Gary Bradt Speaker Biography
Author, Clinical Psychologist, Change & Leadership Consultant, and C-Suite Executive Coach
Dr. Gary Bradt is speaker and writer who help individuals and organizations adapt to change faster and better. Dr. Bradt gained national attention in 2000 when Dr. Spencer Johnson, the renowned author of Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life, chose him as the leading speaker on the message of that blockbuster bestselling book which has sold over 28 million copies worldwide. “Cheese” gave thousands of people the chance to get acquainted with Gary’s extraordinary ability to cut through their frustration and fear and get to the heart of the matter; delivering powerful tools that help them adapt to change faster and better.
Clients
Gary Bradt is uniquely qualified to deliver advice, counsel and strategies on leading change. He has spoken for clients all over the globe including IBM, American Express, eBay, FedEx, Proctor & Gamble, Prudential, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, VISA, NASA, GlaxoSmithKline, Capital One, and hundreds more.
Keynote Speaker
As a speaker, what makes Gary Bradt special is his ability to engage audiences: his warmth, his humor, his content, his ability to get people to absorb his message and put it to use. More than anything, Gary is genuine. His storytelling, examples and exercises are authentic and bring his principles to life in a way few other communicators can.
Overcoming Obstacles
Because change happens in our personal lives too, Gary Bradt delivers a powerful message on that front. He is a husband and father who learned to cope with one of the toughest challenges of all, a child’s chronic, life-threatening illness, and shares his personal narrative with audiences when appropriate.
Education
Dr. Bradt earned his BA in psychology from Duquesne, University in Pittsburgh PA. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Hahnemann University and Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, which in 2007 honored him with the “Excellence in Professional Psychology” award. Only the second graduate to be so recognized at the time, this award underscored Dr. Bradt’s contributions to the field of professional psychology through his achievements as world-class speaker, author, and leadership expert.
Leadership Through Change
Gary’s latest book is Change: The Tools You Need For The Life You Want At Work And Home. He serves as president of Bradt Leadership, Inc. a leadership consulting firm he co-founded with his wife, Dr. Peggy Bradt, in 1993. He resides in North Carolina with Peggy. They have two grown children.
Gary Bradt Speaking Topics
The Science And Practice Of Leading Change: How To Build a Culture of Resilience
Change is like running a marathon with unexpected barriers and hurdles thrown in. It's hard because it's hard. However, with proper motivation, preparation, and leadership, change can be an exhilarating and rewarding journey. That is the purpose and essence of Gary's foundational keynote: to empower and inspire audiences to heights of success they never thought possible when leading themselves and others through change. Keynote highlights: • Every change creates opportunities. However, you have to work to find them. • Leading others means learning to manage yourself first • Values don’t change. Use them as a compass to point the way through change. • Develop grit and optimistic thinking at every level of your organization • Learn how to let go of whatever is holding you down or holding you back • Learn how to build strong relationships before change hits • Grow where you’re planted. Find a way. No excuses. Outcomes and takeaways: • Audiences leave inspired to immediately act on what they’ve heard and experienced • They will have memorable stories and anecdotes to help with learning and retention • They will be energized and ready to share what they have learned with others • They will be empowered to take advantage of the opportunities change always creates, at work and in life. Note: Gary adapts this keynote for both public and private sector companies across industries. He can target it toward a variety of audiences, including C-Suite executives, mid-level managers, sales & marketing, finance, operations, and human resources.
How to Build a Culture of Engagement and Innovation
Rapid change requires nimble and quick decision-making at all levels of the organization. This requires an engaged and innovative workforce. Sadly, research reveals that many organizations fall far short of this ideal state. How can you increase engagement and innovation in your organization? What can science teach us in this regard? Also, how can we apply those findings in a practical and meaningful way, both at work, and in life? This keynote is designed to answer those questions and inspire people to apply what they learn back on the job. Keynote highlights: • Learn why grit trumps talent in predicting performance success • Learn how to engender grit into your culture • Learn about the relationship between happiness, performance and engagement • Learn how building a culture of positivity boosts innovative thinking • Learn how to focus your mind on what matters most to boost performance • Learn how to get people to view change as an opportunity, not a threat Outcomes and takeaways: • Practical skills you can immediately apply at work and in life • Tools and techniques for increasing innovative thinking throughout your organization • Tools and techniques for increasing engagement across the board • Leave with a sense of optimism and hope no matter the challenges you face
The Science and Heart of Finding Opportunity in Disruptive Times - 5 Strategies for Positive Change
The global pandemic has created a period of change that is by all accounts disruptive, unrelenting, and at times completely debilitating. Leaders, teams and individual contributors alike are in uncharted waters and the one integral, unifying thread is our humanity. We are in a place where we need to look at how this change is affecting us as individuals first and then translate that change into our respective roles. While we cannot always choose what change will come in our path, with the right mindset and strategies, we can choose how to move forward. This is Dr. Gary Bradt’s goal, as he shares the Five Fundamental Choices that change presents us with, and that how you choose to go forward will make a bigger impact on your life than the change itself. Dr. Bradt’s insights are informed by neuroscience and psychology, as well as his three decades of experience as a C-suite executive coach that provides relatable, real-world narratives, and relevant actionable strategies to give you a new path forward. Key Takeaways • ADOPT an opportunity mindset and start moving fast toward positive goals and outcomes. • LET GO of what is holding you back and recognize what is possible. • NURTURE relationships and build a foundation of strength, trust, and mutual support. • PRACTICE courageous optimism and share ideas openly to find new solutions. • GROW where you’re planted and move forward with positive determination and confidence.
