Keynote Speaker:
Book Me For Your Conference or Event
I’m an experienced workshop facilitator and speaker, available for private and public events.
I speak on a range of topics including authentic leadership, effective communication, finding your purpose, neurodiversity and being a woman in leadership.
What The Audience Says
"So many resonated with what you shared on stage and were impacted by the way she passionately described and showed how both the micromanaged and micromanager can feel in these cases and how one could address when in such a situation. You were on fire! Mic drop worthy!"
– Sanne Terpstra, Kubernetes Community Days 2023 Attendee
I enjoyed every bit of Sarah's talk - it is definitely keynote-class. It shows the history, the rationale, the steps in evolution of the movement, ending with a great conclusions about the future - thank you Sarah
–AgileByExample 2024 Attendee
“I liked [Sarah’s] presentation - about how to deal with toxic people. It was I think the most useful topic for me, because it was one of the reasons why one day I chose to work on my own. Next time maybe I could try not just quit but try to deal with such people. Although, of course, I'm not sure that I can meet such people here at all. I haven't seen one in the Netherlands yet
– Audrey (via Allesandro Vozza), Kubernetes Community Days 2023 Attendee
Signature Keynote Topics
Want me to speak at your conference or event? Here are some suggested talk outlines, and I’m also open to suggestions!
Any of these sessions can be trailored to resonate with your audience's unique aspirations and challenges, weaving in your brand values alongside messages of empowerment and inclusivity with a passion for diversity and leadership at all levels.
Empowerment Through Adversity: Leading with Personal Dragons
In our rapidly evolving, tech-driven society, there's a vital need for diversity and authenticity in the workplace. The technology that shapes our daily lives is predominantly created by a homogeneous group, and this must change. Why is this important? Because our collective future depends on it. Embracing our full selves in the workplace is crucial to driving meaningful and inclusive innovation.
In this keynote, I will take you on a transformative journey through my own personal challenges, revealing how these experiences have shaped my leadership and now inspire and empower my teams. You'll discover practical strategies for leveraging personal growth to foster a trusting, empathetic work environment where every individual feels empowered to innovate and contribute their unique perspectives.
This session is not just about overcoming adversity; it's about harnessing it to lead with authenticity and purpose. Join me to learn how to ignite the power within you and your team, creating a workplace culture that champions diversity, inclusion, and unstoppable innovation, paving the way for a brighter future for our children.
Synergy in Diversity: Crafting Inclusive Teams for Unstoppable Innovation
Discover why diversity is not just a moral imperative but a critical driver of innovation and financial success. In today's competitive landscape, companies need to leverage every advantage to stay ahead. This session will reveal how diverse teams can unlock groundbreaking innovation, leading to increased profitability and sustainable growth.
Why is this crucial? Because inclusive teams don't just perform better; they directly impact the bottom line. Studies show that diverse teams are more creative, solve problems faster, and drive higher revenue. Companies that prioritize diversity are more likely to outperform their competitors, attract top talent, and adapt to changing market conditions.
In this talk, I will delve into the spectrum of neurodiverse traits, Hofstede's cultural dimensions, and the nuances of generational differences, showcasing how these elements can synergize to foster an empathetic and inclusive workplace culture. You will learn how diverse perspectives fuel innovation, improve decision-making, and lead to products and services that better meet the needs of a global market.
I will introduce liberating structures as a practical and effective solution to unlock the full potential of diverse teams. You'll gain actionable strategies for crafting an environment where every voice is heard, and collaboration thrives. J oin me to learn how to transform your team into a vibrant, inclusive, and innovative force that can tackle any challenge, drive sustained success, and secure a competitive edge in the market.
Investing in diversity is not just a long-term strategy; it's an urgent necessity for companies looking to thrive in a slim market. By embracing diversity now, you'll ensure your company's profitability and resilience for years to come.
Agile Evolution: Engineering Visionary Leadership
Transform from a technical expert to a visionary leader in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Drawing from my experience as an engineer educated in the late 90s, I witnessed a time when customer-centricity and business value were at the core of our solutions. Today, there's a worrying trend where engineers are becoming mere "ticket monkeys," losing their creative and holistic involvement in solution design.
Why is this a significant danger? Because this shift not only jeopardizes the quality of end solutions but also diminishes the excitement and fulfillment of the engineering career. A lack of creative involvement leads to disengagement and stifles innovation, ultimately impacting business success.
