The Greatest Speaker in the World…

What I Learned from the World’s Best Speakers — and Why I’m Even More Fired Up About the Infinite Game of Public Speaking

Picture this: I’m in a packed ballroom in Scottsdale, Arizona, shoulder to shoulder with over a thousand other professional speakers. And for a moment, I feel… small.

This week I attended Influence — the 2025 National Speakers Association Conference — for the first time. It was loud. It was overwhelming. And it was absolutely electric. As a keynote speaker who’s delivered talks on stages across the globe, I’m usually one of the most extroverted people in the room. But not at NSA. At NSA, I got a glimpse into what introverts must feel like all the time!

Still, once I got over myself and tuned into the incredible people around me, I realized something important: I was surrounded by a tribe of passionate, purpose-driven human beings. These weren’t just motivational speakers. These were world-class communicators. People committed to making a real difference with their voice, their stories, and their presence.

And speaking of stories… storytelling was a massive theme. No surprise there. I’ve always said that storytelling is the most powerful tool we have as speakers and leaders. Master the basics, right? There’s no secret magic beyond that. The “real secret” is the basics. Nail those, and everything else flows.

I also got the chance to hear directly from meeting planners and event organizers — the very people who book keynote speakers, corporate trainers, and leadership coaches. Their message was loud and clear: It’s not just about entertaining an audience or even inspiring them. It’s about transformation. They want keynote speakers who deliver actionable takeaways that change the way people think, lead, and live.

This made me smile.

Because when I take the stage as a keynote speaker — whether for a Fortune 100 company, an entrepreneurial conference, or a leadership summit — I always offer the option of a breakout session afterward. Some international keynote speakers think that’s “too much.” But to me, that’s where the magic happens. That’s where real connections form. That’s where we go deeper.

That’s where transformation begins.

And now, more than ever, I’m leaning into creating long-term partnerships with organizations that want to extend the value even further. We start with a keynote, follow it with a hands-on breakout, and build a private follow-up portal so people can keep learning, growing, and implementing the tools I teach.

Because, as I learned from Snoop Dogg, Simon Sinek, and Candace Morgan, it’s not about me, it’s about the message. It’s about the people, the impact.

One of my final takeaways came while chatting with a fellow NSA speaker at the airport. We were reflecting on the extraordinary talent we had just witnessed. I said, “Wow… I can do that.” And, in the very same breath, “Wow… I’ve got a long way to go.”

That’s the truth of being a professional speaker. Whether you’re a seasoned motivational speaker, a TEDx coach, or an emerging voice — it’s an infinite game. Like surfing or golf, there’s always more to master.

And that’s why I love this work. Because I’m not just a keynote speaker. I’m a lifelong student of communication, a passionate teacher of leadership, and a devoted partner to those who want to truly elevate their people.

There really won’t ever be a “greatest speaker in the world.” And that’s OK. This is an infinite game, and I’m glad it’s so much fun.