Biography

Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. By showing people how to look closely at painting, sculpture, and photography, she helps them hone their visual intelligence to recognize the most pertinent and useful information and biases that impede decision-making. She developed her Art of Perception seminar in 2000 to improve medical students’ observation and communication skills with their patients when she was the Head of Education at The Frick Collection in New York City. She subsequently adapted the program for a wide range of professionals and leads sessions internationally for the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the French National Police, the Department of Defense, Interpol, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, the military, and the intelligence community.

In her highly participatory presentation, she demonstrates the relevance of visual literacy across the professional spectrum and how analyzing works of art affords participants in her program an innovative way to refresh their sense of critical inquiry and reconsider the skills necessary for improved performance and effective leadership. The program has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The CBS Evening News, and Smithsonian Magazine, among others. Her TED talk, A Lesson in Looking, went live in December 2018. Ms. Herman holds an A.B., a J.D., and an M.A. in art history. Her book, Visual Intelligence, was published in May 2016 and was on both the New York Times and Washington Post best sellers’ lists.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The Art of Perception: Seeing What Matters Now

Based on her best-selling book, Visual Intelligence, Amy Herman’s workshop, The Art of Perception, is an interactive program that teaches participants across the professional
spectrum to analyze works of art as a vehicle to enhance their observation, perception, and communication skills. Looking at works of art as a group will challenge participants’ assumptions --- individually and collectively -- and refresh critical inquiry skills by incorporating multiple perspectives into their thinking. In light of the pandemic’s shift in our situational awareness, the program’s exercises are designed to meet new accessibility challenges to a virtual community and refresh the ability to communicate concisely and effectively especially in the face of change. Works of art are engaged to address breakdowns in precise communication of critical information, navigate new landscapes, and remove assumptions to promote best
practices and more effective problem-solving. Prepare to have your eyes opened when you didn’t even know they were closed.

Getting to Fixed: New Lenses for Problem Solving

Building on the skills of visual intelligence taught in The Art of Perception course, Amy Herman’s newest session, Getting to Fixed: New Lenses for Effective Problem Solving, based on her new book, Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem-Solving (December 2021) teaches how to use works of art to see impediments from a different perspective and challenge our default thinking. The last two years have afforded all of us an opportunity to shift the paradigm to reconsider our available resources to craft innovative solutions. This highly participatory
workshop leverages these new insights to open up possibilities otherwise overlooked and provide sustainable tools to resolve myriad problems, from minor annoyances to intractable
dilemmas. Things go wrong all the time, but what matters most is understanding what we can do to fix them.

Booksby Amy Herman

Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving

Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life

Blog Posts

The Power of Optimism & Choosing to Focus Forward

Learn practical tips to cultivate optimism daily, plus insights on how optimism differs from hope and why it’s so powerful in creating meaningful connections.

Read More

How Events Are Shaping Experiences and Exceeding Expectations

Discover how events are evolving into immersive experiences and learn how to exceed attendee expectations.

Read More

The Power of Improvisation in an AI-Driven World

Discover the power of improvisation in an AI-driven world, enhancing adaptability, teamwork, and authentic human connection with insights from expert keynote speakers.

Read More

What You Can Do to Overcome Your Insecurities

Discover how to overcome insecurities in leadership with insights from keynote speaker Michelle Anne Johnson, focusing on personal empowerment and success.

Read More

How to Teach Kids Accountability So They Can Thrive in Life

Learn how to teach kids accountability and leadership through lessons on integrity and decision-making with insights from motivational speaker Rashmi Airan.

Read More

Lessons From Disney’s Magical Customer Experience with Dennis Snow

Discover lessons from Disney's magical customer experience and how to create brand loyalty and employee engagement with leadership keynote speaker Dennis Snow.

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

 

The Power of Optimism & Choosing to Focus Forward

Learn practical tips to help you cultivate optimism daily, plus insights on how optimism differs...

Read More

How Events Are Shaping Experiences and Exceeding Expectations

Events are rapidly transforming from traditional gatherings into immersive experiences that captivate attendees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7TJEdYZDgc&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm With...

Read More

The Power of Improvisation in an AI-Driven World

Why Improvisation is Essential in a Tech-Focused Era In an era where artificial intelligence is...

Read More

What You Can Do to Overcome Your Insecurities

Understanding Insecurities and Their Impact on Leadership https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9JD7cEZlfE&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm Insecurities affect how we present ourselves, especially...

Read More

How to Teach Kids Accountability So They Can Thrive in Life

The Power of Teaching Accountability Through Leadership and Integrity https://youtu.be/Vn0nJwyDSHI As parents, we all want...

Read More

Lessons From Disney’s Magical Customer Experience with Dennis Snow

What Makes Disney’s Customer Experience Unforgettable? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g09WV73f6MM&list=PLXTlGHk63lLhUq_lEU1bnM3LbQgMfwD-u Watch this week’s podcast episode here: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon...

Read More