The Science and Practice of Happiness at Work
The increasing pace of change is constant and stressful. Moreover, a stressed-out workforce delivers less than optimal performance. Gary addresses this issue by turning stress management on its head. The goal is not to decrease stress but instead, counter it by increasing the happiness and well-being of your workforce. Research indicates that improving happiness and well-being at work is not just a nice thing to do. It is a way to cut costs, decrease absenteeism, and increase innovation, productivity, and employee engagement. Keynote Highlights: • Why leaders need to engage the head and the heart to motivate others • Why people quit their boss, not their job· • How building a culture of compassion can cut costs and reduce turnover • Why and how a leader must role model desired behaviors and outcomes Outcomes and Takeaways: • This keynote creates an opportunity for creative self-reflection • Expect to think and laugh a lot • Learn simple techniques for increasing your happiness and well-being • Learn how to share these techniques with others • Audiences will leave with an enhanced sense of well-being and connection to self and others
The Science and Practice of Mindfulness and Leadership: First Manage Yourself
If you can’t manage yourself, it is very hard to effectively lead others. Self-management means thinking before you speak. It means pausing before you act. It means controlling your emotions and not flying off the handle every time someone pushes one of your hot buttons. All this requires a degree of self-awareness and control that comes naturally to a few but must be learned by most. This keynote gives audiences the practical tools they need to stay positive and proactive no matter the circumstances or pressures they face. Keynote Highlights: • How to utilize mindfulness to become a more intentional leader • How to listen better and deeper • How going slower can help you go faster • How to get your mind and emotions working together to achieve better results • How to lower stress and stay focused in high-pressure environments Outcomes and Takeaways: Leaders will leave this keynote with an enhanced sense of confidence and self-mastery • They will be equipped with research-based practices to build on what they’ve learned • They will have techniques to help them stay focused in fast-moving environments • They will be better equipped to deal with difficult people and situations
The Change Style Workshop
Not everyone is wired the same when it comes to change. Some people love change and get bored without it. Others support change only if it makes sense. Still, others prefer to move slowly and steadily. As a leader, it is helpful to know what type you are, and what type your followers are. This workshop is based on the Change Style Indicator (CSI), a keenly accurate personality assessment that measures one’s change preference. The instrument can be taken ahead of time online or filled out during the session and only takes about 10 minutes to complete either way. In a fun, engaging, and entertaining presentation, Gary helps participants understand their results, put them in a broader context, and apply what they learn. Workshop Highlights and Takeaways: • Understanding one’s change style and its inherent strengths and blind spots • How to understand and work better with colleagues with styles different from yours • How to create balanced and more effective teams • How to put your CSI results into the broader context of leading change • How to increase your confidence and flexibility to deal with a rapidly changing world
Gary Bradt Books
Change: The Tools You Need for the Life You Want at Work and Home
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The Ring in the Rubble: Dig Through Change and Find Your Next Golden Opportunity
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Gary Bradt Articles
Gary Bradt Speaker Testimonials
Thank you for the great presentation.... You were right on point with the issues and challenges we face as a team. It was obvious that you did your homework.
- | General Motors
Your presentation was very relevant, timely and offered very practical suggestions and inspiration for leading change in our organization
- | NASA
We have had so many positive comments about your appearance.... Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and enthusiasm.
- | FedEx
Very special "Thanks" for your speech.... As always, you bring such great insights on managing and leading through change. The team seemed renewed and encouraged about the future. Your guidance was a winning approach for us.
- | Ernst & Young LLP
