10 Leadership Qualities That Make Corporate Keynote Speakers Unforgettable and Impactful

Your choice for a keynote speaker for your corporate event is perhaps the single most important decision in the entire planning process. But what qualities should you seek when making your selection?

An underrated quality of a keynote speaker is his leadership ability. He may not have to lead a team or ensure the completion of any projects, but nonetheless, when you hire a keynote speaker you are hiring a leader: someone you want your company to listen to and willingly choose to follow their advice and counsel.

So how do you determine whether your chosen corporate keynote speaker has the leadership qualities that will best serve your company’s goals? Here are ten qualities to look for as you make the perfect choice.

Authenticity

In order to trust someone enough to follow their leadership, audience members need to be able to sense authenticity and integrity from the speaker. If his belief in his own advice is suspect, the listeners will sense this and choose not to adopt his principles.

Confidence

All leaders need a degree of confidence to be able to plot a course and hew to that line despite adversity. A keynote speaker is no exception. They need to be able to handle challenges smoothly and stand up to opposition calmly.

Adaptability

Like any leader, a good keynote speaker can adapt his message for the needs at hand. He will strive to understand your company’s goals and tailor his message and advice in order to contribute toward reaching those goals.

Charisma

Charismatic leaders have an undefinable quality that draws people to want to emulate them and participate in their ambitions. This is just as important for a keynote speaker as it is for a manager or a CEO, and a charismatic keynote speaker will have far more impact than another speaker with the exact same message but less magnetism.

Vision

Great leaders have a clear vision for the future, as well as an actionable plan on how to achieve it. A keynote speaker should have a similar worldview, a vision of how a company should look with their advice being implemented, and have steps that each employee can take to catch the vision and contribute to the desired outcome.

Clarity

There is no room for ambiguity in leadership. A good leader has a specific goal or set of goals and doesn’t let distractions or diversions get in the way.

Similarly, a good keynote speaker knows how to stay on task, and to convey his vision in a way that keeps the audience invested in the narrative he conveys and looking for ways to implement his advice.

Persuasiveness

If a keynote speaker’s ideas are going to make an impact on the company trajectory, they are certain to face opposition. Like any leader, a good keynote speaker can respond to opposition with reasoned arguments and a gracious spirit.

Credibility

A leader with integrity will stick to his areas of expertise so that they can be certain of steering those they are leading in the right direction. A keynote speaker should also have expertise and proven credentials in their area of specialty so that no one can question whether they are qualified to speak.

Inclusivity

A great leader knows how to reach out to those of different backgrounds and cultures, and show them a way to participate in the goals of the group that maximizes their strengths and makes the most of their unique contributions. A good keynote speaker is no different, reaching across cultural differences and bringing all listeners together toward a common goal.

Humility

Finally, a great leader and a great keynote speaker exhibit true humility. They are ready to listen to suggestions and can meet skepticism and criticism with kindness and grace.

Find a keynote speaker with all of these qualities and you will virtually guarantee an amazing corporate event for all of your employees and colleagues.