Biography

Erik Wahl is an internationally recognized artist, TED speaker, and bestselling author. His breakthrough experience as an artist and entrepreneur has translated into making him into one of the most sought-after corporate speakers on the circuit today.

On stage, Erik’s keynote experience creates a dynamic multidimensional metaphor for how to systematically embrace innovation and risk. His message: disruption is the new normal and businesses must embrace creativity in a wholesale fashion, or risk being left behind. Erik’s presentation inspires organizations to be increasingly agile and outlines how to use disruption as a competitive advantage. Some companies will be disrupted others will choose to be the disruptor. Choose wisely.

His new book, The Spark and the Grind, activates the essential components of translating ideas into action. His breakthrough thinking has earned praise from the likes of top influencers in both art and business. Erik’s previous book, a bestseller called Unthink was hailed by Forbes Magazine as the blueprint to actionable creativity, and by Fast Company Magazine as “provocative with a purpose.”

The Warhol of Wall Street, the Renoir of ROI, The Picasso of Productivity, the Jobs of … Well, Jobs. Erik discovered an alarming truth early in his career as a partner in a corporate firm: organizations that encouraged the mental discipline of creativity did better than those that did not put innovation as a priority mission. So he set out to challenge companies to change their way of thinking.

In the meantime, inspired by street art, he became an acclaimed graffiti artist—though he has since stopped selling his works for personal gain, and instead uses his art to raise money for charities. His keynote is where his passion for business growth and art converge into a fascinating performance.

Erik’s list of clients includes AT&T, Disney, London School of Business, Microsoft, FedEx, Exxon Mobil, Ernst & Young, and XPrize.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The art of vision:

The most effective way to gain a sustainable advantage in the business world is by setting yourself apart from your competitors. In this engaging and highly practical program, we will explore innovative methods to enhance your organization's creativity, innovation, and profitability. Additionally, we will emphasize the importance of equipping your employees with storytelling skills, both within your company and throughout your industry.

By adopting innovative approaches, professionals at all levels can achieve exceptional levels of performance by distinguishing themselves creatively and visibly from the competition. Whether you lead a small company or a large corporation, employees at all levels will be better equipped to face the future with increased innovation, productivity, and, ultimately, greater profitability.

Adapting to Continuous Disruption:

Businesses must embrace mental flexibility

Avoid obsolescence in an age of disruption

Some organizations face disruption, while others gain a competitive edge as disruptors

The Power of Art unlocks intellectual curiosity

Dynamic thinking enhances human potential, nurtures trust, compassion, relationships, leadership, and service

Transcends automation

Connects on a deeply human level

Acts as a gateway to complex problem-solving

Facing the Challenge of AI:

Automation's inevitable advance

The risk of falling behind generative AI

The solution: Human creativity

Mental adaptability and flexibility are crucial for staying relevant

The Art of Leadership.

Today’s leaders face a pressure to innovate – or else perish – unlike any other time in history. Advances in social, mobile, and cloud technology coupled with fierce global competition have made the business landscape nearly unrecognizable from what it was a mere 10 years ago.

Erik Wahl’s entertaining and invigorating Art of Leadership presentation paints a compelling new portrait for what the successful leaders of tomorrow will look like. He inspires audiences to shed old ways of thinking and “business as usual” processes that are outdated, inefficient, and detrimental to productivity. Audience members learn new ways to build an emotional connection to drive future employee engagement. Erik’s presentation stretches traditional assumptions on leadership. The end results include:

Innovative solutions to further your organization

Attracting and engaging quality employees

New efficiencies and the end of detrimental redundancies

Growth and comfort cannot co-exist. When leaders come from a place of authenticity, curiosity, exploration, and purpose, this leads to more meaningful connections among team members and with clients and customers – and ultimately, a more profitable organization. An engaged employee equals an engaged customer.

The Spark and the Grind the discipline of creativity.

It’s one thing to understand the importance of creativity to the success of your business, but what most people don’t understand is to how to put a structure in place so that innovation can find its way. The paradox of creativity is that structure creates freedom. Even the wildest minds require extreme orderliness and attention to detail so that they have the space and discipline to create.

Consider:

Beethoven sat down everyday at daybreak, regardless of season, and composed until 3:00pm.

Kafka started writing at 11:30pm each night.

Mozart taught lessons by day and composed only in the evenings.

