In the UK, hiring authenticity keynote speakers is a transformative step towards embracing one's true self. Research indicates that 60% of UK employees feel they cannot show their true selves at work, impacting their performance and wellbeing. Engaging with such speakers can empower individuals to overcome social anxieties and live authentically.
What Does Embracing Authenticity Mean?
Embracing authenticity means living a life that is true to one's own personality, spirit, and character, regardless of external pressures and expectations. This concept, emphasised by thinkers like Glennon Doyle and Brené Brown, involves more than just being honest with others—it requires a deep, introspective honesty with oneself. Authentic living demands acknowledging and expressing genuine thoughts, feelings, and beliefs, even when they diverge from societal norms. This path necessitates vulnerability, as showing one's true self can expose one to judgment and criticism. However, it is precisely through this vulnerability that one can form meaningful, genuine connections. Embracing authenticity is thus a courageous act of self-discovery and self-expression, a commitment to honouring one’s uniqueness and living fully and unapologetically.
Source: Psychology Today
Who are the 10 Top Authenticity Speakers to Hire in 2024?
- Gina Battye
- Penny Power
- Michelle Visage
- Dan Cable
- Jo Salter
- Nicky Moffat
- Jamil Qureshi
- Floella Benjamin
- Lauren Paton
- Laura Penn
1. Gina Battye
Gina Battye is a renowned authenticity speaker, bringing a unique blend of personal experience and professional expertise to the forefront of psychological safety in the workplace. As the Founder and CEO of the Psychological Safety Institute, she utilises her innovative 5 Pillars of Psychological Safety and the Hierarchy of Psychological Safety to transform organisational cultures. Gina's powerful narrative, shaped by overcoming workplace homophobia and managing complex criminal environments, underscores her resilience and dedication. Her work not only inspires individuals to embrace their authentic selves but also empowers organisations globally to foster inclusive and thriving work environments.
Official Speaker Feedback:
” Gina was a guest speaker at an event in AstraZeneca. Gina delivered an interactive conversation on the topic of bringing your whole self to work and LGBT inclusion. The feedback was extremely positive and I would highly recommend working with Gina on any corporate event relating to inclusion, diversity and LGBT topics." - AstraZeneca
2. Penny Power
Penny Power OBE is a renowned UK entrepreneur and authenticity keynote speaker who specialises in the concept of "community-led growth." With decades of experience, Penny inspires organisations to adopt a community mindset, which she passionately advocates for in her engaging talks. Her approach combines practical strategies with neuroscience insights, emphasising how community impacts mental well-being through dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. Penny’s impactful presentations have guided many towards innovative communication and robust community-building in business.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"Wow Penny was absolutely brilliant, her talk was very aspiring and she hit the nail on the head with the brief. Penny engaged the audience brilliantly, and the support she showed for the programme pre and post-talk was amazing." - Emmie, Nottingham Trent University
3. Michelle Visage
Michelle Visage, a prominent figure in entertainment, leverages her over three decades of experience as a presenter, performer, and judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race to captivate audiences as a keynote speaker. Known for her vibrant personality and deep connections in the industry, Michelle authentically shares insights from her illustrious career, blending motivational themes with entertaining anecdotes. Her talks not only inspire but also resonate with authenticity, making her a sought-after speaker at various high-profile events.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"Can you please pass on MASSIVE thanks to her. If you could let her know the reception has been INCREDIBLE. One comment was 'I"m going to log off this call and conquer the world!'….She inspired so many." - Grace, Amex
4. Dan Cable
Dan Cable is a highly esteemed authenticity keynote speaker and a Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the London Business School. With a profound background in psychology and organisational culture, Dan has been enlightening audiences at major companies like Coca-Cola and PwC. His talks focus on nurturing a growth mindset, leveraging the power of purpose, and understanding the psychology of sustainable change. Recognised on the Thinkers50 Radar List and the author of three best-selling books, Dan’s insights help organisations enhance performance and foster innovation.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"What separates Dan from the rest is his non-conventional delivery. By intelligently using a powerful arsenal of concepts, relevant real-life examples and analogies he was able to engage a team of very senior leaders from start to finish" - Group HR Director, Coca-Cola Asia Pacific
5. Jo Salter
