John Izzo

Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Engagement Pioneer

John Izzo Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type
$10,001 - $20,000
Languages Spoken
English
Travels From
Canada

John Izzo Keynote Speaker Fee Fee range is for U.S. events, depending on location and organization type
$10,001 - $20,000
Languages Spoken
English
Travels From
Canada

Why John Izzo

Discover the secrets to truly high engagement workplaces with practical strategies leaders can use right away
Find out how to create ownership culture and how to Step Up to take 100% responsibility
Find a way to get people to embrace and create change

Suggested Keynote Speaker Programs

The Circle Secret of Winning Teams

There’s a story about Phil Jackson, famed coach of the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers, who would meet with every player one by one at the start of every season. He’d draw a circle on a board and ask, “If this circle is the team, where do you see yourself?” ...

There’s a story about Phil Jackson, famed coach of the Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers, who would meet with every player one by one at the start of every season. He’d draw a circle on a board and ask, “If this circle is the team, where do you see yourself?”

His theory was that he could never have a winning team if the players felt they were outside the circle. Everyone needed a place. Everyone needed a say. The stars in the middle of these circles – the Michael Jordans, the Shaquille O’Neals – had reason to include others out of their own self-interest (to win!), not necessarily because they felt it was the right thing to do. In his book Eleven Rings, Jackson talks about the first time he asked Kobe Bryant where he saw himself. Kobe put himself at the very center of the circle. When asked why he said, “Because I ask myself, if anyone on the team doesn’t feel part of the circle or isn’t doing their best, I ask, what am I doing to help them feel part of the team?” In other words, Bryant saw his privilege as a responsibility to make others feel included.

Leading Your Team from the Circle

The bottom line is that as leaders who want to have a winning team, it is our job to know exactly where our people are in the circle. All our organizations have some people who naturally and easily feel part of the circle. Yet we know that diverse teams where people feel included perform better and make better decisions. If introverts feel out of the circle in our team, we miss their wisdom. If women and people of color feel excluded, then they won’t ever perform at their best. If people who challenge the status quo feel outside the circle, we won’t ever have the divergent thinking we need for innovation. You get the idea. Leading from the circle requires listening and helping those at the center of the circle to listen deeply to the experiences of those who feel left out. This requires empathy and honesty about who is in and who is not.

The Circle Frames our Largest Problems

I have applied the circle metaphor as a way for those with more privilege to think about how to wisely use that privilege for the common good. Two of societies’ biggest current challenges serve as examples: Climate change and the COVID pandemic.

Climate change can’t be solved by one nation, it requires a team effort. Those at the center of the circle need to think about the needs of those on the outside of the circle. Developed nations like the United States and Canada built their economies on the back of carbon emissions and have the most resources to solve the problem, yet the largest net new polluters are in the developing world. We will only reach a solution when those at the center think about how they can help those who were left out of the previous boom.

The COVID pandemic serves as another example. Rich nations have had unparalleled privilege in our access to vaccines. Relatively little effort was put into thinking about how to ramp up production so vaccines could be deployed globally. The consequence is that new variants like Delta emerge from the developed world, bringing on successive waves even in largely vaccinated countries. Imagine if from the beginning, full out effort had been made to think of how to meet the needs of those not at the center of the circle?

Many of our greatest problems stem from not thinking of who and whose interests must be considered in the circle. For example, nature has hardly been considered in major societal decision making for decades, even though clearly we can’t win as a species if the rest of nature doesn’t thrive. When we take the needs of nature into consideration, and give it voice in the circle, we find new ways to win. A great example of a win is in marine protected areas and “no catch” zones. Almost everywhere in the world where protected areas have been established, the catch of fish outside those zones has increased. By considering the needs of nature and humans, we all win.

Thanks to Phil Jackson for this simple idea. Our job as leaders is to include everyone in the circle, not only because it is the right thing to do but because you won’t ever win long term unless you do.

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100% Responsibility 0% Excuses - Leading for Ownership & Responsibility

Taking responsibility means “Stepping up” and seeing yourself as the agent of change, whether it is changing your company or changing the world–it starts with you. In this hard hitting keynote Dr. John Izzo talks about a concept he calls 100-0 (100% ...

Taking responsibility means “Stepping up” and seeing yourself as the agent of change, whether it is changing your company or changing the world–it starts with you.

In this hard hitting keynote Dr. John Izzo talks about a concept he calls 100-0 (100% Responsibility 0 % Excuses) and how each one of us can take greater accountability when we put our excuses aside by focusing on what we can do and the role we play. He gets leaders from the CEO to the front line thinking about what they can do personally to step up.

Your leaders will leave knowing the main reasons why people don’t step up to take responsibility; the keys to getting people to take ownership; and how to influence people to create a culture of ownership.

