Happy is not something you are, it’s something you do.
An Award-Winning Leadership Strategist, Harvard-trained coach and member of the esteemed Forbes Coaches Council, Shadé Zahrai is a specialist in building a success mindset, self-belief and self-mastery for business professionals, and enhancing people-centric cultures.
Current Work
Shadé Zahrai is recognised for her superhuman ability to translate neuroscience and psychology research into practical, actionable strategies to accelerate success. As Principal and Director of Influenceo Global Inc., a leadership development, consulting and research firm, she consults, trains and coaches leaders and teams from startups to Fortune-500s, breathing life into organisational culture to enhance change-readiness for transformation, increase engagement, support the development of people-centric strategies and boost commercial performance.
A former commercial lawyer with a background in psychology and strategy consulting, bolstered by 10+ years across a top tier legal firm and Big-4 bank, Shadé is very in touch with the human side of a business and how to optimise performance. She also specialises in programs for high performing women to maximise confidence and supercharge success.
As an in-demand keynote speaker, Shadé is renowned for her ability to infuse motivation, science and storytelling with practical strategies and solutions to shift mindsets and drive positive action in audiences. Her passion lies at the intersection of psychology, spirituality and business. Shadé’s keynotes are characterised by authenticity, practicality and empathy, and create lasting impact.
Shadé is a best-selling author, Harvard-trained leadership coach, an established performer and speaker featured on TED and TEDx, and 3x Australian champion latin dancer. She's a former lawyer with a background in psychology (specialising in positive psychology) and also received her MBA in 2018.
Previous Experience
Awards and Accolades: She’s a current member of the esteemed Forbes Coaches Council and a regular contributor to Forbes.com, named Mentor of the Year in the 2019 Women in Financial Services Awards, a finalist in the prestigious Telstra Women in Business Awards in 2019 and 2020, finalist in the the Women in Finance Awards 2019, a Future Business Council Scholar and Future Leader Scholar in 2017 and 2018, and a Westpac Woman of Influence in 2016.
Talking Points
A Winning Mindset for a Time of Change: Science-backed strategies to thrive during change and supercharge your influence
During times of change, the default human response is often to experience overwhelm and enter ‘crisis mode’. Yet, the most successful, most productive and most fulfilled professionals are those who understand how to master their mindset and focus on the plethora of opportunities that change presents. A Winning Mindset for a Time of Change: Science-backed strategies to thrive during change and supercharge your influence
Shadé Zahrai will guide you through the neuroscience behind how to embrace an opportunity mindset, how to feel more empowered and focussed, and how to more effectively influence others. She will reveal evidence-based strategies to transform your performance, supercharge your impact, and optimise team engagement.
Who is this for:
Business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, marketers, small business owners, anyone faced with change and transformation.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the neuroscience behind how we respond to change to ‘bio-hack’ our internal processes for enhanced productivity and performance
- Develop a toolkit of simple mindset mastery strategies to help you thrive and navigate complex emotional states
- Learn tips on how to make these mindset & behavioural changes stick around for the long term
Level-Up Leadership: Leading in a virtual world
In our uncertain hybrid-virtual business environment, it’s never been more important for leaders to effectively connect, engage with and inspire their teams to maintain engagement, productivity and performance.Level-Up Leadership: Leading in a virtual world
In this session, Shadé Zahrai will guide leaders and managers through proven evidence-based strategies to ‘lead better’ by understanding the psychology of human connection and relationships. The session will focus on fostering connection, nurturing team ‘buy-in’, and enhancing team culture to improve engagement and create a high performing virtual team.
Who is this for:
Business Leaders (established or emerging) or managers who have to lead virtual or hybrid virtual teams and want to improve their engagement, connection and team culture.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the psychology of human relationships and how to build rapport, trust and connection
- Learn how to create a culture of candour and create psychological safety for optimal team engagement and performance
- Develop skills in applying emotional intelligence tools to understand the pulse of the team and strategies to shift their state for greater engagement and productivity
High-Performance Teams: Mindset mastery, self-leadership & unified vision
High performing organisations require high-performance teams. A pre-requisite for high performing teams, is high performing people who understand how they support the organisation in achieving it’s overarching aims. High-Performance Teams: Mindset mastery, self-leadership & unified vision
Shadé Zahrai will take you through the characteristics of high-performance teams (HPT), including the mindset essentials required for success, self-leadership strategies for optimal performance and the three key drivers of team cohesion: clarity of purpose, solidarity in the face of external challenges, and strong relationships focussed on candour and collaboration.
