Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Ozan Varol

Ozan Varol

Keynote Speaker: Rocket Scientist Turned Award-Winning Professor & Innovation Expert; Bestselling Author of "Think Like a Rocket Scientist" & "Awaken Your Genius"

Ozan Varol Biography

Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned award-winning professor, #1 bestselling author, and internationally acclaimed speaker. He is one of the world’s foremost experts in creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, helping organizations reimagine the status quo and launch ideas into orbits of their own.

Varol has been called a “true original” by Adam Grant and dubbed a “superhero” by Dan Pink. His work has been described as a “must read” by Susan Cain and featured in the Wall Street Journal, Time, BBC, CNN, Washington Post, Fast Company, and more, igniting sparks of inspiration for millions worldwide.

Audiences frequently call Varol the best speaker they’ve ever seen on stage. Varol doesn’t just speak; he ignites minds, transforming complex ideas into unforgettable “a ha!” moments. He has the rare ability to get people to drop their phones and tune in, leaving his audiences with practical insights they can implement right away to make giant leaps in work and life.

Varol’s transformative journey from arriving in the United States alone at 17 to becoming a globally celebrated thought leader enables him to resonate deeply with varied audiences. His unique talent for weaving together a narrative of inspiration with actionable insights makes him a sought-after voice for those aiming to redefine the boundaries of possibility. He is trusted by leading institutions like Microsoft, Accenture, lululemon, Deloitte, Salesforce, General Electric, and Google X.

His books, "Awaken Your Genius" and "Think Like a Rocket Scientist," aren’t just global bestsellers — they’re touchstones in the world of innovative thought. The books have been translated into 25 foreign languages and received numerous accolades, including being selected as one of Inc.com’s “6 Business Books You Need to Read This Year, One of Amazon’s Top 20 business books of the year, Adam Grant’s # 1 pick of his top 20 leadership books of the year, and one of 6 Groundbreaking Books of Spring 2020.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Ozan Varol and other top speakers and celebrities.

Ozan Varol Speaking Topics

Reimagine the Status Quo with Moonshot Thinking

Moonshot thinking is a way of turning the seemingly impossible into the possible. It’s the key to leaving behind the baggage of history and fostering innovation.

Businesses that take moonshots perform better, attract and retain top talent, and inspire teams and customers. In times of unrelenting change and uncertainty, it’s moonshot thinking that sets apart industry-leading businesses from the rest.

In this keynote, Ozan reveals his 4-step moonshot model to help you launch your own moonshot, spot opportunities you couldn’t see before, and create an extraordinary advantage to shape the future of your industry. The keynote draws on Ozan’s #1 bestselling book, Think Like a Rocket Scientist, which has been called “dazzling” by Adam Grant and “must read” by Susan Cain.

You’ll learn:

  • How invisible assumptions constrain your business (and what to do about it)
  • How to abandon the “We’ve always done it that way” mindset and reimagine the status quo
  • Why obstacles and uncertainty present opportunities to innovate
  • The single principle SpaceX used to revolutionize rocket science (and how you can use the same principle to transform your business)
  • Why breakthroughs begin with a smart question—not a smart answer
  • How to nail your next product launch using an unstoppable astronaut training strategy
  • How to place little bets on innovative ideas without risking it all

Awaken Your Genius: Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary

We say that some people march to the beat of a different drum. But implicit in this cliché is that the rest of us march to the same beat. We copy and paste from our peers and competitors, chase trends, and adopt the latest fad. We hide the creative genius of our employees under outdated modes of working.

An extraordinary group of organizations think and act with genuine independence. They stand out from the crowd because they don’t copy the crowd. They unlock the full creative potential of their employees and create a thriving workplace that attracts and retains top talent. They become remarkable in an increasingly competitive marketplace and generate raving customers.

In this keynote, which draws on Ozan’s bestselling book Awaken Your Genius, Ozan will share practical strategies that you can use to escape conformity, ignite creativity, and become extraordinary.