John brings compelling examples of how leaders and companies achieved optimal results by creating true ownership. Your audience will get practical ideas and proven methods for getting people to “own” it by inspiring people to see what’s in it for them personally when they step up and how it improves their personal brand.

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Leading on Purpose—Winning People with the Why

If you really want your people to be engaged and bring their best to work then you need to make sure they have a deep sense of purpose. Research shows that people who see the purpose of their work are more productive, work longer hours and are more engaged. ...

If you really want your people to be engaged and bring their best to work then you need to make sure they have a deep sense of purpose. Research shows that people who see the purpose of their work are more productive, work longer hours and are more engaged.

We also know that when people feel inspired by the purpose of your company or organization they are more deeply committed, more willing to change, and serve customers more powerfully.

Dr. John Izzo first introduced the idea of higher purpose at work in his book, Awakening Corporate Soul and has been showing leaders for over 20 years how to create a workplace where people are connected to the highest purpose of their work.

In this keynote, John not only shows why purpose is so critical but provides audiences proven methods to drive purpose and the “why” with their teams.

In this engaging Keynote John explains WHY purpose matters and drives home how to drive the WHY on a daily basis in your organization. Leaders will leave with tangible actions to get the most out of their teams.

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Stepping Up—How Taking Responsibility Changes Everything

Have you ever wondered why some people step up and create positive change in the world and in business? Dr. John Izzo inspires audiences how “stepping up” creates positive change while improving satisfaction at work and in life. Based on his ...

Have you ever wondered why some people step up and create positive change in the world and in business?

Dr. John Izzo inspires audiences how “stepping up” creates positive change while improving satisfaction at work and in life.

Based on his bestselling book Stepping Up, John motivates people about important principles such as:

Why only naïve people ever change the world
The way each of us can step up every day in our lives to make a bigger difference
Show how leadership is not a position but a decision to lead

Filled with inspiring examples of how people have stepped up to make things better, audiences will leave feeling inspired that their individual actions can make a difference in the workplace, our lives and the for the Greater Good of the world.

People will leave feeling motivated to take action immediately by focusing on what they can do personally to drive change rather than to rely on others.

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The Secrets of Highly Engaging Workplaces and Leaders

Organizations with high levels of employee engagement are significantly more profitable, have much higher customer loyalty, stronger productivity and a better reputation with customers than those with moderate engagement. In fact, the average HIGHLY engaged team member can be ...

Organizations with high levels of employee engagement are significantly more profitable, have much higher customer loyalty, stronger productivity and a better reputation with customers than those with moderate engagement. In fact, the average HIGHLY engaged team member can be up to 40% more productive than a disengaged performer.

But what are the secrets to highly engaged teams and highly engaged companies? Why do some leaders consistently create highly engaged associates?

Dr. John Izzo has spent a lifetime researching what separates truly passionate, high engagement teams and leaders from the rest of the pack. In this keynote, John shares the four keys to creating high engagement teams and shows why some leaders are consistently able to get high levels of commitment from people. John gives the audience day-to- day practices for how leaders can immediately drive engagement for better results.

Based on his work with many of the best workplaces in the world, John shows leaders how to implement simple disciplines and routines guaranteed to create highly engaged teams.

Your leaders will not only see their role in driving engagement but will leave with ideas they can implement right away that will lead to significantly higher engagement.

John has a great track record of getting leaders to become engagement champions. He’ll leave the audience with a leadership checklist that shows leaders the most important things to do everyday to drive engagement and ultimately profits.

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Leading for Transformational Change: Turning Resistance into Results

Would you like your people to consistently embrace change and create ongoing innovation? Almost every organization today is experiencing unprecedented change and also needing to drive innovation and transformation to stay successful. Dr. John Izzo has ...

Would you like your people to consistently embrace change and create ongoing innovation?

Almost every organization today is experiencing unprecedented change and also needing to drive innovation and transformation to stay successful. Dr. John Izzo has spent an entire career helping leaders and organizations not only embrace change but inspiring them for transformational change.

Your audience will discover proven methods for getting others to embrace change. John explains the neuroscience behind change and how to use that knowledge to help others embrace change. The audience will discover the keys to personal resilience and learn how to create a climate for innovation and understand the true source of change resistance and how to overcome it in yourself and your organization.

This talk is hard hitting, practical and guaranteed to get your people stepping up to change.

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THE PURPOSE REVOLUTION: WINNING THE EMERGING CUSTOMER, EMPLOYEE & INVESTOR

The new economy is going to be driven by an emerging group of people all over the world who want their employment, investing and buying to shape a better world while meeting their self oriented needs...

