Good leaders do not direct - they provide direction
Karen Ferris is an internationally recognised authority on organisational change and leadership, known for challenging the status quo and driving innovation. A self-described “rebel with a cause”, Karen equips leaders and organisations with practical strategies to thrive in times of disruption and uncertainty.
Karen is the author of eight influential books, including Be REMARKABLE! Learn to Unlearn, which explores the mindset shifts required for modern leadership. Her work has been described as a transformative blueprint for building resilience and adaptability. She has presented on stages across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, USA, and Europe, earning a reputation for delivering bold, thought-provoking insights that inspire action.
With decades of experience advising global organisations and a client list that includes Motorola Solutions, Telstra, the Department of Defence, and leading universities, Karen brings real-world expertise to every engagement. Her industry accolades include the Lifetime Achievement Award from itSMF Australia and the Change Management Institute’s Rebel Award for “breaking all the rules to make things better for all.”
Karen’s sessions are practical, engaging, and designed to help leaders and teams embrace change with confidence.
Talking Points
Learn to Unlearn: Why Yesterday's Leadership Won't Survive Tomorrow
Many leaders cling to outdated ideas that no longer serve today’s workforce. This keynote challenges that mindset and introduces the learn–unlearn–relearn cycle as the foundation for modern leadership. Leaders must let go of old habits, embrace new thinking, and adapt continuously to thrive in a rapidly changing world.Learn to Unlearn: Why Yesterday's Leadership Won't Survive Tomorrow
Who is this for: Team leaders, supervisors, and managers.
Key Takeaways:
- Recognising “zombie leadership” and why it fails
- How to apply the learn–unlearn–relearn process
- Practical steps to lead with adaptability and confidence
The Future of Work Is The Future Of Leadership. Are You Ready?
The future of work is distributed, and there’s no going back. Employees expect flexibility, and leaders must adapt to manage high-performing teams across locations. Most leaders are not prepared for this shift and need new skills and mindsets to succeed.The Future of Work Is The Future Of Leadership. Are You Ready?
This keynote explores the distributed leadership model and practical strategies to build fairness, connection, and performance in a hybrid world.
Who is this for: Current and emerging leaders.
Key Takeaways:
- Why the future of work is distributed
- Why most leaders aren’t ready
- How to lead with the distributed leadership model
From Command and Control to Empowerment and Trust
The future of work demands a new leadership approach built on trust and empowerment. Micromanagement stifles creativity and collaboration, yet many leaders struggle to move beyond command and control. This keynote explores why autonomy matters and how leaders can shift behaviours to create high-performing, engaged teams.From Command and Control to Empowerment and Trust
Key Takeaways:
- Why empowerment and trust drive success
-- Understanding autonomy, delegation, and accountability
- Practical steps to eliminate micromanagement
Game On! Change is Constant. Tactics To Win When Leading Change is Everyone's Business
What if your organisation could perform like a winning team—fast, agile, and ready to adapt? In sport, constant change is the norm. Teams innovate, adjust tactics, and stay resilient under pressure. This keynote shows how to bring that same mindset to business, creating organisations that embrace change and thrive in disruption.Game On! Change is Constant. Tactics To Win When Leading Change is Everyone's Business
Key Takeaways:
- New constructs: An enterprise approach to organisational change
- The roadmap for transformation
- The Four Cs assessment for agility and resilience
Unleash the Resiliator Within
The next great disruption is coming—and we won’t see it coming. Organisational survival depends on a workforce that is prepared, adaptable, and resilient. This keynote introduces the concept of the Resiliator®—individuals equipped with the mindset and skills to lead, innovate, and collaborate in times of constant change.Unleash the Resiliator Within
Key Takeaways:
- Busting myths about resilience
- Why resilience requires a holistic, contextual approach
- The superpowers of the Resiliator® for individuals and leaders
Feedback – The Breakfast of Champions
Feedback is essential for organisational success. Without it, teams operate in a vacuum and cannot adapt or improve. This keynote explores how to give and receive feedback effectively using the CEDAR model—Context, Examples, Diagnosis, Actions, and Review—and highlights the role of active listening in building trust and performance.Feedback – The Breakfast of Champions
Who is this for: Team leaders, supervisors, and managers.
Key Takeaways:
- How to prepare and deliver feedback
- Using a proven feedback process
- Active listening skills for better conversations
- How to ask for and receive feedback
Balanced Diversity: A Portfolio Approach to Organisational Change
Successful organisational change isn’t just about implementing new processes—it’s about embedding them into the DNA of your organisation. This keynote introduces the Balanced Diversity framework, a groundbreaking approach that uses a tailored portfolio of practices to ensure change lasts. Learn how to move beyond repetitive methods and create strategies that fit your culture, capacity, and goals.Balanced Diversity: A Portfolio Approach to Organisational Change
Who is this for: Leaders, managers, change practitioners, and consultants.
Key Takeaways:
- Why traditional approaches fail
- How to match actions to organisational needs
- Using a balanced set of practices for lasting change
Video
Karen Ferris | Change Management Rebel WITH A Cause | Saxton Speakers
Clear. Concise. On-point. Relevant. Practical. All we've all come to know, respect and rely on from the insightful mind of Karen Ferris. Your fans are always surprised by you and how you sho ... keep reading The Ken Blanchard Companies
Great to work with Karen on team development focusing on change and adaptive leadership. Karen has a style that puts the team at ease and is pragmatic and can relay practical organisational applications.
The workshop was an outstanding success, and feedback received from Change Advisory Group members included the following: - Your presentation style was energetic, inclusive and professional - The material you presented was highly relevant for the Group and our organisation - The tools you provided were practical, and easy to understand and use The group came away quite energised and motivated by the session. We are looking forward to working with again so that we can equip more people, and in particular our leadership group, to manage the ongoing change within the organisation.
It brings me great pleasure to endorse Karen for her outstanding speaking abilities. Her recent presentation at our ITSM Webinar demonstrated not only her profound expertise but also her captivating presence before an audience. Karen exudes professionalism and is highly knowledgeable in her field. I recommend her for any industry events.
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