Cracking the Generational Code
Lachie Smart speaks with authority on the leadership required to bridge generational gaps, solve pain points and boost team engagement.
He is a world record pilot, award-winning adventurer, and recipient two keys to two different cities, although he is still trying to figure out what they unlock. As the CEO of Smartline Medical, Lachie has steered the company through the complexities of the MedTech world, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. But his solo flight around the world laid the foundation for tackling the even bigger challenges he faces today.
At just 18, Lachie became the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft. The journey took 2.5 years of careful planning, 54 days of flying, and no shortage of "Are you sure about this?" moments. While overcoming storms, fundraising half a million dollars, and narrowly avoiding a few sticky international situations, Lachie began expanding his understanding of personal and collective capability—proving that age is no barrier to achieving incredible things together. For his efforts, he was awarded the Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure Award and handed two keys to the city.
For the last decade, Lachie has focused on solving a bigger problem: helping people utilise multi-generational workforces as an asset, not a limitation. He’s committed to bridging the gap between generations in leadership and fostering collaboration between emerging talent and seasoned professionals. His clients, including McDonald’s, Colgate-Palmolive, Salesforce, and QBE, have sought him out to develop their next generation of leaders - no cheesy clichés or trust falls required.
After training in the USA as a professional speaker and entertainer, Lachie returned to Australia in 2018 with a mission to equip organizations with the tools they need to nurture leadership across all generations. Whether piloting planes or tackling business challenges, Lachie’s on-stage presentations prove that with the right mindset and leadership approach, the boldest goals can be achieved by utilising the best qualities of each generation in your team.
Talking Points
Vinyl to Virtual: Unlocking Multigenerational Synergy in the Workplace
Get ready to laugh, question, and challenge perspectives as Lachie unpacks what makes generations tick in a high-energy keynote that will have everyone talking long after it ends. A great event opener or closer.Vinyl to Virtual: Unlocking Multigenerational Synergy in the Workplace
Have you ever found yourself explaining TikTok to someone who thinks "tweeting" involves birds, or sharing why you believe the 80s was an unforgettable era? For the first time in history, we have FIVE distinct generations in the workplace simultaneously, each with our own unique lens shaped by the context of our experiences. Technology, culture, and communication evolve rapidly, and these differing contexts influence how each generation sees and interacts with the world. In this high-energy (and hilarious) session, Lachie dives into what makes generations tick. Explore how differences in values, entitlement, communication, and resilience can lead to friction—but also how they can drive innovation and engagement. Discover how to bridge the gaps, harness diverse perspectives, and turn generational differences into performance boosters.
Key Takeaways
• The tool for understanding different generational perspectives
• Technique to de-risking entitlement whilst retaining creativity
• Communication strategies to bridge generational gaps
• Leveraging the unique strengths of each generation to build resilience
• Culture that boosts loyalty and engagement
Best Audience
Designed as the cornerstone keynote, this suits everyone in the modern workforce. **Especially beneficial for frontline managers**
Format
• Keynote: 45-90 minutes + optional QnA
Leaders of Tomorrow: Empowering Emerging Leaders with VESPA
In "Leaders of Tomorrow," Lachie Smart equips NEW leaders with the VESPA Framework, transforming leadership complexity into a clear, actionable system that inspires them to lead with clarity, energy, and lasting impact.Leaders of Tomorrow: Empowering Emerging Leaders with VESPA
In this presentation, Lachie introduces emerging leaders to the VESPA Framework, a simple yet powerful system for developing vision, direction, and energy as a leader. Through captivating stories backed by real-world data, Lachie breaks down the complexities of leadership into actionable steps, inspiring the audience to clarify their values and goals, build strategic plans, and embrace essential skills like fostering a positive culture, effective communication, and responsible use of technology. Designed to energize and empower, this keynote leaves future leaders equipped with practical takeaways and the confidence to lead with impact.
Key Takeaways
• Purpose-driven leadership through understanding values.
• Developing inspiring visions.
• Setting relevant, achievable goals.
• Mastering effective planning processes.
• Building resilient, motivated teams.
Best Audience
Emerging, new or first-time leaders.
HR managers responsible for learning and development.
Those interested in mentoring and developing emerging talent.
