Erik Qualman

Entrepreneur, Technology and Digital Media Expert, Professor and Bestselling Author

Topics: Leadership, Innovation, Best Selling Author, Business Leadership, Business, Customer Experience, Entrepreneur, Professional Development, Strategy, TED Speakers, Inspirational & Motivational, Branding & Marketing, Corporate Culture

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Biography

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Erik Qualman is a globally recognized AI keynote speaker, digital leadership expert, and 5x #1 bestselling author who has spoken in over 60 countries and reached more than 60 million people. He helps organizations turn rapid change into competitive advantage by focusing on what matters most—how humans and AI work better together.

Known for helping leaders future-proof themselves in an AI-powered world, Erik goes beyond the hype to deliver practical, actionable insights that move audiences from awareness to action.

A former Silicon Valley executive and professor at Harvard and MIT’s edX Labs, he currently teaches Digital Leadership & AI at Northwestern University. His work sits at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and emerging technology.

Erik’s high-energy, interactive keynotes are designed to move audiences to action—literally and figuratively. Attendees often wear his signature green glasses as a reminder to focus on the future and prioritize big over busy.

Featured on 60 Minutes and in The Wall Street Journal, his work has been used by organizations ranging from Google to the FBI. He was voted the 2nd Most Likely Author in the World behind the Harry Potter series, and his “Things Happen for You, Not to You” commencement address is one of the most watched in the world.

This isn’t a lecture—it’s an experience. Audiences wear his signature green glasses, laugh, engage, and leave with clarity on how to focus on big vs. busy.

Qualman’s insights have been featured on 60 Minutes and in The Wall Street Journal, and adopted by organizations including Google, NASA, and the FBI. Qualman’s viral commencement speech on “Things Happen for You, Not to You” continues to inspire millions worldwide.

Contact us for Erik Qualman fees and availability

Videos

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TRANSFORMING YOUR FUTURE… TODAY

We don't have a choice on whether we digitally transform via AI. The choice is how well we do it. As a leading futurist, professor, and author, Erik Qualman is at the forefront of the AI revolution and the impact it’s having across all sectors.

The key is not only leveraging AI, social media, IoT, mobile, AI, and Blockchain, but more importantly, understanding how they work together to drive successful outcomes like winning customers, employee retention, and beyond. In short, it's about getting to artificial relevance.

1. Using AI to make your organization more efficient and human
2. Overcoming the challenges these new technologies present including successfully navigating ethical implications, job adjustments, algorithmic bias, employee retention, privacy, security, and more
3. Striking the right balance between AI and Eye-to-Eye (Jetsons + Flintstones)

This session will give you timeless tips on how to stay ahead today and tomorrow.

HOW TO FOCUS IN AN UNFOCUSED WORLD | BIG VS BUSY

It seems impossible to focus in this unfocused world. Yet, the main difference between winners and losers in this era of quantum change and distraction is ... Focus. Winners are constantly focusing on BIG things versus BUSY things. While it sounds simple, it’s not easy.

The #1 killer of promising careers, teams, and businesses is a lack of focus. We either try to do too much, get easily distracted, or put our time, treasures, and talent into the wrong buckets. Qualman shares insights from his #1 Bestselling book, The Focus Project, providing practical techniques to make focus a daily habit. Learning to focus in this unfocused world is a modern superpower. How and what we focus on today will determine our growth and success tomorrow.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Being the change vs fearing the change
2. Making focus a daily habit
3. Going Big vs Busy

FUTURE PROOFING YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION

Leaders this digital decade are made—not born. We don’t have a choice on whether we transform, the choice is how well we do it. The key is understanding & never forgetting the powerful harmony between the offline and online. While technology changes every second; human nature never does.

Based on profound and practical research, Qualman showcases the 5 Habits that drive success & happiness for employees, partners, and customers. Qualman reveals new techniques including Posting-It-Forward, Being Flawsome™, Socialnomics™, 1 to 10, and other insights that will transform your audience & organization. Learn how to stay a year ahead of your competition but never a year ahead of your market.

Key Takeaways:

1. The 5 Digital Leadership Habits of leading organizations.
2. New methods of innovation.
3. Future Proofing top-line and bottom-line growth.

BEING THE DISRUPTOR VS THE DISRUPTED

To ensure you are the disruptor versus the disrupted, you must understand societal shifts and instill a culture of creativity around them. This session looks at key future trends and their impact on your organization. Qualman provides the roadmap for your organization’s continual transformation by fostering a culture of daily innovation. After all, most innovation is evolutionary versus revolutionary. Leap over the competition by landing on a foundation of progressive and practical innovation principles. Future forward.

Erik’s supporting books: Digital Leader, Socialnomics, What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube

WINNING CUSTOMERS’ HEARTS + MINDS AT SCALE

Based on his #1 Bestseller, Qualman dives into the powerful concept of Socialnomics. Word of Mouth is on digital steroids and has transformed into World-of-Mouth. Organizations must learn the new rules of social, mobile, data, AI, and beyond or they will miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to earn customers’ loyalty and drive long-term success. Socialnomics is the key to winning customers’ hearts, minds, and wallets.

Erik’s supporting books: Digital Leader, Socialnomics, What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube

Testimonials

His depth of insight and breadth of examples have prompted us to shift our thinking on leadership.

– Starbucks

Qualman is to Digital Leadership what Deming is to quality and Drucker is to management.

– Scott Galloway, NYU Professor

Equalman raised the bar to a new high that few will be able to match. His presentation delivered a perfect mix of thought leadership, trends, and the building blocks required to thrive in this digital era.

– Sony PlayStation

Qualman was dynamic and inspiring. We appreciated that he tailored his presentation to suit our agency and audience.

– FBI

Qualman is to digital leadership what Deming is to quality and Drucker is to management.

– NYU Stern

Equalman's presentation was the most important business presentation — in terms of immediate impact in how I approach my job in sales — that I have sat through in 10 years!

– SVP of Sales, ADP

In an hour, Erik took us through the fast and immediate world of digital communication while delivering an inspirational message on how to get noticed professionally, improve personal brand image and how to be “FLAWSOME!” through the new rules of reputation. Thank you for your time and personally interacting after your presentation with each of our customers. Your time spent with us was inspirational and valuable.

– Global VP Sales | Hyatt

You've made such a difference for us — it's hard to articulate the different types of positive impact your virtual messages have had.

– Disney