Ryan Gottfredson

Getting to 6th Gear: The Leadership Operating System Upgrade for a Complex World
Most leaders try to meet today’s complexity by driving harder in 5th gear—more urgency, more control, more strain. It works until friction rises: decision churn, burnout, and leaders becoming bottlenecks.

6th Gear Leadership is the operating system upgrade that shifts leaders into clarity, trust, and long-term capacity—so they go faster with less friction (higher speed, lower RPMs).

This isn’t motivational fluff—it translates cutting-edge leadership and mindset research into a practical framework leaders can use immediately—and deepen over time.

Emotional Intelligence 3.0: Rewiring the Inner Operating System of Leadership
Emotional intelligence is essential for leading in today’s fast-paced, pressure-filled world. Yet while most professionals recognize its importance, few know how to truly elevate it in meaningful, lasting ways. In this eye-opening keynote, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson—Wall Street Journal best-selling author and leading expert in vertical development—introduces Emotional Intelligence 3.0, a next-level framework that uncovers the real key to transformation: emotional intelligence isn’t something you do; it’s something you’re wired for. If leaders want to grow in their emotional intelligence, they must awaken to and upgrade the internal operating system that governs how they see, process, and relate to the world around them. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience and his groundbreaking research on mindsets and leadership, Ryan equips audiences with the insights and tools to rewire themselves—unlocking deeper emotional agility, stronger connection, and more powerful leadership.

The Overlooked Secret to Elevating Your Leaders? Help Them Heal from Their Past Trauma
Do you have leaders who micromanage, constantly put out fires, or struggle to navigate complexity? Most do—and most don’t realize why. These challenges aren’t just performance issues; they’re often signs of deeper, unaddressed trauma. Research shows that nearly 80% of people have experienced trauma that has rewired their body’s internal operating system—causing them to lead from self-protection rather than value creation. In this powerful and eye-opening keynote, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson—PhD, Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and global expert in vertical development—helps leaders and organizations uncover the hidden driver of ineffective leadership. He guides audiences to understand (1) how past pain shapes current leadership struggles, (2) the current level of sophistication they’re operating from, and (3) how to heal their minds, bodies, and hearts so they can lead with greater clarity, agility, and impact. The path to elevated leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about healing what’s holding them back.

ADHD and Leadership: Turning a Hidden Challenge into a Superpower
ADHD is far more prevalent in the workplace than most realize—and often goes undetected. In fact, research suggests that up to 80% of adults with ADHD don’t know they have it. While ADHD can fuel creativity, energy, and bold thinking, when left unaddressed, it can also create chaos, impulsivity, and emotional reactivity—placing a hard ceiling on a leader’s effectiveness. In this eye-opening and empowering keynote, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson—PhD, Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and expert in vertical development—helps audiences understand the surprising impact of undiagnosed ADHD on leadership. He breaks down the unique benefits and drawbacks of ADHD, shares the key signals leaders should watch for, and provides practical guidance for turning ADHD into an asset rather than a liability. Leaders will walk away with a new lens for understanding their inner world—and the tools to harness their neurodiverse wiring as a true leadership advantage.