Format
• Keynote: 45-90 minutes + optional QnA
• Full-day workshop (recommended)
Navigating Tomorrow: Executive Strategies for Managing Millennial, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha Talent
“Navigating Tomorrow” delivers practical strategies to harness the strengths of a multigenerational workforce, overcome entitlement, develop resilience, and effect clear communication in today’s rapidly evolving workplace.Navigating Tomorrow: Executive Strategies for Managing Millennial, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha Talent
This session is not a “give them bean bags and free dress Friday’s” kind of event. It is tailored for those managing, leading, and developing emerging talent, focusing on strategies to harness the strengths of a multigenerational workforce. Each new generation is different, but technology has exploded these differences to unprecedented levels. Though Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha seem radically different from previous generations, they are incredibly effective when managed well. Lachie Smart, who flew solo around the world to inspire and equip young people, is uniquely qualified to guide this process. Drawing on this experience and his role as CEO of a MedTech company, Lachie delivers practical strategies for fostering engagement and communication, dealing with entitlement, and creating a resilient workplace culture without compromising on the values of what makes organisations work.
Key Takeaways
• Understanding the distinct values and work styles of Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha.
• Enhancing communication across generational lines.
• Cultivating resilience within younger teams.
• Leadership Pipeline: Develop future-ready leaders aligned with company goals.
• Retention and Engagement: Invests in talent, reducing turnover and increasing loyalty.
Best Audience
C-Suite executives, senior managers, and upper-level leaders responsible for managing a multi-generational workforce.
Format
• Keynote: 45 minutes + optional QnA
• Custom workshop
Future Leaders Workshop
The Future Leaders Workshop is a full-day event facilitated by Lachie Smart, a record-breaking pilot and leadership development speaker who became the youngest person to fly solo around the world in 2016. This workshop introduces new leaders to the VESPA Framework, a powerful system providing vision, direction, and energy. Through engaging stories and interactive activities, Lachie simplifies the complex task of leadership, making the content both enjoyable and impactful. By the end of the day, participants will leave with a clear plan, new skills, and the confidence to lead effectively. They will understand their values and goals, develop strategic plans, and acquire essential leadership skills, such as communication, fostering a positive culture, and responsible technology use.Future Leaders Workshop
Stakeholder Outcomes
Organisation:
- Leadership Pipeline: Develops future-ready leaders aligned with company goals.
- Retention and Engagement: Invests in talent, reducing turnover and increasing loyalty.
- Innovation: Equips leaders to drive creativity and adaptability
Participants:
- Practical Skills: Builds decision-making, communication, and resilience.
- Confidence and Growth: Enhances self-awareness and readiness to lead.
- Networking: Fosters connections with peers and mentors
Senior Leadership:
- Succession Planning: Ensures continuity with prepared leaders.
- Delegation: Frees senior leaders to focus on strategy.
- Better Communication: Bridges gaps between leadership and teams.
Teams:
- Empowered Leadership: Creates inclusive, engaging team environments.
- Clearer Guidance: Improves direction and support for team members.
Note: This workshop can be tailored to suit the needs and priorities of your audience, whether corporate, educational, not-for-profit, or more.
Video
Lachie Smart | World Record Pilot, Top Australian Emerging Leadership Speaker & CEO of Medtech Company Smartline Medical
Lachie Smart is a world record pilot and keynote speaker based in Australia. In 2016 he became the youngest pilot to fly solo round the world in an effort to create a social movement redefining the limits of the next generation. Since then, Lachie has shared his story with millions around the world through in person presentations and media appearances. As an expert in youth leadership development and intergenerational management, Lachie is regularly called in to present to large and small corporations, schools and conferences.18 year old breaks Guinness World Record for solo flight around world
After 7 weeks, 15 countries and 45,000km, this is the moment Lachlan Smart touched down to claim the Guinness World Record as the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft. Bravo Lachie! The Sunshine Coast is proud of you.Embrace The Crazy | Lachlan Smart | TEDxGlasshouseChristianCollege
Queensland teenage pilot Lachlan Smart has become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine plane. Queensland teenage pilot Lachlan Smart has become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine plane.Lachie Smart | Schools Offering
Lachie Smart is a world record pilot and keynote speaker based in Australia. In 2016 he became the youngest pilot to fly solo round the world in an effort to create a social movement redefining the limits of the next generation. Since then, Lachie has shared his story with millions around the world through in person presentations and media appearances. As an expert in youth leadership development and intergenerational management, Lachie is regularly called in to present to large and small corporations, schools and conferences.Riveted! That be the one term that best explains the response from the South Burnett Country Fair audience, listening to Lachie Smart present his adventures around the world. Amazed, is how ... keep reading BURNETT COUNTRY FAIR
Lachie is one of the best speakers that we have had at our events. He does an amazing job engaging a crowd of several thousand people, yet still connecting his message personally with each person in the audience. His sessions are the perfect mix of inspiration, information and enjoyment. We have found Lachie to be a true professional and always wonderful to deal with.
An absolute treat. Story and presenting skills are so dialled in.
5 Stars. Our team were thoroughly engaged and walked away with some great learnings from his experience.
One of those ‘so glad I was there’ moments. Thank you Lachie, for this excellent presentation as part of our business leaders forum today.
