Trusted by leaders at
Keynotes for HR audiences at
A speaker who bringsa fresh perspective from outside of the traditional HR space
Mike's leadership approach is refreshingly down-to-earth, authentic, and straightforward. The concepts he shared are transformative on both professional and personal levels, paving the way for more effective leadership and an impactful life.
Mike's storytelling is exceptional, driving powerful emotions. The session was filled with insightful, thought-provoking, and actionable ideas that I know our members are eager to implement for personal growth and to serve their people. If you're looking for a speaker that brings a fresh perspective from outside of the traditional HR space we can't recommend him high enough.
What NC SHRM attendees saidPost-session survey, North Carolina SHRM State Conference
The biggest takeaway I got was the power of presence. By becoming aware of our body, mind, situation or feelings, we can create better actions.
I liked remembering and reflecting on why I got into HR.
Wish the talk was longer! Bring Mike back next year!
Survey results collected by Talkadot.
HR is carrying the weight ofconstant change
HR teams are asked to roll out AI, keep people engaged and hold the culture together. All while their own focus gets pulled in ten directions.
Our minds wander almost half the day
Harvard researchers found our minds are somewhere other than the task in front of us 47% of the time. Deloitte found 41% of the workday goes to work that doesn't create value.
Speed is now the strategy
7 in 10 business leaders say their main competitive strategy for the next three years is to be fast and nimble. This is the slowest the pace of change will ever be.
Burnout is now the norm
89% of U.S. employees say they have experienced burnout. In a Mayo Clinic study of executives, those with lower resilience were 4x more likely to report depression and almost 3x more likely to report anxiety.
Sources: Killingsworth & Gilbert, Harvard University (Science, 2010); Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends; Visier Burnout Epidemic Report; Kermott et al., Mayo Clinic (PLOS ONE, 2019).
Every HR team has been asked to do more with less. AI will save some time, but it will also raise the bar. Meeting this moment takes more capacity, not more hours.
So stop asking how to get more out of your people. Start asking how to bring more presence into the hours you already have.
Culture, belonging and well-being are essential. Presence is what powers them. People can only connect, care and do their best work when they are fully there.
Present Under
Pressure
How HR leaders drive engagement, belonging and top talent in an age of AI and noise.
- Activate personal and organizational purpose to drive employee engagement and focus during constant change.
- Shift from outcome-driven to legacy-driven leadership by getting clear on how you want to be remembered, so you show up that way in the moments that matter.
- Apply practical presence skills that sharpen focus, lift performance and protect well-being.
- Use heart-centered leadership practices to build psychological safety and belonging on your teams.
- Attract and retain top talent by making purpose and growth part of your employee value proposition.
Mike's sessions have been approved for both SHRM and HRCI recertification credit at multiple HR conferences.
Fits HR conference themes like employee engagement, burnout and resilience, change management, AI and workplace culture.
What HR audiencesand leaders say
It was a pleasure to work with Mike Lee.Stephen CurryNBA MVP
Mike's message is inspiring and is rooted in practicality. The strategies he's teaching will help your people unlock the potential within.Larry MurphyFormer Chief Strategy Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Mike's latest book is a manual for individual and organizational high performance… a visionary guide on how to get better at just about anything, including engagement, retention, talent attraction and organizational leadership.Eric SeversonFormer Chief People and Belonging Officer, Neiman Marcus Group
Former Co-CHRO, Gap Inc.
Wow, you took my breath away today. Your talk was extremely powerful! Exactly what I needed to hear today!TriState SHRMAttendee
Your keynote session was exactly what we needed to inspire our team of 400 employees… Four employees brought their letters to their manager, and as he read them, he broke down in tears, a rare sight among our tough, blue-collar team… You’ve helped us create a culture of heart-centered leadership that will drive not only personal growth but also the rapid scaling of our business.Jackie HoffmanDirector of Client Engagement and Culture, Groundworks
Best presentation by far. I could not take notes fast enough. The definitions of mindfulness, meditation and EQ are so helpful.NHRMAAttendee
Mike, your keynote speaker session at the recent NHRMA conference was great! Mindfulness, and meditation, specifically, was more of a buzzword to me heading into the session. You took it from a buzzword to something real, tangible. More importantly, your examples inspired me to action. Thank you!Carrie SchleicherHR Manager, PwC
This is exactly what has been missing from our leadership style during this pandemic… this inspires me to work with my team to move through adversity.SHRMAttendee
So inspiring! The world needs to hear what you have to say!SHRM MemberAttendee
Excellent speaker and great level of enthusiasm for the subject.NC SHRMAttendee
I liked remembering and reflecting on why I got into HR.
Built for the peoplewho lead people
CHROs &
HR executives
Leadership offsites and executive retreats where the people strategy gets set for the year ahead.
SHRM
chapters
State and local SHRM conferences that need a keynote with real HR results and recertification credit.
HR
associations
Regional and national HR, talent and higher education HR conferences looking for a fresh perspective.
