Sylvia Baffour: Motivational Speaker

Global keynote speaker and author, equips leaders with emotional intelligence strategies to build trust, resilience, empathy, and peak performance.

Highlights:
  • She is ranked among the top 15 female motivational speakers by HubSpot, the world’s leading inbound marketing and sales platform.
  • Audiences benefit from her proprietary Dare to Care™ system, which introduces them to emotional intelligence tools and strategies needed to thrive and succeed in and out of the workplace.
  • Clients consistently single out her ability to both deeply understand their needs and customize her presentation, as an invaluable asset.

Formats:

Keynote speaker (live and virtual), Leadership and EI workshop facilitator
Executive coach


Audience:

Corporate executives, HR leaders, organizational development teams, and professionals seeking resilience, empathy, and effective leadership in changing environments.


Outcomes:
  1. Develop emotionally intelligent leadership with the Dare to Care™ framework.
  2. Build adaptability and resilience during times of disruption.
  3. Cultivate empathy-driven cultures that foster trust and belonging.
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Washington, District of Columbia
  • **Fee range: $10,000 - $15,000

Keynote Topics

Talent Short Bio

Sylvia Baffour is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, author, and emotional intelligence strategist. Recognized by HubSpot as one of the Top 15 Female Motivational Speakers alongside Oprah Winfrey and Mel Robbins, she blends storytelling, research, and practical frameworks to transform leadership and workplace culture. Having lived in over eight countries and fluent in five languages, she connects authentically with audiences of all backgrounds.

Her signature Dare to Care™ framework helps organizations elevate leadership effectiveness, resilience, and empathy, while her bestselling book I Dare You to Care equips professionals with actionable strategies to harness emotional intelligence. Sylvia has addressed audiences in more than 20 countries and impacted over 60,000 professionals through conferences, workshops, and executive coaching.

She has partnered with organizations such as the World Bank, Whirlpool, Lockheed Martin, and Doctors Without Borders, where her engaging, high-energy presentations empower leaders and teams to thrive in times of challenge and change. Known for her dynamic style and interactive approach, Sylvia ensures her audiences leave with both inspiration and practical strategies they can apply immediately.

Sylvia Baffour, a Motivational Speaker, Trainer, and Emotional Intelligence Coach, is your guide to creating a vibrant work culture.

With a global perspective from living in multiple countries, Sylvia effortlessly connects with diverse audiences, offering valuable insights that resonate on a personal level.

As President of Baffour International LLC., Sylvia leads organizations to success through emotional intelligence strategies. Her expertise is captured in her book, “I Dare You to Care,” which explores the power of emotional intelligence for inspiring growth and influence.

Renowned as one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers, Sylvia’s engaging style captivates audiences, leaving a lasting impact. Her talent earned her a place among HubSpot’s Top 15 Female Motivational Speakers, alongside the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Mel Robbins.

Book Sylvia Baffour as your keynote speaker, and you’ll gain a fun, approachable professional who cares deeply about empowering your organization. Experience the perfect blend of laughter, inspiration, and growth with Sylvia, as she helps you build a thriving work culture.

Sylvia Baffour, a Motivational Speaker, is renowned for her expertise in cultural matters. With a captivating presence and deep understanding of various cultures, Sylvia delivers powerful speeches that inspire and motivate audiences worldwide. Her unique approach to cultural awareness and empowerment makes Sylvia Baffour a sought-after speaker in the industry.

For the past 18 years, Sylvia Baffour has helped organizations build and sustain thriving work cultures through unique, effective systems rooted in emotional intelligence strategies. Her approach combines professionalism with a genuine sense of approachability and fun, making her a captivating and engaging speaker.

What sets Sylvia apart is her commitment to understanding your organization’s specific needs, challenges, and concerns. By customizing her sessions, she ensures that each presentation is uniquely crafted to meet your requirements. She takes the time to focus on your group’s goals, fostering an environment where growth and progress can thrive.

Sylvia Baffour is not just a motivational speaker, but also a trainer and emotional intelligence coach who has dedicated her life to empowering others to unlock their full potential, navigate life’s challenges, and lead more fulfilling lives.

With a charismatic presence and an unwavering commitment to personal growth, Sylvia Baffour has become a respected figure in the field of motivation and emotional intelligence. Her journey towards becoming a catalyst for positive change in the lives of countless individuals is a testament to her passion and determination.

Born with an innate ability to connect with people on a profound level, Sylvia embarked on her motivational journey early in life. She recognized the transformative power of words and the profound impact they can have on individuals facing adversity. Through her own life experiences and challenges, she discovered that motivation was not just about offering platitudes but about fostering genuine self-belief and resilience.

Sylvia’s path to becoming a motivational speaker was paved with personal growth and self-discovery. She sought knowledge and honed her skills, earning certifications in emotional intelligence coaching and personal development. This dedication to her craft allowed her to develop a unique approach to motivational speaking—one that combines the art of storytelling with the science of emotional intelligence.

One of Sylvia’s remarkable qualities is her ability to craft narratives that resonate deeply with her audience. She weaves her personal experiences into her speeches, sharing her triumphs and setbacks, which allows others to connect with her on a profound level. Her authenticity is her greatest asset, and it allows her to touch the hearts and minds of those who hear her speak.