Picasso ate lunch each day with his family in silence and only allowed visitors one day per week.

Mark Twain awoke at 5:30 am, ate a hearty breakfast, and wrote until 5:00 pm.

This program will allow your organization to:

Deconstruct the discipline of the creative process to ignite ideas to action.

Explores The Psychology of Success and the Science of Innovation to achieve superior levels of performance.

Harness The mental toughness required to navigate ambiguity and master complexity in a rapidly changing business environment

Disruption is the new normal. Are you creating or reacting?

Erik and Tasha Wahl Interview.

60 minutes curated Q and A with Tasha and Erik Wahl to talk about 20 years of growing a business and consulting for organizations worldwide, 29 years of marriage, and honest conversations about growth, failure, resistance and gratitude.

Testimonials

Erik’s presentation was one of the highlights of our three day conference for financial institutions! People were not just inspired, they were challenged to look at things differently, which I believe will make a positive impact on the financial service’s industry. Erik and his entire team were wonderful to work with and I would definitely hire him again and highly recommend him to others!
– Gwen Peters, Senior Event Manager, Digital Insight, an NCR company
Jaw dropping!
– In Concert Web
Erik Wahl was the highlight of our entire conference. He captured everyone’s imagination with his creativity and added a whole new dimension to the usual motivational message. Not to mention his artistic finale was a complete knockout!
– AT&T
Erik’s keynote set our twitter feed on fire. His revolutionary show gave our attendees an experience they won’t soon forget.
– Association for Talent Development
Energizing!
– Celgene
Brilliant!
– Wells Fargo
Game changer!
– Microsoft
He was the best keynote we have ever had.
– Executive Officer Club
Erik transforms the stage and created an epic audience experience.
– Grand Canyon University

Booksby Erik Wahl

Unchain the Elephant

Unthink

The Spark and the Grind

Blog Posts

https://thekeynotecurators.com/wp-content/themes/thekeynotecurators

Top Personal Development Speakers to Inspire Growth, Confidence, and Success

Why are personal development speakers in such demand? In today’s ever-evolving workplace, technical skills get your foot in the door but it’s personal growth that keeps you thriving. The most successful leaders and organizations have...

Read More

How Embracing Regret Can Transform Your Life with Daniel Pink

In this podcast episode, learn how regret can be a strategic tool for success with insights from keynote speaker and bestselling author Daniel Pink.

Read More

Sports Motivational Speakers: Mindset Lessons from the World’s Best Athletes

Why are sports motivational speakers such a slam dunk for today’s corporate and conference audiences? Because no one understands the link between mindset, pressure, and performance like athletes do. Whether they’re training for gold, climbing...

Read More

Keep Climbing: Resilience and Grit in the Face of Adversity

In this newsletter, learn how intentional growth, resilience, and grit empower you to keep climbing despite adversity.

Read More

Mastering Negotiation To Get Anything You Want with Alexandra Carter

Learn negotiation strategies, how to use emotional intelligence to ask the right questions and create win-win outcomes with keynote speaker Alexandra Carter.

Read More

Top Keynote Speakers on Building Resilience: Expert Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Thrive

Why are speakers on building resilience so important? Well, did you know only 19% of leaders feel equipped to manage unexpected disruptions effectively? In today’s volatile world, resilience isn't just desirable—it's essential. From economic uncertainty...

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 
https://thekeynotecurators.com/wp-content/themes/thekeynotecurators

Top Personal Development Speakers to Inspire Growth, Confidence, and Success

Why are personal development speakers in such demand? In today’s ever-evolving workplace, technical skills get...

Read More

How Embracing Regret Can Transform Your Life with Daniel Pink

Regret isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom in disguise. In our fast-paced, often unpredictable world, regret can be...

Read More

Sports Motivational Speakers: Mindset Lessons from the World’s Best Athletes

Why are sports motivational speakers such a slam dunk for today’s corporate and conference audiences?...

Read More

Keep Climbing: Resilience and Grit in the Face of Adversity

There’s a moment in every climb when the summit seems too far, the air too...

Read More

Mastering Negotiation To Get Anything You Want with Alexandra Carter

Negotiation isn’t about winning—it’s about understanding. In a world where meaningful communication and true empowerment...

Read More

Top Keynote Speakers on Building Resilience: Expert Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Thrive

Why are speakers on building resilience so important? Well, did you know only 19% of...

Read More