Heather McGowan

Think organizations can't change quickly? History shows otherwise. Time and again, when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, humans have defied expectations, achieving the impossible in mere weeks instead of years. These moments serve as a testament to humanity's greatest strength: the ability to adapt when it matters most.

In this thought-provoking keynote, Heather McGowan dismantles the myth that people resist change, weaving together unforgettable stories about a mop, a burrito, and a hermit crab. Through these surprising examples, she demonstrates how curiosity and our innate drive to collaborate enable us to envision and shape the future.

Drawing insights from her bestselling books, The Adaptation Advantage and The Empathy Advantage, Heather explains how organizations that embrace adaptability as a core value uncover opportunities in places others overlook. Her insights reveal the transformative power of cultivating a mindset that thrives in the face of uncertainty.

Audiences walk away with the tools to reframe challenges, practical strategies to enhance adaptability, clear frameworks for connecting past experiences to future possibilities, and leadership perspectives that inspire teams to succeed in uncharted territory.

Think you’re losing your ability to remember phone numbers? You’re not alone. As technology takes over more of our tasks, some human skills naturally diminish. While automation can cause certain abilities to fade, it also creates space for entirely new capabilities—if we approach it with intention. The real potential of AI lies not just in automating tasks but in reshaping how we work and unlocking new opportunities for growth.

In this compelling presentation, Heather McGowan challenges the AI hype, emphasizing that thriving in an AI-driven world isn’t about having the right answers—it’s about asking better questions. She reveals how framing new challenges and treating AI as a collaborative partner can amplify human potential, expand cognitive capabilities, and transform the way we approach work.

Audiences will gain a deeper understanding of what to automate versus augment, practical strategies for collaborating with AI, and fresh perspectives on how to leverage uniquely human strengths. Heather also outlines the leadership shifts necessary to inspire optimal performance in an AI-enhanced world.

Remember when leadership was all about having the answers? In today’s world, the best leaders are defined not by certainty but by curiosity. As unprecedented opportunities and challenges emerge, research shows that the most successful leaders are no longer “know-it-alls” but “learn-it-alls.” This shift means we may be overlooking the very leaders we need to thrive in times of relentless change.

In this transformative talk, Heather McGowan explores why the future belongs to leaders who embrace uncertainty and empower their teams to learn, adapt, and grow. She highlights how forward-thinking leadership unlocks potential by fostering curiosity, building trust, and leveraging collective intelligence.

Drawing on insights from her bestselling books, The Adaptation Advantage and The Empathy Advantage, along with real-world examples and compelling research, Heather illustrates how exceptional leadership is about enabling performance rather than controlling processes. She offers practical strategies to create environments where curiosity thrives, trust is built, and teams achieve breakthrough results.

Attendees will walk away with actionable tools to unlock their team’s collective potential, proven methods to foster high-trust environments, and frameworks for transforming traditional management into performance enablement. Heather’s insights equip leaders to navigate uncertainty and inspire exceptional performance through curiosity-driven leadership.

In a time of growing social division, professional success no longer depends on avoiding tough conversations but on mastering the art of constructive dialogue. Skills like active listening, intellectual humility, and genuine curiosity are essential for creating environments where diverse perspectives turn conflict into a catalyst for innovation.

The ability to bridge divides through emotional intelligence and effective communication is one of the most valuable skills in our interconnected world. When an organization’s purpose aligns with human potential, remarkable outcomes follow.

In this inspiring keynote based on her latest book, The Empathy Advantage, Heather McGowan explores how purpose can serve as an organization’s most powerful driver of performance. Using compelling research and real-world examples, she illustrates how a shared vision fosters trust, belonging, and motivation, enabling teams to transform individual potential into collective impact. The result? Higher engagement, reduced turnover, and unleashed performance.

By aligning purpose with action, organizations don’t just adapt to change—they shape the future.

Attendees will gain practical tools to foster courageous dialogue, connect individual contributions to a shared vision, and transform purpose into tangible results. Heather also shares insights into the leadership shifts needed to build alignment and drive collective success.

In a world of constant disruption from technological and social changes, businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to unlock measurable advantages in engagement, innovation, and profitability—and it all starts with trust.

History shows that humanity's greatest achievements come from collective effort. Similarly, cohesive teams innovate more quickly, adapt to change more effectively, sustain higher engagement, and experience lower turnover. These teams consistently outperform their peers, proving that trust and collaboration are essential for success.

In this impactful presentation inspired by her books The Adaptation Advantage and The Empathy Advantage, Heather McGowan shares proven strategies to harness the power of collaboration. She provides actionable tools to help organizations build trust, foster belonging, and create a shared sense of purpose—unlocking extraordinary results and driving sustainable growth.

Attendees will gain practical techniques for cultivating high-performing teams, strategies for staying focused during times of rapid change, and leadership insights to build authentic relationships rooted in trust. Heather’s insights empower leaders to strengthen collaboration and gain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic business landscape.