  • Develop the mindset needed to lead with empathy, clarity, and courage
  • Cultivate a culture of respect that inspires transformation in your organization
  • Unlock your highest potential in work, relationships, and beyond

• Leading Through the Storm - Cultivating Actively Respectful Cultures in Times of Uncertainty

  We are living in a time of rapid change and uncertainty, where employees and organizations are feeling the strain. With Millennials and Gen Z set to make up two-thirds of the global workforce by 2030, many of these emerging leaders are highly skilled but ill-prepared for the challenges of leadership. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers are retiring in droves, and constant business disruptions are the new norm. In this turbulent environment, stress often boils over, resulting in toxic work cultures, disengagement, and higher turnover. Research shows that employees are ten times more likely to leave due to toxic environments than poor compensation.

  In this compelling, data-driven keynote, Gregg Ward demonstrates how we can overcome these challenges by creating Actively Respectful Cultures™. By focusing on emotionally intelligent leadership and fostering respect at all levels, leaders can turn adversity into opportunity, driving employee engagement, performance, and loyalty. Through humor, storytelling, and audience participation, Gregg shares how cultivating respect in the workplace can lead to higher levels of collaboration, trust, and success. This keynote offers a powerful, actionable framework for leading with respect and resilience, even—especially—in turbulent times.

  KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Navigate generational shifts and prepare leaders for the future
  • Use emotional intelligence to drive effective leadership in a turbulent world
  • Recognize the impact of toxic cultures and how to transform them
  • Foster psychological safety to boost performance and engagement
  • Build Actively Respectful Cultures™ to improve employee satisfaction and loyalty

• Can I Trust You? - Building the Foundation for Successful Collaboration

  Ever work with someone you just don’t like? If not, you’re one of the lucky few! But do you have to “like” your colleague to work well with them? That would certainly be nice, but it’s not always possible. The question we really need to be asking—the one that determines whether collaboration will be successful—is actually, “Can I trust you.” In this engaging and interactive keynote, Gregg Ward shares why respect is the foundation of trust in any relationship—and how we can build it, even when we don’t see eye to eye.

  Through compelling storytelling, humor, and audience participation, Gregg highlights how respect creates the four essential conditions of trust: reliability, openness and honesty, competence, and concern for others’ best interests. Drawing on research and the neuroscience of respect, Gregg explains how respect can be established quickly and is the primary driver of trust, collaboration, and productivity. This keynote offers a powerful, practical framework for creating more productive, respectful, and trustworthy work environments—proving that even when our perspectives differ, we can still come together and succeed.

  KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Understand the critical relationship between respect and trust - Leverage the neuroscience of respect to improve collaboration - Apply the three types of respectful behaviors to drive performance - Master the four conditions of trust in every relationship - Use Gregg’s ROCC Model of Trust to enhance team engagement and satisfaction

• Bridging the Generational Divide - How to Foster Respectful Leadership in a Changing Workforce

  Not long ago, the workplace was dominated by the “Mad Men” era and my-way-or-the-highway leaders, where respect often took a back seat to results at any cost. But with Millennials and Gen Z now making up more than half of the workforce, the landscape has shifted—and for the better. These younger generations demand leadership grounded in mutual respect, and organizations must adapt to meet these expectations.

  In this energizing and data-driven keynote, Gregg Ward explores why respect is no longer just a “nice-to-have” but an essential driver of success. He examines how Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping organizational culture, pushing for leadership styles that prioritize respect and collaboration. Through compelling research and actionable insights, Gregg highlights how leaders can adjust to these changes and foster environments that drive productivity, employee engagement, and long-term success. This keynote offers a powerful, practical framework for bridging generational divides and cultivating a respectful, high-performance culture.

  KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Understand the generational shifts reshaping the workplace
  • Identify and apply the three types of respectful behaviors in organizations
  • Leverage the neuroscience of respect to enhance leadership effectiveness
  • Recognize how respect drives productivity, collaboration, and employee engagement
  • Create an Actively Respectful Culture™ (ARC) and implement it across your organization