Dr Jo Salter MBE, the first female fast jet pilot, now shines as a keynote speaker on authenticity. With her remarkable journey from the Royal Air Force to transformative leadership roles at PwC, Jo imparts invaluable insights into leadership, resilience, and performance under pressure. Her speeches resonate deeply, drawing from vivid narratives of her aerial exploits and strategic roles, making her a compelling figure for audiences seeking to harness authenticity in their professional and personal lives.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"Wow- Jo was absolutely fantastic. An amazing guest speaker, totally engaging, hilariously funny and has an incredible story to share about facing adversity, diversity and performing at your very best! We loved having her, feedback was amazing, we just wish we had all day just to hear all her incredible stories. Totally loved it! Thank you, Jo" - Amy, Wells Fargo
6. Nicky Moffat
Nicky Moffat, with a distinguished 27-year career in the Armed Forces, has transitioned into an authenticity keynote speaker of notable talent. Leveraging her profound experiences from intense governmental roles during crises in Iraq, Afghanistan, and more, she crafts bespoke, impactful presentations. Nicky's TED-style delivery ensures genuine engagement, emphasising practical applications through storytelling. Her expertise as a leadership coach and her role in large-scale productions like the English National Opera’s "War Requiem" further validate her exceptional oratorical skills.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"We booked Nicky to talk at our ‘women in road’ network event. Nicky gave a fantastic talk and really connected with her audience who found her both interesting and thought provoking. She was a great success and feedback after the event was all positive – they loved her!" - Emma, The AA
7. Jamil Qureshi
Jamil Qureshi stands out as a talented authenticity keynote speaker with a profound background in performance psychology. His work spans sports and business realms, where he’s notably helped teams and individuals, like the European Ryder Cup team and top Formula 1 racer, achieve world-class success. A co-founder of We Do Things Differently and other consultancies, Jamil excels in instigating meaningful cultural changes across various industries. His engaging talks offer actionable insights into leading effectively and embracing change, making him a captivating addition to any event.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"Jamil was great and the attendees gave really good feedback on the session - was a great fit for what we wanted to achieve. Please convey our thanks to Jamil and thank you for getting this activation over the line." - Imran, Meta
8. Floella Benjamin
Baroness Floella Benjamin, a pioneering actor, writer, and campaigner, is a talented authenticity keynote speaker with a compelling life story. Born into the Windrush generation and thrust into a dual-cultural survival at a young age, her journey from financial hardship to influential advocate spans over four decades. Floella's speeches are enriched by her vivid personal anecdotes and steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusion. She captivates audiences with her authenticity, inspiring a broader understanding and embracing of diverse backgrounds.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"Just to pass on our thanks for yesterday - we had over 2100 people listen to Floella and if the comments I was getting from people through it were anything to go by everybody absolutely love it - and her energy!!! My goodness can only hope I have that energy in a few years time - was also singing Smile all last night too! Once again thanks for your assistance" - Caroline, Risk Manager, EY LLP
9. Lauren Paton
Lauren Paton is an acclaimed authenticity keynote speaker known for her captivating and insightful presentations. With over two decades of strategic marketing and leadership experience at giants like Amazon and Disney, and as the founder of leadership consultancy Scout + Circle, she expertly blends humour and wisdom to empower women in leadership. Lauren’s speeches at leading companies and her podcast 'A Woman in a Man’s World' showcase her commitment to enhancing emotional intelligence and confidence among female leaders.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"Lauren ran an excellent virtual session for our members where she shared her expertise on coping with the unexpected. It was incredibly informative and there were high levels of interaction from start to finish. The content was practical and many of our members commented on how they had already felt the benefits" - Emma, Sistr
10. Laura Penn
Dr. Laura Penn is a highly sought-after authenticity keynote speaker, renowned for her dynamic approach in transforming leadership communication. As the founder of The Leadership Speaking School, she works with top-tier clients like the World Economic Forum and Louis Vuitton, coaching leaders to communicate with genuine impact. Dr. Penn delivers engaging, interactive keynotes that challenge conventional norms and inspire change, emphasising authenticity and human connection in every speech. Her pioneering methods have made her a venerated figure in leadership communication in the digital age.
Official Speaker Feedback:
"This talk represents a new approach to improvement in business communication, but more importantly, it strengthened my sense of purpose and taught me how to have an impact." - Andrew, Head of Accounts for Europe, Catalyx
Hire an Authenticity Keynote Speaker Today!
To hire one of the authenticity speakers featured in this post, or any of the inspirational mental health and wellbeing speakers featured on our website, simply contact us today by filling in our online contact form or by calling one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 1010 553.
This exclusive blog post was written by Sophia Reed, who has accumulated the official data and customer feedback from 523 events and conferences between 2022 and 2024.
