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Eric Termuende

Speaker

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Experienced voice on Leadership, Culture, and the Future of Work

Eric Termuende is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and researcher helping leaders and teams navigate uncertainty and change. For nearly a decade, he has studied leadership, trust, culture, team performance, technology, and the changing nature of work to understand what allows people and organizations to adapt when conditions change. Drawing on research, stories, and work with leading organizations around the world, Eric gives audiences practical tools to create direction, build more adaptable teams, and make progress before every answer is obvious.

Keynote Speeches

BUILT FOR UNCERTAINTY: Leading Teams in a World That Has Never Moved Faster

When the future stops being predictable, most leaders reach for the playbook they know: set the target, build the plan, and push the team toward it. But in a world changing faster than any plan can keep pace with, goals stop matching reality, teams grow tired of constant change, and leaders are left trying to create confidence in a future nobody can clearly see.

In this engaging, insight-filled, actionable presentation, workplace culture and leadership expert Eric Termuende delivers a customized and research-backed operating system for building teams that can move through uncertainty and change. Drawing from his forthcoming book, The Certainty Crisis, Eric shows leaders how to set a direction when the destination is unclear, build the trust required for honest information to travel, and remove the friction that quietly prevents teams from adapting.

Attendees will receive a practical guide to building teams that are more adaptable, aligned, and ready for whatever comes next. They will learn from the experiences of industry leaders, icons, and trailblazers from around the world about how to create clarity without pretending to have certainty, uncover what is slowing their teams down, and use One-Degree Shifts to turn small experiments into momentum and progress.

What audiences come away with:

  • Practical strategies to create clarity and direction through uncertainty
  • Research-backed insights on building trust and adaptability during change
  • Methods for identifying and reducing friction within teams
  • An understanding of how to harness the power of One-Degree Shifts
  • Actionable steps to turn small experiments into a team-wide habit of progress
THE CERTAINTY CRISIS: How to Thrive in a World That Refuses to Stand Still

We were taught to wait for certainty before we move: gather more data, run one more analysis, be sure. But in a world changing faster than any plan can keep up, waiting isn’t caution anymore. It’s the most expensive move we never make. The clarity we’re waiting for isn’t coming. It sits on the other side of a move we haven’t made yet.

Drawing on his forthcoming book, leadership expert Eric Termuende dismantles the myth that the best leaders are the best predictors. After years of studying what separates people who thrive in uncertainty from those who keep moving, he reveals a counterintuitive truth: action leads to clarity, not the other way around. What the best navigators hold isn’t certainty about the destination. It’s directional certainty:  a bearing that survives the surprises that destroy plans.

Eric walks audiences through the three moves at the heart of The Certainty Crisis: setting a direction worth rallying around when the destination is unknowable, becoming the next version of yourself instead of staying loyal to the one that got you here, and making the small, deliberate one-degree shifts that turn being wrong into cheap learning, so clarity compounds while everyone else is still gathering information. Attendees leave with a navigation system for the moments that matter most: the ones where the answer isn’t obvious, and waiting is no longer an option.

What audiences come away with:

  • Why waiting for certainty has quietly become a liability, and what to trade it for
  • The difference between directional certainty and destination certainty
  • A practical method for identifying and closing the Identity Gap
  • An understanding of how to harness the power of One-Degree Shifts
  • Three questions to determine whether to hold the bearing, shift a degree, or change course
BLUEPRINT TO THE FUTURE: Leading in a New World of Work

Whether it is next week’s weather or the yet-to-be created technology that is sure to evolve how we work, the future is truly impossible to predict. And while the trends, charts, and forecasting are interesting, we must shift from trying to anticipate what future looks like to a focus on building resilient systems and teams that can help us navigate whatever the future may bring.

In this engaging, insight-filled, and actionable presentation, workplace culture and leadership expert Eric Termuende delivers a customized and research-backed blueprint that has helped thousands of category-leading teams build trust, remove friction, and prepare for a future that is changing constantly, unpredictably, and faster than ever before.

Attendees will receive a practical guide to building teams that are more productive, engaged, creative, and innovative. They’ll learn from the experiences of industry leaders, icons, and trailblazers from around the world about the importance of building trust, removing friction, and creating a culture of experimentation.

What audiences come away with:

  • Practical strategies to boost trust, resilience, and camaraderie
  • Research-backed insights on building team agility and excitement toward impending change
  • An understanding of how to harness the power of one-degree shifts
  • Methods for finding and reducing friction within teams
  • Actionable steps to cultivate a culture of experimentation, risk free
UNWAVERING: Building Incredible Teams for the Future of Work

Uncertainty is inevitable in the new world of work. In the face of ongoing change, will we see our people running for the exits, or will they be there to support and help each other? Change is happening faster than ever before and building unwavering teams that are resilient, ultra-collaborative, and even excited about that change has never been more important. But how do we build unwavering teams? Trust, empathy, and ongoing experimentation.