The new economy is going to be driven by an emerging group of people all over the world who want their employment, investing and buying to shape a better world while meeting their self oriented needs. This book shows how a new driver of choice is happening worldwide whereby consumers, employees and investors are using purpose and community as a major driver of their commitments. This new driver is present worldwide and cuts across almost all demographic barriers including age, developing/developing world, politics, religious affiliation and income level. Those companies who understand and respond to this Aspirational person will create game changing competitive advantage. Rather than thinking of this person as a consumer, employee or investor we need to begin to realize this is the same person and we need to attract them on all three fronts at once. This new person wants to shop, loves brands, is often active on social media and loves to share stories. They want to consume but want “consumption without conflict” where they feel they are helping society, planet and themselves. Winning this new rising class of people who want good for self, good for people and good for planet alongside a sense of community/tribe is a spot of true differentiation. These people want doing well and doing good to sit side by side as they live their lives. They simply want it all and if you can give it you will succeed.

Your audience will:

Understand this rising class and how different they are from every class of buyers, investors and employees that have come before them
Discover the drivers of their choices
Learn practical ways to grow your market share, brand loyalty and engagement of this new group
Hear eye popping examples of how companies like yours are already winning these people worldwide and find out how you can do the same
Discover how to use your own power as an Conflict Free Consumer to change the future
Customize to your industry and focus

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About Keynote Speaker John Izzo

John Izzo’s Motivational Speaker Accomplishments Include . . .

Dr John Izzo is the bestselling author of seven books including the international bestsellers Awakening Corporate Soul, Values Shift, The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, The Five Thieves of Happiness and Stepping Up.

John’s passion for helping organizations activate purpose with employees and customers has inspired him to write his 8th book, The Purpose Revolution-How Leaders Create Engagement in an Age of Social Good, scheduled for release in early 2018.

Over the last twenty years, he has spoken to over one million people, taught at three major universities, advised over 500 organizations and is frequently featured in the media by the likes of Fast Company, PBS, CBC, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and INC Magazine. He has advised some of the best companies in the world on activating purpose including DuPont, TELUS, Manulife, McDonald’s, SAPA, RBC, Lockheed Martin, Qantas Airlines, Humana, Microsoft, and the Mayo Clinic.

Questions? Contact Us Any Time:

805.965.1400

info@bigspeak.com

John was a pioneer in the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability movements and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia where he is a co-founder of The Men’s Initiative which is dedicated to creating a more equitable, compassionate and sustainable world through enhancing the wellbeing and integrity of men.” John also serves on the Advisory Board of Sustainable Brands.

He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication.

Testimonials

“John is a truly inspiring speaker, whose candid approach and storytelling capability reinforced key messages with the audience. He did a great job of challenging our current thinking, forcing us to look at our own culture and the role each of us plays in making the desired transformation. I have no doubt that John’s contribution to our leadership forums at TELUS has had a profound impact on evolving our culture.”

Andrew Turner

TELUS, Vice President of Learning & Performance

“Dr. John Izzo’s presentation was stimulating, thought provoking and entertaining all at the same time. We were truly amazed how Dr. Izzo was able to incorporate our company’s values and core beliefs into his presentation. We felt like he had been a 20 year member of the team. Very well done, Sir!”

Dr. Chad Overman

Walmart Director, Professional Relations

“We worked with John at our 2011 National Owner/Operator conference. Our Owner/Operator’s were inspired and left with the desire to put into action many of John’s ideas. John’s ability to share his knowledge through story telling left us all wanting more. Over the years, we have heard many speakers and John is by far one of the best” !

Michele Boudria

National Director of Training, McDonalds

From my perspective, I couldn’t have asked for more. You were unbelievably committed to your goal of understanding what was happening in our environment and linking that into your messaging. Through our interactions, you listened for language that I was using and wove it into your presentation, to create an important and meaningful connection for attendees. The result was a session that left people engaged, motivated and genuinely inspired to go out into the world not just better Sales Consultants, but better people. I sincerely hope the opportunity presents itself, for our paths to cross again.

Sally Bottone

Head, Sales Effectiveness & Advisor Development I RBC Insurance Services Inc

Dr. Izzo provided our industry attendees with a very succinct and important message regarding leadership accountability. His message received high praise from the attendees and enabled a very successful event.

Reggie Arsenault

National Association of Business Aviation Leadership Conference Co-Chair

John Izzo was a hit! We appreciated that he took time to understand our industry and customized the keynote address to deliver a strong impact. We received lots of compliments on the relevance of his message and his dynamic, personable style.

Tara Mattina

Communications Director, The Northwest Seaport Alliance

“John spoke with our team and instantly connected with them. Not only did he share some very insightful leadership advice, but he also provided them with practical tips to take away and implement upon their return to their businesses. The energy levels from our team were high on the day but what’s important is that they have been sustained afterwards as our team works to become better leaders – in their businesses, and in their lives. Thanks again for all of your contributions, they are certainly being felt in our organization.

Aaron Abrams

President & CEO, Molly Mail