Dr . Jessica Kriegel

Surrender to Lead

The New Leadership Paradigm for an Unpredictable World

The old leadership model of controlling more, pushing harder, and knowing all the answers has reached its limits. In a world shaped by volatility, AI disruption, and cultural fragmentation, the leaders who thrive aren’t the ones gripping tighter. They’re the ones who surrender—not in weakness, but in wisdom.

Based on Dr. Jessica Kriegel’s groundbreaking book Surrender to Lead, this keynote introduces a transformative, counter-intuitive leadership framework for unlocking adaptability, clarity, and resilience. Through powerful storytelling, research-backed insights, and a practical roadmap for application, Jessica shows how surrender is not giving up—it’s giving way to better leadership.

Participants learn how to stop fighting reality, break out of fear-based decision loops, shift their mindset from control to clarity, and take aligned action that propels teams forward. This keynote is emotional, energizing, and deeply practical. It is perfect for organizations facing uncertainty, disruption, or rapid change.

Takeaways:

• Why Surrender is the most underestimated leadership skill of the next decade
• The SHIFT™ framework: a five-step method for leading with clarity, alignment, and accountability
• How surrender unlocks accountability across all levels of teams
• A new model for leadership effectiveness that aligns purpose, strategy and culture

Results-Based Leadership

The Framework for Turning Strategy Into Real Results

In today’s fast-moving environment, vision isn’t enough. Leaders must deliver outcomes. This keynote introduces Jessica’s results-driven methodology rooted in the Results Pyramid™ and the Four Steps to Accountability—a proven framework used by organizations globally to strengthen clarity, alignment, and ownership.

With humor, research, and powerful case studies, Jessica explains how beliefs drive actions, actions drive results, and leaders must intentionally shape each layer to create the culture their strategy requires. This keynote equips leaders at every level with a practical toolkit for transforming accountability from a buzzword into a lived reality.

Takeaways:

• A clear, actionable framework to connect employees to business results
• How to create clarity around expectations at every level of the organization
• The four steps to accountability—and how to hardwire them into daily habits
• Tools to align beliefs, behaviors, and systems to drive consistent performance

Leading Change

The Change Activation Equation

A Practical, Science-Backed Formula for Transforming Your Organization

Change is hard when it’s approached emotionally, but change becomes predictable when done right. Backed by original Stanford research, the Change Activation Equation reveals three quantifiable variables that predict whether change will succeed or stall.

Through data science, unforgettable stories, and a simple four-step process, Jessica shows organizations how to build alignment across teams, accelerate transformation, and eliminate the cultural friction that slows progress. This keynote is perfect for organizations undergoing reorganization, digital transformation, AI integration, strategic shifts, or rapid scaling.

Takeaways:

• The three variables that determine whether transformation takes root
• A four-step model to lead change from any seat in the organization
• How to avoid the cultural traps that derail even well-designed strategies
• A roadmap for becoming a champion of Change Activation

Ignite a Culture of Accountability

How to Get People to Give a Sh*t—Without Fear, Force, or Micromanagement

Accountability isn’t about consequences, it’s about ownership. This energizing keynote, inspired by Jessica’s viral TEDx Talk, reveals the counterintuitive truth about what actually makes people care. Hint: it’s not pressure, policies, or perks.

Jessica breaks down the psychology of ownership and teaches leaders how to inspire, not enforce, accountability. Attendees learn how to apply empathy, clarity, and shared purpose to transform disengagement into dedication. Whether you want to motivate teams, increase follow-through, or strengthen collaboration, this keynote delivers a powerful, practical blueprint.

Takeaways:

• Why traditional accountability systems fail, and what actually works
• A two-part strategy for building ownership and strengthening culture
• Practical tools for igniting passion, engagement, and follow-through
• The Four Steps to Accountability—applied to real organizational challenges