You’ll learn:

  • How to ignite the creativity of your team members and unlock their superpowers
  • How to discover your edge—the qualities that make your organization extraordinary
  • The secret to fostering an engaged and motivated workforce
  • Why brainstorming doesn’t work (and what to do about it)
  • What you can learn from Netflix’s biggest mistake
  • Why there actually are stupid questions (and how to ask better ones)
  • How to look where others don’t look and see what others don’t see
  • Why success creates complacency (and what to do about it)

Innovation and the Future of Work

The old ways of working no longer work. Businesses can’t afford to live in a world of endless meetings, bureaucratic red tape, and broken ways of collaborating that decrease employee morale, hurt engagement, and hamper innovation.

The pandemic-induced disruptions—including greater uncertainty, talent shortages, and supply chain constraints—are just the beginning. Although people yearn for a return to “normal,” or try to predict the “new normal,” there is no such thing as normal. There is only change. Never-ending, constant change. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but constant nonetheless.

As we return to work, how can businesses stay at the forefront of change instead of being unraveled by it? In this keynote, Ozan shares research-backed tools and tactics for accelerating innovation in the new world of work.

You’ll learn:

  • What you can do to activate a culture of belonging, boost psychological safety, and set up the ideal environment for creation and collaboration
  • How to strengthen your organization with lessons learned during the pandemic, instead of reverting to “business as usual”
  • Why searching for certainty is a mistake—and how to thrive, not just survive, in uncertain conditions
  • Three science-backed strategies for avoiding burnout and cognitive overload
  • Why searching for certainty is a mistake—and how to thrive, not just survive, in uncertain conditions
  • Three science-backed strategies for avoiding burnout and cognitive overload
  • How to let go of past successes and continuously reimagine the status quo

Think Different: The Power of Cognitive Diversity

Many businesses strive to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. But they often overlook cognitive diversity—which is based on differences in viewpoint or perspective. As a result, groupthink and conformity thrive even in institutions whose lifeblood is creativity. Employees hide their best selves rather than go against the grain.

In this keynote, Ozan shares a lively, research-backed roadmap that business leaders can use to promote a thriving corporate culture that harnesses cognitive diversity and fosters innovation.

You’ll learn:

  • The two reasons why most modern workplaces stifle cognitive diversity and undermine creativity
  • How you can promote psychological safety where employees feel free to speak up and share their best ideas
  • How to harness the power of diversity while maintaining team unity and alignment
  • Why innovation often begins with input from industry outsiders
  • What you can do to foster collaboration across organizational silos

Ozan Varol Videos

Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol
Shoot for the Moon: Ozan Varol
X Talks | Ozan Varol

How do I book Ozan Varol to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ozan Varol 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 Ozan Varol, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ozan Varol or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Ozan Varol for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Ozan Varol, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ozan Varol are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ozan Varol, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Ozan Varol speak about?

Ozan Varol is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Disruptive Thinking, Mindset, Peak Performance, Diversity & Inclusion, Psychology, Change Management, Innovation, Creativity, Future of Work, Corporate Culture, Authors and Futurism.

Where does Ozan Varol travel from?

Ozan Varol generally travels from Portland, OR, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Ozan Varol?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Ozan Varol 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ozan Varol 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 Ozan Varol 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.


Ozan Varol is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Disruptive Thinking, Mindset and Peak Performance. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ozan Varol for live events is $50,000 - $100,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Ozan Varol generally travels from Portland, OR, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Eduardo Briceño, Cassandra Worthy and Josh Linkner. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ozan Varol for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 19/09/2024.

Ozan Varol Speaking Topics

  • Reimagine the Status Quo with Moonshot Thinking

    Moonshot thinking is a way of turning the seemingly impossible into the possible. It’s the key to leaving behind the baggage of history and fostering innovation.

    Businesses that take moonshots perform better, attract and retain top talent, and inspire teams and customers. In times of unrelenting change and uncertainty, it’s moonshot thinking that sets apart industry-leading businesses from the rest.

    In this keynote, Ozan reveals his 4-step moonshot model to help you launch your own moonshot, spot opportunities you couldn’t see before, and create an extraordinary advantage to shape the future of your industry. The keynote draws on Ozan’s #1 bestselling book, Think Like a Rocket Scientist, which has been called “dazzling” by Adam Grant and “must read” by Susan Cain.