Workplace culture and leadership expert Eric Termuende has spent nearly a decade decoding exactly what creates unwavering teams: those that are resilient, rooted in belonging, and have a deep sense of safety and inclusivity. These are the types of teams that thrive through change because they know that while change may be difficult, the only thing worse is standing still. Eric has created a playbook for cultivating unwavering teams, and in this session, attendees will both learn it and be able to take it home with them.

By discovering how to enhance collaboration, developing excitement for all of the possibilities experimentation yields, and deciphering the root of trust across a team, attendees will come away from this session understanding how to become the incredible leader who inspires their teams to perform at their best and stand strong through anything the future may hold.

What audiences come away with:

  • Deep knowledge about the root of collaboration and how to enhance it across the team
  • Research-backed insights around trust, psychological safety, and belonging at work
  • How to enhance excitement about change and how to involve the whole team in the process
  • The most important question to ask to get engagement and buy-in
  • Why the future is something to be excited about, not scared of
SNOWFLAKES AND FINGERPRINTS: How to Attract Top Talent in the Future of Work

Regardless of where we look, talent shortages are impacting nearly every industry, and competition is fierce. With an entire generation on the precipice of retirement, and not enough workers ready to replace them, the situation is only going to get fiercer. More than ever before, we need to do whatever we can to attract and retain top talent. But what is that? After a decade of research on the world’s greatest places to work, workplace culture and leadership expert Eric Termuende has the answer.

Like snowflakes and fingerprints, it all comes down to uniqueness. The days of job listings demanding an extensive list of skills and attributes from potential employees are gone. Instead, we need to talk about the larger workplace experience and the difference our organizations are making in the world. To attract the right talent in today’s environment, we must plant our metaphorical flag in the ground and emphasize what makes us, as employers, different from the rest.

In this fun and takeaway-filled presentation, attendees will not only learn how to create their own compelling stories to attract the right talent to their organization, but they’ll also leave with a talent attraction framework they can continue to refine as the world of work keeps evolving.

What audiences come away with:

  • Actionable ways to create and share a unique, sticky, and impactful employee value proposition
  • Key strategies for leveraging your best recruiters (a.k.a. your existing team)
  • An understanding of why creating a ‘best’ place to work might not mean what you think it does (and what licorice, cilantro, and pineapple pizza has to do with it)
  • Knowledge of where culture lives, and how to adapt your story based on the team/location you’re hiring for

Audience reviews:

  • Following a great keynote at the Northwest Credit Union Association, we brought Eric in for two keynotes with our branches. His high-energy, insightful, and timely information was perfect for us as we navigate the future of work and continue to build an incredible workplace. His message was so well-received that we’re bringing Eric back for another event later this year (2022) and look forward to all he has to offer. - LCCU Credit Union
  • I knew you’d have a great keynote, but seeing you in action on that stage was truly something else. I love the balance between entertaining the audience and challenging them to think differently. Your presence on stage, storytelling ability, and genuine connection to the audience were palpable and powerful. Our conference was better because of your message and delivery. I know our team is looking forward to another opportunity to work with you again. - Farm Credit Services
  • Eric delivered a high energy, engaging and informative keynote that left our people leaders inspired, informed and committed to shifting 1 degree... Eric has a gift for deep listening, challenging the status quo and confidently sharing his stories with humility, humor at a world class standard.

    - Senior Manager of People & Culture, Arc'teryx
  • You absolutely knocked it out of the park & nothing but amazing feedback & accolades for you. I anticipate many inquiries will come your way. This was a special day for us and you made it exceptional. - Paramedic Chiefs
  • Eric's keynote was awesome, all the comments back have been fabulous. - COO, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Wow, just WOW. Safe to say that was the best virtual presentation we’ve done yet, and not just for this event! The comments section definitely showcased that. Thank you very much for that incredible presentation. - Senior Conference Producer, Key Media
  • In addition to being a very fun person to work with, Eric was very generous of his time and an amazing presenter that our customers love!!!! His story was very inspiring and helped people with a different perspective during these difficult times. - Senior Manager Commercial Business Marketing, Dell Canada
  • We had the opportunity to bring Eric in as the keynote speaker for our annual strategic planning workshop with all of our Senior Leaders. Eric did an excellent job of helping us understand and connect the links between strategy and culture with some “one degree shifts” in our thinking about people and process. This slight change in our thinking was a great catalyst for the subsequent discussions as we built out our strategies for the coming year. - VP Human Resources, Toyota Material Handling
  • Eric delivered a session to over 100 attendees at our virtual session on public speaking and presentation skills and blew our group away! He was the most captive speaker we’ve had and there was intention behind his entire presentation, whether that included where he sat, what was behind him, how he looked directly at the camera, how he personalized the content even with a large group and so much more. Given the topic, we even got a behind the scenes tour of his virtual presentation setup which was so impressive and thought out. Everyone felt engaged and connected throughout the session, almost feeling like we were with Eric in real life. - Director of Community, League of Innovators
  • His charismatic energy was electrifying and contagious. He gave us a great insight on where retail is headed and what we need to be successful. The managers’ feedback was exceptionally positive. They were left inspired and enlightened.

