Bill Benjamin: Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence keynote speaker Bill Benjamin teaches science-backed strategies that help leaders manage pressure, elevate performance, and build high-trust, high-performing teams.

Quick Facts:

  • Highlights:
    • Co-founder of the Institute for Health and Human Potential
    • Advanced degrees in mathematics and computer science
    • 25 years of senior leadership experience in high-pressure business environments
    • Recognized expert in brain science, emotional intelligence, and leadership performance
  • Formats: Keynote speaker and emotional intelligence expert
  • Audiences: Leaders, organizations, and teams seeking stronger emotional intelligence, improved performance under pressure, and healthier leadership cultures
  • Outcomes:
    1. Practical techniques to manage stress and lead with clarity under pressure.
    2. Science-based strategies to strengthen communication, collaboration, and trust.
    3. A framework for applying emotional intelligence to improve performance and leadership effectiveness.
Reading time: 2 min
Reviews: (5 reviews)
Rated 5 out of 5
  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Talent Services

Keynote Topics:

The Missing Ingredient Behind Building a Highly Engaged Organizational Culture

Why would anyone want to be led you? This is the single most important question a manager or leader needs to ask themselves if they want to unlock the potential and creativity of their people. The reason your employees get up in the morning and choose to be engaged and productive has nothing to do with a manager’s level of IQ or technical capabilities, it has everything to do with their manager’s level of Emotional Intelligence (EI).

The research is clear that Emotional Intelligence is the single most important driver of an engaged, results-driven, highly effective workforce, especially in environments that are undergoing significant change and disruption.

In this interactive keynote from Bill Benjamin, your team will discover:

  • What the brain does under pressure and specific tools & strategies to effectively manage situations of tension and conflict.
  • Self-awareness: understanding the impact of your leadership style and how to win the hearts and minds of your people by connecting to the emotions that drive their behavior.
  • Engaging stories from the frontlines of leaders who are stepping up and winning in the most challenging, pressure-filled circumstances.

Why would anyone want to be led you? This is the single most important question a manager or leader needs to ask themselves if they want to unlock the potential and creativity of their people. The reason your employees get up in the morning and choose to be engaged and productive has nothing to do with a manager’s level of IQ or technical capabilities, it has everything to do with their manager’s level of Emotional Intelligence (EI).

The research is clear that Emotional Intelligence is the single most important driver of an engaged, results-driven, highly effective workforce, especially in environments that are undergoing significant change and disruption.

In this interactive keynote, your team will discover:

  • What the brain does under pressure and specific tools to manage it more effectively.
  • Self-awareness: understanding the impact your leadership style has on your people.
  • Strategies to manage emotions when there is tension and conflict.
  • How to win the hearts and minds of your people by connecting to the emotions that drive their behavior.
  • Engaging stories from the frontlines of leaders who are stepping up and winning in the most challenging pressure-filled circumstances.

Why Meeting Your Biggest Challenges has Everything to Do with Leading Under Pressure

Your organization, like many others, is facing big challenges: whether it is an accelerated rate of change, threat of disruption, ambitious targets or aggressive competition; your people experience these organizational challenges as pressure. If not managed skillfully, this condition can result in
diminished performance, lower engagement, and an inability to deal with change. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Research is clear that some leaders are better prepared to handle and lead their people through these challenges more than others. In Bill Benjamin powerful keynote, based on the NY Times best-selling book, Performing Under Pressure, The Science of Doing Your Best When it Matters Most, your audience will learn how to leverage pressure to help them get to the other side of performance and succeed in achieving their most challenging goals.

In this cutting-edge keynote your team will learn:

  • What exceptional leaders do differently from the average, to help their people manage change and perform at their best.
  • How to build a culture ready to take “smart risks’ and innovate.
  • Specific tools to leverage pressure and help others get to the next level of performance.

ALL CHANGE IS PERSONAL
PERFORMING UNDER PRESSURE

Talent Short Bio

Bill Benjamin is a leading emotional intelligence expert, keynote speaker, and co-founder of the Institute for Health and Human Potential (IHHP). With advanced degrees in mathematics and computer science, he brings a rare analytical lens to the human side of leadership, translating complex brain science into practical tools leaders can apply under pressure. Bill began his career in the technology industry, where he discovered that technical expertise alone could not drive effective leadership. Struggling early on in high-stress roles, he became deeply invested in understanding the neuroscience of emotional regulation, a pursuit that ultimately transformed both his leadership style and his career trajectory.

Today, Bill blends 25 years of senior business leadership experience with cutting-edge research on emotional intelligence to help individuals and organizations perform at their best when it matters most. He works with executives, teams, and high-pressure industries to improve decision making, strengthen communication, and build cultures that thrive even in challenging environments. His delivery is grounded, relatable, and backed by science, offering audiences both motivation and measurable, actionable strategies.

Bill’s programs illuminate how the brain reacts under stress, how leaders can override counterproductive impulses, and how emotional intelligence fuels stronger relationships, collaboration, and organizational success.

Bill Benjamin is not your typical motivational speaker. With a background deeply rooted in mathematics and computer science, he stumbled upon a transformative realization while working in the technology industry – the power of managing emotions. This epiphany led him on a journey to become a leading authority in Emotional Intelligence (EI), eventually co-founding the Institute for Health and Human Potential (IHHP) to share these insights with the world.

Bill has a rare perspective – he has advanced degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science and has 25 years of real-world business experience as a senior leader.  Bill is very genuine about the fact that he struggled early in his career as a leader when he was under pressure. In his programs he shares how he has been able to apply the very same techniques he teaches to become a better leader and create a high-performing culture on the teams he leads–and how you can too.

In addition to using his background in sales to motivate and inspire audiences, Bill leverages his mathematics and technical background to take a practical and scientific approach to helping people understand how the brain responds under pressure, and how that can help increase leadership and performance.

Bill Benjamin is a leading expert in leveraging EI to enhance leadership effectiveness. Through his keynote speeches, he delves into the nuances of EI and its profound impact on leadership capabilities. By honing EI skills, leaders can foster stronger relationships, inspire teams, and drive organizational success.

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**Overview of User Reviews for Bill's Virtual Program**

Bill has received overwhelmingly positive feedback for his virtual training sessions, praised for his engaging delivery and deep understanding of adult learning principles. Users highlight his ability to maintain attention through compelling stories and analogies, making the content both inspiring and practical. Many appreciated the interactive nature of the sessions, with hands-on practice enhancing retention of strategies discussed.

Strengths:
– Engaging and interactive delivery style
– Deep knowledge of subject matter
– Ability to relate topics to real-world applications
– Inspiring and passionate approach, which resonates with participants
– Practical strategies that encourage active participation

Weaknesses:
– Some attendees expressed a desire for longer sessions to explore topics in more depth.

In summary, Bill's virtual programs are highly regarded for their insightful content and engaging presentation, making them a valuable experience for participants across various industries.

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