What qualities do you look for most in a keynote speaker?

Keynote Speech · Jun 24, 2026

There are plenty of keynote speakers with impressive achievements, qualifications and experience, but that doesn't always mean they're the ones people remember afterwards.

When you're listening to a keynote speaker, what qualities matter most to you?

Is it expertise, storytelling, authenticity, humour, audience engagement, practical takeaways, or something else?

Interested to hear what people value most.

Newchodge · Jun 24, 2026

Keynote Speech said:
There are plenty of keynote speakers with impressive achievements, qualifications and experience, but that doesn't always mean they're the ones people remember afterwards.

When you're listening to a keynote speaker, what qualities matter most to you?

Is it expertise, storytelling, authenticity, humour, audience engagement, practical takeaways, or something else?

Interested to hear what people value most.

Isn't this a duplicate of your previous post?

JEREMY HAWKE · Jun 24, 2026

I can tell a few stories

fisicx · Jun 25, 2026

Keynote Speech said:
When you're listening to a keynote speaker, what qualities matter most to you?

If they can tell a compelling story.

They don't need any achievements or qualifications, they just need to be able to talk and hold the audience.

The last so called keynote speech I attended was a rambling mess. They were a highly qualified analyst and focused so much on the details they missed the big picture. We all came away more confused than when we went in.

Two facts in 20 minutes. Then change topic for 2 more. The less you present the more is likely to be retained.

@Keynote Speech - what do you think make a good speech/lecture/talk?

Mark T Jones · Jun 26, 2026

It's funny, but your posts always make me feel there is a sales pitch coming (happily, so far I've been wrong)

Do people - outside conference organisers - actually relate to the term 'keynote speaker'?

For me, apart from knowing their stuff, I look for relatable language and terminology and a decent splash of humour. Ideally irreverent humour, but I guess context matters there...

Keynote Speech · Jun 26, 2026

Mark T Jones said:
It's funny, but your posts always make me feel there is a sales pitch coming (happily, so far I've been wrong)

Do people - outside conference organisers - actually relate to the term 'keynote speaker'?

For me, apart from knowing their stuff, I look for relatable language and terminology and a decent splash of humour. Ideally irreverent humour, but I guess context matters there...

No sales pitches here, I promise! I'm genuinely just interested in hearing people's opinions and experiences from the business world.

That's a fair point on the terminology though. I also agree about humour. The speakers we've seen become the most popular have always felt knowledgeable without taking themselves too seriously.

Keynote Speech · Jun 26, 2026

fisicx said:
If they can tell a compelling story.

They don't need any achievements or qualifications, they just need to be able to talk and hold the audience.

The last so called keynote speech I attended was a rambling mess. They were a highly qualified analyst and focused so much on the details they missed the big picture. We all came away more confused than when we went in.

Two facts in 20 minutes. Then change topic for 2 more. The less you present the more is likely to be retained.

@Keynote Speech - what do you think make a good speech/lecture/talk?

I think you've hit on something there. I've found the talks I remember most aren't necessarily the ones with the most information, they're the ones with one or two really clear ideas backed up by a good story.

For me, a good speech leaves you with something practical or a different way of looking at a problem. If people are still talking about it afterwards, I'd say it's done its job.

Keynote Speech · Jun 26, 2026

Newchodge said:
Isn't this a duplicate of your previous post?

My previous post was more about what makes a talk memorable, such as the actual content of the speech. Whereas this one was aimed at what people value in the speaker themselves. I thought it would be interesting to see whether people prioritise expertise, storytelling, humour, fame or something else.

MikeJ · Jun 26, 2026

Attended dozens of conferences over the years, but never heard a keynote speaker that really impacted on me. One year it was supposed to be Richard Branson, who we assumed would fly in. He didn't, he dialled in from overseas and the comms didn't work, so it was a complete waste of time.

Search

Search

What qualities do you look for most in a keynote speaker?

Keynote Speech

Newchodge

JEREMY HAWKE

fisicx

Mark T Jones

Keynote Speech

Keynote Speech

Keynote Speech

MikeJ

Similar threads

Latest Articles