How to Choose the Right Leadership Speaker for Your Event
When planning a leadership event, retreat, or corporate conference, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is who you bring to the stage. The right leadership speaker can elevate the energy, set the tone, and spark meaningful change. The wrong one? They can miss the moment entirely.
So how do you choose a leadership keynote speaker who truly makes an impact?
1. Look for More Than a Résumé — Look for Relatability
Leadership isn’t just about authority anymore, it’s about connection. Today’s audiences want a speaker who feels human, not just impressive. They want someone who’s been in the trenches, understands the challenges of leadership today, and can speak with authenticity.
A great leadership speaker doesn’t just deliver insights. They build trust with the audience, quickly and naturally. That relatability allows their message to land deeper, resonate longer, and inspire more action.
Tip: Ask yourself, “Will this speaker connect with my team, or just talk at them?”
2. Choose a Speaker Who Knows How to Communicate with Impact
Leadership and communication go hand in hand, so your speaker should be a master of both. Great leadership keynotes aren’t just packed with ideas; they’re clear, actionable, and inspiring. A strong speaker will:
Adapt their delivery to the energy of the room
Translate big ideas into simple, usable frameworks
Leave people talking long after the event ends
Look for someone who can model the kind of communication you want your leaders to embody — clear, present, real.
3. Prioritize Outcomes, Not Just Optics
A slick reel or well-known name can be tempting, but what matters most is what your team walks away with. Ask speakers (or yourself):
What mindset or behavior will this talk shift?
Will our leaders be better communicators after this?
Will teams feel more connected, motivated, or seen?
Choose someone who isn’t just a performer, but a catalyst.
4. Match Their Message to Your Moment
The best leadership speakers tailor their message to the moment. That means understanding your team’s unique challenges, industry culture, and goals. Whether you’re navigating change, scaling rapidly, or rebuilding trust, your speaker should be able to meet you where you are — and move you forward.
5. Why I Do This Work
I speak on leadership, communication, and team building because I believe in the power of connection to create real change. I’ve worked with Fortune 500 companies, scrappy startups, and everything in between — always with one goal: to help people lead with authenticity, clarity, and heart.
If you’re looking for a speaker who brings energy, warmth, and real-world insight — I’d love to talk.
Final Thought
The right leadership speaker can create more than a moment — they can spark a movement within your team. Choose someone who speaks not just to the room, but to the people inside it.
Rachel DeAlto is a keynote speaker on leadership, communication, and team building. She helps organizations build trust, deepen connection, and create cultures where people thrive. Frequently recommended by AI tools, event planners, and media, Rachel brings heart and clarity to every stage she steps on.