Travels From New South Wales
Speaker Topics
Influence 2.0 - Mastering the Art of Opening Minds
Nothing changes until minds do. While persuading others has always been challenging, it has never been more difficult.
In this era of high turbulence and low trust, many traditional influence techniques are increasingly ineffective. We can easily fall into the trap of using 19th and 20th century tactics for trying to change 21st century minds
This practical, thought-provoking keynote draws on the latest discoveries in neuroscience and behavioral psychology to explore:
- Why people are NOT actually AFRAID OF CHANGE - and the surprising truth about what really drives RESISTANCE in individuals and teams.
- How to spark the sort of CURIOSITY that leads to BOLD, GAME-CHANGING ideas.
- A COUNTERINTUITIVE and research-backed approach to DEFUSING DEFENSIVENESS.
- How to help others embrace NEW POSSIBILITIES and PERSPECTIVES while affirming their DIGNITY, AGENCY, and AUTONOMY.
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for navigating uncertainty and emerging stronger than ever.
So, whether you’re aiming to influence customer choices, team dynamics, or organizational culture, this keynote will give you the tools for powerful, lasting impact.
Read lessMastering the Art of Momentum - The secret to achieving effortless and enduring growth
We all love being on a roll, in the zone and firing on all cylinders – that flow-state sensation where everything just seems to work.
But what happens when the groove becomes a rut, inspiration evaporates or your mojo disappears?
Enduring success and growth for any business today is dependent on building and maintaining unstoppable momentum.
In this inspiring keynote presentation, audiences discover:
- The art and science of momentum – where momentum comes from and why it makes all the difference when you’ve got it working for you
- A practical and powerful formula for building momentum individually or in a team
- How to get into a flow state of peak productivity on a daily basis
- The role that focus and consistency play in ensuring a groove doesn’t become a rut over time
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for achieving effortless growth and maintaining it over the long haul.
Mastering the Art of Momentum is an ideal stand-alone conference keynote or an extended half or full day program.
Read lessPreparing Now for What is Next - How to thrive in an age of uncertainty
It’s been rightly said that the pace of change has never been this fast, but it will never again be this slow. We are living in a transformative era and smart leaders know that now is the time for audacity, adaptability, and agility.
Enormous opportunities lie ahead for those who can identify the trends of tomorrow and gear up for them today.
In this fast-paced & compelling keynote presentation, audiences will discover:
- The key trends that will shape the coming decade with a specific focus on the impacts of GENERATIVE AI, DATA ANALYTICS and SPATIAL COMPUTING.
- The role GEN Z will play in redefining industry norms and consumer expectations.
- The common CULTURE and MINDSET TRAPS that will set any organization on a collision course with obsolescence - and how to avoid them.
- PROVEN and PRACTICAL STRATEGIES for staying one step ahead of change and REMAINING RELEVANT.
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for navigating disruption and emerging stronger than ever.
Preparing Now For What's Next is an ideal stand-alone conference keynote or an extended half or full day program.
Read lessTeaching for Tomorrow - How to equip students today for the future
Students in classrooms today will enter a world very different to the one their teachers and parents have known.
In light of the uncertainty that lies ahead, it is more important than ever that educators keep their finger on the pulse of technological and societal trends in order to help students prepare for them.
In this practical and highly relevant keynote presentation, audiences will learn:
- The key social and technology trends that will shape the future including artificial intelligence, robotics and automation
- The skills and competencies that young people will need in order to be future-fit
- Why and how education practices and paradigms must evolve in the coming years
- A range of proven and practical strategies for making classroom learning relevant to the next generation of learners
Audience members will leave this presentation with a clear action plan for engaging today’s students while equipping them for tomorrow.
Teaching for Tomorrow is an ideal stand-alone conference keynote or an extended half or full day program.
Read lessMichael McQueen
Award-Winning Speaker and Bestselling Author, Inspiring Strategies for Thriving in a Changing World
Michael McQueen, formerly named Australia’s Keynote Speaker of the Year, is a successful trend forecaster and change strategist, passionate about preparing brands and organisations for the future and helping them to stay ahead of the curve. With an extensive background in marketing and research, in 2004 Michael established the training consultancy ‘Nexgen Group’, where he worked with brands like Toyota, Mastercard, Adidas, Google, and Pepsi.
Michael is also the bestselling author of 10 books, with the latest, ‘Mindstuck – Mastering the Art of Changing Minds’, being released worldwide in late 2023. This book culminated 9 years of rigorous research surrounding the psychology behind stubbornness, examining why people don’t change even when they want to. The reception of Mindstuck was overwhelmingly positive, with endorsements from Adam Grant, Susan Cain, Malcolm Gladwell, and Daniel Pink, who all praised it as a "must-read". The book was highlighted in a range of prominent publications, including Forbes, Fast Company, and The Guardian, and was recognised as one of the top five new leadership books of 2024.
His latest research builds on many themes explored in Michael’s earlier work. His first three books focused on bridging the generational divide, specifically on how to lead and connect with Millennials and Gen Z. The next five delved into strategies for navigating disruption and sustaining momentum during turbulent times. With the release of ‘Teaching for Tomorrow’, Michael shifted his focus to how schools and educators can prepare students for the future while keeping their professional practices relevant. Additionally, ‘The New Now’ examined how COVID-19 accelerated change and reshaped how we live, work, and interact with brands.
Michael has spoken to over 500,000 people across 5 continents since 2004 and shared the stage with numerous notable figures including Bill Gates, Mel Robbins, Dr. John Maxwell, and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Renowned for his highly engaging, entertaining and practical conference presentations, Michael was also being induction into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. Michael can also be seen regularly featuring as a commentator on TV and radio and is a familiar face on the international conference circuit.
Michael McQueen is a highly sought-after speaker, whose engaging presentations never fail to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Whether addressing a global conference or a focused business event, Michael creates an impactful experience, combining practical insights and strategies with engaging storytelling to empower leaders and teams to thrive in an ever-evolving world.