Michael D. Watkins

Michael D. Watkins

Keynote Speaker: Leadership Transition & Organizational Change Expert; Professor at International Institute for Management Development; Author of "The First 90 Days"; Co-Founder of Genesis Advisers

Michael D. Watkins Biography

Michael D. Watkins is recognized for his expertise in leadership transitions and organizational change. He serves as professor of leadership and organizational change at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland. Watkins studied electrical engineering at the University of Waterloo and pursued business and law at Western University before earning a doctorate in decision sciences at Harvard University. Prior to his current role, he was an adjunct professor at INSEAD and associate professor at Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, where he designed and taught programs focused on leader development, corporate diplomacy, and strategic negotiation.

Watkins is the author of "The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter," a widely referenced resource on onboarding and leadership transitions. "The First 90 Days" has sold more than 1.5 million copies, has been translated into 28 languages, and is included in Amazon Editors' list of 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime. The book provides principles to help leaders transition efficiently into new roles, identifying common challenges and offering tools and strategies to address them. Watkins followed this with "Your Next Move: The Leader's Guide to Managing Critical Career Transitions," which offers guidance on applying his framework across various professional contexts. He later published "Master Your Next Move: The Essential Companion to The First 90 Days," expanding on these concepts.

Watkins has also authored "The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking," which examines how executives can develop strategic thinking skills to guide organizational growth. His earlier work, "Predictable Surprises," was recognized by Strategy + Business and received the annual Kulp-Wright Award from the American Risk and Insurance Association. Watkins' research and insights appear in HBR Guides and HBR's 10 Must Reads on leadership, teams, strategic initiatives, and new managers.

Watkins is co-founder of Genesis Advisers, a leadership development consultancy specializing in onboarding and integration solutions. He has worked extensively with leaders navigating new roles, building teams, and driving organizational transformation. At the International Institute for Management Development, he directs the First 90 Days open program for leaders assuming new responsibilities and co-directs the Transition to Business Leadership executive program. Watkins is a frequent keynote speaker and guest on business podcasts. He has been inducted into the Thinkers50 Management Hall of Fame, which honors significant contributions to management concepts and ideas. His research, teaching, and consulting with C-suite executives worldwide position him as a leading authority on leadership challenges in dynamic business environments.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Michael D. Watkins and other top speakers and celebrities.

Michael D. Watkins Videos

The First 90 Days as a Leader W/ Michael Watkins
Michael Watkins On Transition Challenges for Enterprise Leaders ...

How do I book Michael D. Watkins to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael D. Watkins for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael D. Watkins, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael D. Watkins or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Michael D. Watkins for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Michael D. Watkins, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael D. Watkins are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael D. Watkins, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Michael D. Watkins speak about?

Michael D. Watkins is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Leadership, Business, Education, Bestselling Authors, Author, Business Leadership, Business Growth, Human Resources, Corporate Culture, Change Management, Thought Leadership, Disruptive Thinking, Strategic Leadership, Executive Leadership, Business Consulting and Negotiation.

Where does Michael D. Watkins travel from?

Michael D. Watkins generally travels from Lausanne, Switzerland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Michael D. Watkins?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael D. Watkins for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael D. Watkins for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael D. Watkins or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Michael D. Watkins is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Leadership, Business and Education. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michael D. Watkins for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Michael D. Watkins generally travels from Lausanne, Switzerland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Adrian Gostick, Libby Gill and Afterburner. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michael D. Watkins for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 17/07/2026.

Michael D. Watkins Videos

The First 90 Days as a Leader W/ Michael Watkins
Michael Watkins On Transition Challenges for Enterprise Leaders ...
  • How do I book Michael D. Watkins to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michael D. Watkins for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michael D. Watkins, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michael D. Watkins or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Michael D. Watkins for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Michael D. Watkins, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michael D. Watkins are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michael D. Watkins, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Michael D. Watkins speak about?

  • Where does Michael D. Watkins travel from?

    Michael D. Watkins generally travels from Lausanne, Switzerland and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Michael D. Watkins?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michael D. Watkins for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michael D. Watkins for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michael D. Watkins or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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