People &
talent teams
Corporate HR, L&D and people teams bringing presence and resilience to their whole organization.
Easy to book,built for
your audience
Initial consultation
Initiate a kick-off call with stakeholders to understand desired outcomes, aspirations, and the transformation they seek from the program.
Research and discovery
Conduct thorough research and interviews to gather insights, ensuring the content is timely, actionable, and relevant for maximum impact and transformation.
Tailored program development
Identify the intersection between the content and the client's challenges, allowing for the creation of a tailored program that specifically addresses their needs and drives tangible results.
Review and alignment
Schedule a review call, if necessary, to ensure that the developed content aligns seamlessly with the objectives outlined during the initial consultation.
Program delivery
Mike will present an inspiring and engaging program, incorporating actionable strategies and thought-provoking ideas to captivate the audience and drive the desired transformation.
Sustained impact
Each client will receive access to resources designed to reinforce the impact from the program and apply key concepts.
for the Future
of Leadership
“Through relatable stories, actionable strategies and counter-cultural exercises, Mike’s book will help you answer your call to greatness.”
He trained the best to perform under pressure.Until he had to
rebuild himself
For 15 years, Mike Lee worked with basketball's elite. He coached NBA star Joel Embiid and served as assistant director at Steph Curry's first skills academy. He pushed himself to his edge, and pulled others to their next level.
Then a health crisis took him out. His energy was gone and his self-trust was shattered. The old playbook of pushing harder only made it worse.
So he rebuilt. Not all at once. Moment by moment.
Mindfulness and Eastern philosophy became tools for survival, not ideas. Along the way he found what he teaches today: performance only happens in the present moment, and presence is a skill anyone can build. That became his HeartMind framework: the heart of a conscious leader meets the mindset of an elite athlete. It's a modern approach to performing at your best and bringing out the best in others.
Today Mike is a Top 50 keynote speaker named by Real Leaders, an executive coach and the founder of MindShift Labs. Blending storytelling, science and real-time moments of reflection and learning, he delivers an experience that is both inspiring and immediately actionable. Your audience leaves with tools they can use with their teams the next day.
Booking an HR keynote?Common questions
Is Mike Lee an HR keynote speaker?
Yes. Mike speaks to HR and people audiences at SHRM state and chapter conferences, HR associations and corporate people teams. At the North Carolina SHRM State Conference, 97% of the 240 attendees who answered the post-session survey found the session valuable.
How is Mike different from other HR keynote speakers?
Culture, belonging and well-being are essential, and Mike's keynote supports all three. His focus is presence under pressure: the focus and capacity HR leaders and their people need to make engagement, change and culture work. He brings 15 years with basketball's elite and his own story of rebuilding after a health crisis, moment by moment.
How much does it cost to book Mike as a keynote speaker?
Fees depend on the date, location, format and audience. Send your event details and Mike will follow up personally with options that fit your conference.
What do meeting planners get to promote and run the session?
Planners get Mike's bio, stage intro, A/V needs, photos and speaker kit, all linked at the bottom of this page. Mike also provides the session description and learning objectives for SHRM and HRCI credit applications.
Who is a good keynote speaker for a SHRM or HR conference?
Look for a speaker who has spoken to HR audiences, tailors the talk to your theme, and gives people tools they can use the next day. Mike Lee is a Top 50 keynote speaker (Real Leaders) who has keynoted the North Carolina SHRM State Conference for about 600 HR professionals, plus TriState SHRM, NHRMA, PIHRA, Green Bay SHRM and SHRM Guam.
What does Mike Lee speak about for HR audiences?
His signature keynote, Present Under Pressure, shows HR leaders how to drive engagement, build psychological safety and belonging, and attract and keep top talent, while staying focused under pressure in an age of AI and noise. It fits conference themes like employee engagement, burnout and resilience, change management, AI and workplace culture. See all of Mike’s keynote topics.
Is Mike's keynote eligible for SHRM and HRCI recertification credit?
Mike's sessions have been approved for both SHRM and HRCI recertification credit at multiple HR conferences. Mike provides the session description and learning objectives your conference needs to apply.
Does Mike tailor the keynote to our conference?
Yes. Every keynote starts with a kick-off call and research into your audience, so the talk ties into your theme and your members' real challenges. When the schedule allows, Mike also sits in on earlier sessions to connect his talk to them.
How long is the keynote, and are workshops available?
Mike delivers 45- to 75-minute keynotes and half-day workshops. Attendees also get access to resources after the event to keep putting the ideas into practice.
How far in advance should we book a keynote speaker?
Most state and regional HR conferences book their keynote speakers 6 to 12 months ahead. If you already have a date, reach out now to check Mike's availability, even if your event is sooner.
Where is Mike Lee based?
Mike is based in Miami, Florida, and speaks at conferences and company events across the United States and internationally.
Planning aSHRM conference
or HR event?
Send your date and location. Mike will follow up personally to see if he's a fit for your audience.