Who is this for:
Business leaders, executives, marketers, anyone who would benefit from enhancing their leadership and performance individually and as part of a team.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn the mindset essentials required for success including the neuroscience of how the brain responds to pressure and effective self-regulation strategies
- Understand the application of the psychology-informed HPT framework to enhance team cohesion around a unified strategic vision
- Develop a toolkit of evidence-based strategies to both unlock and optimise focus and supercharge individual and team performance
The Brilliance of Constructive Resilience: Actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty, improve wellbeing & boost performance
While the majority of Australian employees love working from home, a virtual or hybrid-virtual workplace poses new challenges for individuals, from issues with wellbeing and inability to focus to a lack of visibility and feeling less engaged. Building capacity for constructive resilience will help insulate your mindset and shift your focus to what you can control, allowing for better problem solving, clarity and emotional resilience.The Brilliance of Constructive Resilience: Actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty, improve wellbeing & boost performance
Shadé Zahrai will leave you with a renewed understanding of the meaning of constructive resilience and will share neuroscience research around how the most successful individuals are creating new personal modus operandi that match their unique energy rhythm.
Who is this for:
Business leaders, executives, teams, anyone working in a remote/hybrid remote workplace or leading remote teams, entrepreneurs, administrators, marketers, small business owners.
Key Takeaways:
- Develop strategies to manage your energy levels for optimal performance (based on emotional intelligence research)
- Learn evidence-based hacks to turbocharge your productivity and focus for sustained periods
- Understand simple tools to prioritise wellness as an antidote to both burnout and mental fatigue, and to elevate performance
Show Up, Step Up, Speak Out - Leading as a woman of influence
Countless studies have shown that women have more of a tendency to focus on what they lack, their gaps and their weaknesses rather than strengths. By combatting self-limiting beliefs and learning hacks for greater confidence and wellbeing, women will be ready to confidently communicate their vision and leadership purpose and to have greater clarity in their goals and aspirations. Show Up, Step Up, Speak Out - Leading as a woman of influence
This keynote explores the research and neuroscience behind what frequently holds women back, how the female brain is wired to help us under pressure, and the tangible tools and strategies that women can embrace to have more confidence, greater presence and greater success in their careers.
Who is this for:
Women leaders (established or emerging), early-to-mid level career women, women entrepreneurs, women small business owners.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the gender confidence gap and reasons why women often struggle with visibility and speaking up
- Explore how the female brain is wired to help women when facing pressure
- Become equipped with a toolkit of strategies to enhance confidence, increase visibility and supercharge leadership potential
Evolving Leadership: The missing trait to Transformational Leadership
World 4.0 requires a new conception of leadership. Shadé Zahrai examines the core development fundamentals necessary to be a transformational leader of impact, unpacking the three core areas of mindset, method and mastery. Evolving Leadership: The missing trait to Transformational Leadership
Referring to leadership & psychology research, she shares how this ‘missing trait’ isn’t what most of us would think… it’s ‘Happiness-in-action!’. Without this foundational quality, leaders’ influence will always be limited. In this informative and inspiring keynote, audiences will learn how to embody ‘happiness-in-action’, why it plays such a crucial role in leadership and specific ways to develop it to step closer to becoming a transformational leader during times of change.
Who is this for:
Business leaders, executives, small business owners, aspiring leaders, anyone in a position of leadership.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the ‘Four Is’ of being ‘transformational’, and their practical application as a leader
- Explore the evidence supporting the missing trait through the ‘GAS Framework’ for transformational leadership
- Develop simple leadership-hacks to become more transformational in your approach, to effectively lead your team and to maximise engagement and productivity
#ChooseToChallenge: The case for embracing gender (and cognitive) diversity
Inspired by the story of her refugee family who narrowly escaped severe persecution for their beliefs in gender equality and the elimination of prejudice, Shadé demonstrates how deep-rooted beliefs about gender bias affect our perceptions and how we view our own potential. #ChooseToChallenge: The case for embracing gender (and cognitive) diversity
In this optimistic and empowering keynote, Shadé Zahrai shares insights around how equality is not only good for women, it’s good for our economic wellbeing and prosperity. She’ll share learnings of how teams that embrace and leverage diversity are more innovative, more strategic and more likely to achieve commercial success.
