A Great Keynote Speaker Can Change the World (Or at Least Your World)

A Great Keynote Speaker Can Change the World (Or at Least Your World)
By Kirsten L. Singleton, MBA, CAE

At a recent conference we hosted through the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association, I stood in the back of the room, as I usually do, and scanned the audience as they found their way to their seats. The group included many high-powered healthcare executives. During the coffee break I had overheard snippets of their conversations, mostly about ensuring quality of care in the face of financial difficulties, regulatory mandates, and complex new partnerships. They all seemed to have heavy concerns on their minds.

But now, as people were seated and the speaker took the stage, there was an expectant moment of silence. The speaker paused and looked around the audience. He greeted the group by saying, "I’m pretty excited today. My 16-year-old daughter Katie is playing first violin with her high school band tomorrow at Carnegie Hall” to which there was an audible gasp from the audience. He then said, "It would mean the world to her if you’d all say ‘Good Luck Katie’ to her as I take a quick iPhone video.” As the speaker videoed the crowd wishing his daughter luck, I could feel the room of 350 people relax into this very human moment. Their executive battle armor was pierced, opening them to listen and learn for the next hour.

This is the power of a great keynote speaker.

In today’s world, executives are being called upon to think way outside the box. In fact, the box is gone and all bets are off about the future of many industries. Now, more than ever, it’s important for leaders to be inspired and creative.

You may remember a scene from the movie The Dead Poets Society. As the captivating Professor Keating, Robin Williams jumped up onto his desk dramatically, asking the students if they knew why he wanted to be up there. He looked around at his new vantage point for a few moments and said, "I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way.” And that’s where a great keynote talk comes in. To help leaders see things in different ways to free up their best ideas.

Usually at the end of a conference, what I observe is a palpable, heightened level of energy from the group. Not only have people learned new things, they have also pulled themselves away from their daily grind and, in effect, hit the refresh button. People are lighter, more open, and excited to get back to put new ideas into place.

As leaders yourselves, I hope you’ll continue to see the value in bringing new thinking to your team and to the associations you serve.
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Kirsten L. Singleton, MBA, CAE is the Executive Director, Center for Education & Professional Development at MHA and the Executive Director for H Speakers. She is a Past Chair of the New England Society of Association Executives.