In this keynote, I'll share practical strategies for leveraging agile principles to rekindle the creativity and holistic thinking that once defined our industry. You will learn how to:
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Reintegrate customer-centric and business value-focused approaches into your engineering practices.
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Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within your teams.
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Empower engineers to contribute creatively and meaningfully to solution design.
Through my journey, I'll demonstrate how adopting agile methodologies can transform your leadership style, inspire collaboration, and drive sustainable success. Join me to explore how you can evolve into a visionary leader, reigniting the passion and creativity in your engineering teams and ensuring a thriving future for the tech industry.
Stop the Violence: The Difference Between Criticism and Feedback - Essential for a More Inclusive Environment
Explore the transformative potential of embracing constructive feedback. Understanding the difference between criticism and feedback is crucial for creating an inclusive environment where innovation thrives. This session will delve into why it's vital to heed feedback and how it can empower teams to tackle tomorrow's challenges with creativity and insight.
Why is this important? Because constructive feedback fosters a culture of continuous improvement and mutual respect, while criticism can stifle innovation and demotivate employees. In an inclusive environment, every team member feels valued and heard, leading to greater collaboration and innovative solutions.
In this talk, I will share practical strategies for distinguishing between criticism and feedback and how to deliver and receive feedback effectively. You will learn how to:
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Foster a feedback-rich culture that encourages growth and innovation.
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Transform potentially negative interactions into opportunities for positive change.
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Empower your team to embrace feedback as a tool for personal and professional development.
Join me to discover how embracing constructive feedback can forge innovative teams capable of tackling future challenges with creativity and insight, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and dynamic workplace.
Empowering Teams, Avoiding Micromanagement: The Balance of Leadership
In today's fast-paced tech environment, empowering teams while avoiding the pitfalls of micromanagement is crucial for fostering innovation, productivity, and employee satisfaction. This talk explores the delicate balance of leadership required to unlock the full potential of your team.
Why is this important? Because micromanagement stifles creativity and collaboration, leading to decreased morale and productivity. Studies show that 59% of people have experienced micromanagement, with 68% reporting a drop in morale and 55% noting a decline in productivity. This issue is not just a minor inconvenience; it's a significant barrier to success.
Drawing from my extensive experience in engineering and leadership, I will share insights into the dangers of micromanagement and the transformative power of empowering leadership. You'll learn how to foster a culture of trust, autonomy, and innovation, leading to more engaged and productive teams.
Join me to discover strategies for balancing oversight with empowerment, ensuring your team can innovate and thrive in today's competitive landscape. This talk will provide you with actionable tools to enhance your leadership approach, ultimately driving better results for your organization and greater satisfaction for your team.
More Praise from Attendees
"Hi Sarah,
I hope you’re doing well, thank you for the session this last week, it ended up being my highlight on the agenda! I’m really curious to continue the conversation 😄 I really believe in giving everyone an opportunity to be their best self because a lot of what I would define as luck or even opportunity always involved a lot of vulnerability and came from people especially unexpectedly. The idea of how vast diversity really is keeps surprising me and that keeps me learning so what really stood out from your knowledge was how actionable and clear the message was. Thank you so much and have an awesome weekend 😄"
- Joseph Muli, SRE Day Attendee 2024
"Hey Sarah,
Thank you once for your talk on SREday and for the lovely chat afterwards.
Could you please share your slides with me?"
- Regards, Evy Meerman, SRE Day Attendee 2024
"I enjoyed your talk at SREDay today. Thanks for giving it :)"
Michael Coté, SRE Day Attendee 2024
"I liked [Sarah’s] presentation - about how to deal with toxic people. It was I think the most useful topic for me, because it was one of the reasons why one day I chose to work on my own. Next time maybe I could try not just quit but try to deal with such people. Although, of course, I'm not sure that I can meet such people here at all. I haven't seen one in the Netherlands yet."
– Audrey (via Allesandro Vozza), Kubernetes Community Days 2023 Attendee
"Your presentation at the KDC in Utrecht has been recorded so I’m awaiting and eager to show it to my wife. I think she will love it too and be inspired as I was."
– Peter Broshuis, Kubernetes Community Days 2023 Attendee
"Thank you Sarah! I had the pleasure to be in the audience at KCD Utrecht today. Thank you so much for your keynote session. I really enjoyed it. And I love the dragon theme 😁"
– Marc Duiker, Kubernetes Community Days 2023 Attendee
"Thank you Sarah, and thanks for your inspiring keynote. I can definitely relate to your story ❤️"
– Andrea Soldino, Kubernetes Community Days 2023 Attendee