Who is this for:
Business leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, marketers, small business owners, women’s events, IWD audiences.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the psychology of ‘exclusion’ and how minority (gender) stereotypes are reinforced
- Develop a ‘Diversity Leadership’ toolkit of strategies to better embrace difference
- Learn tips around how to better utilise and contribute unique strengths and differences
Video
International Women’s Day Keynote - Highlights Reel 2019
Keynote Highlights video from a Balance for Better keynote delivered for an organisation in Sydney for International Women's Day 2019.The Purpose Economy Keynote - Highlights Reel 2019
Keynote on Living a Life Aligned to Your Values and Purpose, delivered at the Young Ambassador's Welcome event for the Banking and Finance Oath, hosted by The Ethics Centre (2019).What Barbie told me about my potential… as a woman | Shadé Zahrai | TEDxMonashUniversity
We’re told to lead, but not too hard. To do what men do, but not how men do it…” Inspired by the story of her ancestors who despite the threat of persecution stood up for gender equality, Shadé Zahrai demonstrates how deep-rooted beliefs about gender bias affect our perceptions and how we view our own potential. In this optimistic and empowering talk, Shadé shares how gender equality and synergy is not only good for women, it’s good for business. Through working together and recognising the role our mindset plays, we can create a world where we are all free to pursue our passions and to contribute equally with our talents. Shadé Zahrai is an author, consultant, former lawyer, trainer, accredited coach, speaker and Australian champion latin dancer. Shadé specialises in translating positive psychology and neuroscience research into simple, easy-to-apply strategies to enhance performance and wellbeing. She is passionate about empowering women and minorities to challenge unconscious bias, drive inclusion and advance equality in the workplace and our communities. Learn more at www.shadezahrai.com. Her mission is to help make the world a better place - One happy person at a time.Communicate with influence, every time...
"What's Your Brain Type?" Communicate with influence, every time. What brain preference do you have? What about those you interact with every day? “Once you know what style you have, you actually become better equipped at identifying the styles of others. This then allows you to tailor your message and how you communicate so you can give them what they want to hear, how they want to hear it. It’s a master technique that will help in all aspects of your life...”The rhythmic beauty of collaboration | Shadé Zahrai (accompanied by Aric Yegudkin) | TED Institute
This partner dance is “a beautiful expression of unity" that celebrates "diversity through collaboration,” offers Shadé Zahrai (accompanied onstage by Aric Yegudkin). Zahrai suggests that we are all dancers on the stage of life, with a part to play in building our collective future. About the TED Institute: We know that innovative ideas and fresh approaches to challenging problems can be discovered inside visionary companies around the world. The TED Institute helps surface and share these insights. Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas.The Subconscious, Attitude & Success, RYLA Keynote - Highlights
Diversity Keynote - Highlights 2019 | Shade Zahrai
Highlights from a keynote on Diversity: 'When we Work Together, We All Do Better.' Delivered in Melbourne, 2019.Women Under Pressure - Brain-based Strengths | Shade Zahrai | Saxton Speakers
Shadé Zahrai is one of Australia's leading millennial experts on building a success mindset, self-belief and self-mastery for business professionals. Countless studies have shown that women have more of a tendency to focus on what they lack, their gaps and their weaknesses rather than strengths. By combatting self-limiting beliefs and learning hacks for greater confidence and wellbeing, women will be ready to confidently communicate their vision and leadership purpose and to have greater clarity in their goals and aspirations. This keynote explores the research and neuroscience behind what frequently holds women back, the basics of how the subconscious creates our reality, and the tangible tools and strategies that women can embrace to have more confidence, greater presence and greater success in their careers.How Gratitude Can Change Your Life
Shadé Zahrai is one of Australia's leading millennial experts on building a success mindset, self-belief and self-mastery for business professionals.Lessons from Netflix - Be Open and Adaptable to Change
Shadé Zahrai is one of Australia's leading millennial experts on building a success mindset, self-belief and self-mastery for business professionals. We’re living in a world and business landscape that’s changing at an unprecedented rate. It’s imperative that we continually evolve the way that we work and lead so we can continue to achieve excellence in this era of uncertainty. What goes on in our minds when faced with change? Why is it sometimes so hard to manage our emotions and why do we resist? Through an understanding of the basics of neuroscience and the psychology behind how our brain responds to changes at work or in our environment, audiences will be equipped with the Three Part Framework for Change, and strategies effectively lead themselves, and their teams, through a changing business landscape. Using examples from leading global companies, Shadé will explore the Changesilience Matrix, the importance of a culture of ownership, accountability & responsibility and tools to navigate complex emotional states. Audiences will be equipped with strategies to help them thrive in the face of change to transform themselves and their teams, while contributing to greater commercial success.Audio
Shadé was a delight to work with and really took the time to understand our business… She really captivates the audience and has an energy that keeps you engaged. The material truly resonate ... keep reading Winc. Senior Leaders Conference
We invited Shadé to wrap up the event with a motivational speech on happiness. I expected Shadé to be fantastic, as her reputation preceded her. Shadé had everyone absolutely transfixed - a very hard act to achieve… Shadé is so accomplished and her messages for the students were brilliant at a time when so many students struggle with the pressure of school and home life.