    You’ll learn:

    • How invisible assumptions constrain your business (and what to do about it)
    • How to abandon the “We’ve always done it that way” mindset and reimagine the status quo
    • Why obstacles and uncertainty present opportunities to innovate
    • The single principle SpaceX used to revolutionize rocket science (and how you can use the same principle to transform your business)
    • Why breakthroughs begin with a smart question—not a smart answer
    • How to nail your next product launch using an unstoppable astronaut training strategy
    • How to place little bets on innovative ideas without risking it all

  • Awaken Your Genius: Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary

    We say that some people march to the beat of a different drum. But implicit in this cliché is that the rest of us march to the same beat. We copy and paste from our peers and competitors, chase trends, and adopt the latest fad. We hide the creative genius of our employees under outdated modes of working.

    An extraordinary group of organizations think and act with genuine independence. They stand out from the crowd because they don’t copy the crowd. They unlock the full creative potential of their employees and create a thriving workplace that attracts and retains top talent. They become remarkable in an increasingly competitive marketplace and generate raving customers.

    In this keynote, which draws on Ozan’s bestselling book Awaken Your Genius, Ozan will share practical strategies that you can use to escape conformity, ignite creativity, and become extraordinary.

    You’ll learn:

    • How to ignite the creativity of your team members and unlock their superpowers
    • How to discover your edge—the qualities that make your organization extraordinary
    • The secret to fostering an engaged and motivated workforce
    • Why brainstorming doesn’t work (and what to do about it)
    • What you can learn from Netflix’s biggest mistake
    • Why there actually are stupid questions (and how to ask better ones)
    • How to look where others don’t look and see what others don’t see
    • Why success creates complacency (and what to do about it)

  • Innovation and the Future of Work

    The old ways of working no longer work. Businesses can’t afford to live in a world of endless meetings, bureaucratic red tape, and broken ways of collaborating that decrease employee morale, hurt engagement, and hamper innovation.

    The pandemic-induced disruptions—including greater uncertainty, talent shortages, and supply chain constraints—are just the beginning. Although people yearn for a return to “normal,” or try to predict the “new normal,” there is no such thing as normal. There is only change. Never-ending, constant change. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but constant nonetheless.

    As we return to work, how can businesses stay at the forefront of change instead of being unraveled by it? In this keynote, Ozan shares research-backed tools and tactics for accelerating innovation in the new world of work.

    You’ll learn:

    • What you can do to activate a culture of belonging, boost psychological safety, and set up the ideal environment for creation and collaboration
    • How to strengthen your organization with lessons learned during the pandemic, instead of reverting to “business as usual”
    • Why searching for certainty is a mistake—and how to thrive, not just survive, in uncertain conditions
    • Three science-backed strategies for avoiding burnout and cognitive overload
    • Why searching for certainty is a mistake—and how to thrive, not just survive, in uncertain conditions
    • Three science-backed strategies for avoiding burnout and cognitive overload
    • How to let go of past successes and continuously reimagine the status quo

  • Think Different: The Power of Cognitive Diversity

    Many businesses strive to promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. But they often overlook cognitive diversity—which is based on differences in viewpoint or perspective. As a result, groupthink and conformity thrive even in institutions whose lifeblood is creativity. Employees hide their best selves rather than go against the grain.

    In this keynote, Ozan shares a lively, research-backed roadmap that business leaders can use to promote a thriving corporate culture that harnesses cognitive diversity and fosters innovation.

    You’ll learn:

    • The two reasons why most modern workplaces stifle cognitive diversity and undermine creativity
    • How you can promote psychological safety where employees feel free to speak up and share their best ideas
    • How to harness the power of diversity while maintaining team unity and alignment
    • Why innovation often begins with input from industry outsiders
    • What you can do to foster collaboration across organizational silos

Ozan Varol Videos

Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol
Shoot for the Moon: Ozan Varol
X Talks | Ozan Varol
  • How do I book Ozan Varol to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ozan Varol 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 Ozan Varol, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ozan Varol or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Ozan Varol for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Ozan Varol, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ozan Varol are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ozan Varol, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Ozan Varol speak about?

    Ozan Varol is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Disruptive Thinking, Mindset, Peak Performance, Diversity & Inclusion, Psychology, Change Management, Innovation, Creativity, Future of Work, Corporate Culture, Authors and Futurism.
  • Where does Ozan Varol travel from?

    Ozan Varol generally travels from Portland, OR, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Ozan Varol?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Ozan Varol 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ozan Varol 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 Ozan Varol 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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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.