As a trainer, Sylvia Baffour goes beyond motivational speeches to equip individuals with practical skills and strategies for personal and professional growth. Her training sessions are immersive, interactive, and tailored to meet the specific needs of her audience. Whether it’s a corporate team seeking to improve workplace dynamics or individuals looking to enhance their emotional intelligence, Sylvia’s training programs provide tangible tools for personal transformation.

Emotional intelligence is a cornerstone of Sylvia’s work. She understands that one’s ability to recognize and manage their emotions, as well as empathize with others, is fundamental to success in all aspects of life. Through her coaching, she helps individuals develop emotional resilience, effective communication skills, and self-awareness, empowering them to navigate complex situations with grace and confidence.

Sylvia’s impact extends far beyond the stage or training room. Her clients and audiences often describe life-changing shifts in their mindset and behavior after working with her. Whether it’s breaking free from limiting beliefs, embracing change, or fostering stronger relationships, Sylvia’s guidance has a profound and lasting effect.

In addition to her one-on-one coaching and training sessions, Sylvia Baffour has also authored books and created online courses to make her wisdom and expertise accessible to a wider audience. Her written works and digital resources serve as valuable companions to her live sessions, reinforcing the principles of motivation and emotional intelligence.

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Talent Videos

Sylvia Baffour | Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, and Leadership for Peak Performance

Sylvia Baffour inspires audiences with powerful storytelling, emotional intelligence strategies, and practical tools to rise above challenges and achieve peak performance.

Summary

In this keynote highlight, Sylvia Baffour is introduced as a leading voice in emotional intelligence, leadership, and change management. Recognized among the top 18 speakers at the World Championships of Public Speaking in Malaysia, she brings an engaging, personable presence that resonates across cultures.

Having traveled to more than 20 countries and speaking five languages, Sylvia emphasizes the universal human desire to feel valued. She designs her keynotes around connecting with what matters most to each audience, blending personal stories, interactive exercises, and global insights. Preparation is key—she researches audience needs, collaborates with meeting planners, and crafts dynamic sessions that balance professional lessons with personal fulfillment.

Through her storytelling, Sylvia shares inspiring examples of resilience, empathy, and overcoming barriers. She encourages participants to shift perspective from “Why did this happen to me?” to “How can I rise above this?”—a mindset that transforms both professional and personal challenges. Her interactive approach keeps audiences leaning in, often calling on participants to spark engagement and reflection.

Audience feedback highlights her impact: inspiring, exciting, and motivating with actionable takeaways. Many appreciated reminders to focus on what can be controlled, to embrace resilience, and to lead with empathy. By the end, Sylvia’s message is clear: long after her talks conclude, her audiences walk away with practical tools to leap beyond their barriers to peak performance.

Key Moments

00:00 — Introduction: top speaker on emotional intelligence and leadership
00:40 — Global experience and ability to connect across cultures
02:00 — Making audiences feel valued and engaged
03:10 — Balancing professional and personal fulfillment
04:20 — Behind-the-scenes preparation for audience-specific talks
05:00 — Storytelling: resilience and overcoming barriers
06:30 — Interactive audience engagement
07:20 — Audience feedback: inspiring, motivational, practical takeaways
08:15 — Closing: tools to leap beyond barriers to peak performance

Sylvia Baffour explains why emotional intelligence drives performance in today’s workplaces and equips leaders with strategies to inspire, motivate, and connect.

Summary

In this short feature, Sylvia Baffour positions emotional intelligence as the defining currency of leadership in the 21st century. She explains that intellectual ability alone is no longer enough for leaders who want to drive sustained performance. Instead, because emotions drive people and people drive results, leaders must invest in developing emotional intelligence skills.

Sylvia shares her passion for helping people and organizations achieve peak performance through emotional intelligence strategies. She emphasizes that leaders who care about performance must equally care about cultivating skills in empathy, relationship-building, and resilience. This includes the ability to earn trust, motivate teams, hold difficult conversations with compassion, and guide organizations through times of change and uncertainty.

Her message underscores a shift in leadership priorities: technical skills and knowledge matter, but they are not sufficient. The leaders who will succeed are those who understand and manage emotions—their own and those of others—while creating cultures where people feel valued and motivated to contribute at their best.

By blending insight with practical application, Sylvia positions emotional intelligence not just as a personal asset, but as a leadership necessity. Her call to action is clear: if leaders want peak organizational performance, they must embrace emotional intelligence as a core leadership competency.

Key Moments

00:00 — Emotional intelligence defined as leadership’s essential currency
00:20 — Why emotions drive people and performance
00:45 — Sylvia’s passion for helping organizations achieve peak performance
01:10 — Skills leaders need: trust, empathy, motivation, and navigating change
01:40 — Call to action: adopt emotional intelligence for sustainable success

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Talent FAQ's

Emotional intelligence, leadership, resilience, empathy in action, and navigating change effectively.

Sylvia’s global background living in multiple countries, speaking several languages and her emotional intelligence expertise enable her to connect deeply with varied audiences and bring culturally nuanced, practical leadership tools to life.

Her contagious energy, storytelling prowess, and ability to turn insights into action give audiences both inspiration and clear, actionable results.

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Talent FAQ

Emotional intelligence, leadership, resilience, empathy in action, and navigating change effectively.

Sylvia’s global background living in multiple countries, speaking several languages and her emotional intelligence expertise enable her to connect deeply with varied audiences and bring culturally nuanced, practical leadership tools to life.

Her contagious energy, storytelling prowess, and ability to turn insights into action give audiences both inspiration and clear, actionable results.

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