    - VP of Retail Operations, INDOCHINO
  • I found Eric to be a highly credible, engaging and relevant speaker that connects with all levels of leadership. Eric’s insights are well articulated and provide examples and ideas that are critical to an organization looking to improve engagement and retain the right talent.

    - Vice President, Human Resources & Corporate Services, Keyera Corp
  • Eric was absolutely fantastic this morning. He was incredibly well received, so much so that, at least in my 20 or so years attending this conference, I've never seen so many questions asked of a presenter. Thank you so much for your help in setting this all up. Our expectations of an energetic, interesting and engaging keynote speaker were definitely exceeded. - Incoming Executive VP and Workshop Chair, Canadian Property Tax Association (National Office)
  • Eric led our attendees through an engaging discussion on Gen Y and their engagement with the workforce. People joined in the discussion with questions and comments, evidence that he reached and motivated them. His fresh perspective challenged our members to be aware of the needs of young talent, and helped them better answer the important question “What do Millennials want?” I endorse Eric as a speaker, and as a thought-leader.

    - Executive Director, Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers
  • Eric did an excellent job of communicating to our membership where our workforce is headed and what we needed to do to accommodate trends in the workplace. His use of visuals and presentation style made a complex topic manageable for our audience. He is a captivating presenter and prompted a lot of discussion.

    - Director of Communications, Alberta Forest Products Association
  • Eric is a passionate speaker and his messages transcend generations. He connects easily with Millennial and Gen-Y audiences, as well as the other 3 generations in the workplace. He’s funny, professional and on point, either in prepared remarks or in informal discussion.

    - Director of Marketing & Communications, Calgary Chamber
  • What a world it would be if we viewed people as "human beings, not humandoings"! He's spoken at several of our conferences, and has become a favourite among our delegates. Engaging, smart, to the point and very relevant.

    - Senior Conference & Marketing Director, Informa Canada
  • [Eric's] presentation was fantastic. People were really buzzing later about [his] key points and good presentation skills, very well done. - Director of Training & Events, Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association
  • Over the last three years, we have had the pleasure of working with many great speakers to host virtual events for the interest and benefit of our clients. Leading up to the event, Eric was efficient and professional in ensuring every detail was agreed, going as far as letting us choose the appropriate style/tone for our audience. At the event itself, his talk delivered with ideas and insights that anyone, regardless of position or seniority, can draw from. Eric is a standout speaker that virtually any audience could take lessons from. - Insurance Professional

Speaker Biography

Eric Termuende is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and researcher focused on one of the defining leadership challenges of our time: how to navigate uncertainty and change when the world refuses to stand still.

For over a decade, Eric has studied leadership, trust, culture, team performance, technology, and the changing nature of work. His work explores why traditional approaches to planning and leadership can break down when conditions change quickly, and what allows people, leaders, and teams to continue moving when the path ahead is unclear.

Eric challenges the idea that the best leaders are the best predictors. Instead, his research shows the importance of creating direction without pretending to have certainty, building the trust required for honest information to travel, reducing the friction that slows teams down, and making small, deliberate One-Degree Shifts that turn action into information and progress.

Eric has brought his research and ideas to hundreds of stages around the world, working with leaders and teams at organizations including Amazon, Toyota, IBM, Coca-Cola, Lockheed Martin, Nationwide, Zoom, and Nokia. His ideas have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc., and his first book, Rethink Work, became a bestselling resource for leaders navigating the changing world of work.

On stage, Eric combines a researcher’s curiosity with a storyteller’s instinct and a speaker’s sense of the room. Known for his energy, humor, and highly customized approach, he makes serious ideas feel immediately relevant and practical. Audiences leave with more than inspiration. They leave with a clearer way to lead, adapt, and move forward when the future is uncertain.

WHY ERIC

  • A founder-turned-speaker with original frameworks that make complex ideas simple, memorable, and actionable
  • Hundreds of stages and experience with some of the world’s most recognized organizations
  • Deep customization that makes every keynote feel built for the room
  • Research, humor, and storytelling that make serious ideas stick
  • Practical tools audiences can use before they are back at their desks

BOOK ERIC WHEN…

  • Your leaders are navigating constant change and uncertainty.
  • The strategy is changing faster than the plan.
  • Teams are experiencing change fatigue or losing confidence in what comes next.
  • AI, disruption, or industry shifts are creating more questions than answers.
  • Leaders need practical tools to move before every answer is obvious.
  • You want a keynote that is energetic and inspiring without sacrificing substance or action.

CORE SPEAKING TOPICS

Leadership

Peak Performance

Communication

Change

Global Leadership

CEO

Business Performance

Innovation

Human Resources

Business Strategy

Future Trends

Organization Skills

Future of Work

Business Trends

Storytellers

Corporate Culture

Teambuilding

Humor

Business Culture

Employee Engagement

Entrepreneur

Disruption

Growth Mindset

Bestselling Author

Resilience

Management

TED Talks

 

 

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