Shadé Zahrai was our Guest Speaker at The Banking and Finance Oath (The BFO) 2019 Young Ambassadors event… Quite simply, Shadé captivated the room with her insights on what it means to work with purpose and put personal values in to action. She spent considerable time researching the objectives of the event, understanding the purpose of The BFO and who the audience would be, and tailored her message accordingly. Shadé brought the perfect combination of passion, energy, storytelling and knowledge to our event. The feedback we got from our 2019 cohort of Young Ambassadors and other senior leaders in the room was that Shadé brought to life with great clarity and poise, how they can consistently align their purpose and values to do good in society and be fulfilled in their careers.
Without question, each and every one of the 90 people in the audience were both mesmerised at your passion and your energy. When I asked the team about the event the first thing they spoke about was the session on Empowerment and thought your part of the day was one of the highlights. It set the tone and the bar for the event which was a hard act to follow. Thank you.
Shadé is one the most incredibly accomplished young speaker's I have ever met. Shadé tackles every topic with a refreshingly vibrant approach and backs it up with the perfect amount of data and science. I have had the privilege of attending several of Shadé's key notes on mindfulness, positivity and the powerful impact it can have on our personal and professional lives, and have always left learning new things about myself and how I can make a bigger difference.
Shadé was the Keynote Speaker and panel facilitator at Cognizant's Outreach Event. I cannot emphasize enough on how well she delivered her speech on emotional intelligence and its influence on leadership and happiness. Her style is engaging , relaxed and extremely professional. Shadé took keen interest in understanding what Cognizant as an organization wanted to achieve out of the event. She recommended we do connect sessions prior to the event to ensure we are fully prepared for the messaging at the event. She researched our panel thoroughly and carved out questions that truly made our panelists comfortable, and brought out a lot of information. Shadé is a lovely individual, very easy to work with and someone I would love to bring back at Future events at Cognizant.
We chose Shadé to present the final session of our conference. This was an inspired decision. Her presentation style and content struck exactly the right note. The feedback we have received from numerous sources, whilst complimenting the entire program, identified Shadé’s session as a highlight. As a result, we are now fielding requests for a repeat of Shadé’s presentation.
Shadé ran a fantastic session for an impressionable group of students on the theme of ‘Personal Brand’. The students were in awe of Shadé's positive style and we received superb feedback from all. I have no hesitation in recommending Shadé as a facilitator and motivational speaker, she is clear, authentic, engaging and a brilliant communicator. Her facilitation style leaves you wanting more - she has a natural ability to connect, inspire and make a lasting difference.
From Shade's initial interaction with our group of employees her professionalism, innovative approach, fantastic communication stills and passion to drive both staff engagement and morale was evident. She has the unique ability to draw a crowd in, to really listen on the edge of their seats, to believe and want to follow her philosophies and strategy to deliver exceptional results and superior customer service.
Shadé Zahrai spoke at our FBAA International Women’s Day event in Sydney on 6th March 2020. I was the lucky one as the event coordinator for this event to lialise with Shadé and pick her for the event. From the first contact with Shadé, she was flexible, easy going with the content that she could provide to talk to our finance attendees for this event and suited her brief to our audience and what would be received the best. Shadé had a brief ready to go and was very organised in sending through everything We needed along the way. On the day of the event she spoke about diversity, gender equality and incorporated her life experiences into the delivery. She delivered her piece perfectly on time and kept the audience engaged throughout her whole presentation while interacting with them at the same time. We received a lot of great feedback from our attendees and couldn’t have asked for a more suitable speaker for o.ur event. I would highly recommend Shadé for any event, as there are many topics she speaks on and can tailor to any requirements. We will definitely be using Shadé to speak again at future events of ours.
Shade was a very engaging and timely speaker. She provided us with plenty of practical, valuable takeaways from her session. It was great to have a speaker with recognisable credentials and who was very well spoken. Her positive tips on resilience were very well received given the challenging times. We would welcome Shade back any day.”
