Graeme Cowan helps future-ready leaders build more caring and resilient teams, who enjoy growing together.
He loves being a professional speaker because sharing ideas can lead to conversations, and conversations can lead to action and change. As a Board Director of R U OK?, he has watched this simple idea lead to massive change.
Audiences around the world frequently describe his style as authentic, relevant, compelling, and thought-provoking.
In his earlier career, he worked in senior leadership positions with Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and AT Kearney. In 2000 he went through a 5-year episode of depression that his psychiatrist described as the worst he had ever treated.
He emerged from this crisis with a different view about how we can increase our resilience, mood, and performance. He is described by the Australian Financial Review as a resilience expert.
He is the author of 5 books, including the internationally acclaimed BACK FROM THE BRINK, which has a testimonial from the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and which has become a best seller in China.
Speaking topics
Resilience for uncertain times
Small steps, remarkable results
In volatile times, it can be easy to forget self-care. Adopting tiny habits can help you enjoy the direct link between self-care, resilience, and growth. These small steps are the secret to being prepared for moments that matter at home and at work. You will learn:
- How small habits lead to remarkable results
- How to identify your mood vampires through Graeme’s science-based 15-point Self-care Snapshot
- How to embed ONE new small habit to boost your mood
Growing psychologically safe and resilient teams
Building care AND high performance
Are we connected? Do we have a shared future? Are we safe? These 3 qualities are central to better team performance in an uncertain world. Our #1 priority is to help build more caring and resilient teams, who enjoy growing together. We show how everyone can contribute to this. You will gain simple, actionable steps, including:
- 4 daily connection questions every leader should be asking their team
- How to inspire team psychological safety (#1 of predictor of team innovation) during lockdown
- How to embed a growth mindset and reduce risk
Building an R U OK?365 culture
Mental health for all – by involving all
The CSIRO has identified rising work stress as a mega risk to productivity for the next 20 years.
Major disruptions like Covid-19 have amplified this. Setbacks can happen any day, so having a sustainable and caring culture is critical.
You will learn how conversations are the key to:
- Identifying someone who is struggling
- Asking R U OK? with empathy
- Guiding them to the help they need
Live your one thing
Doing more by doing less
In times of rapid change, it is easy to think that multitasking is the answer. The key to thriving is focusing on a few things that really matter, and taking charge of what we can control. It is more important to manage our mood than our time.
You’ll learn the surprisingly simple truth about how to find your focus and get the right things done, including how to:
- Write the first draft of your personal purpose
- Identify your #1 wellbeing strategy (it’s different for each person)
- Know your #1 work project for today
Testimonials
I have worked with Graeme in a number of organisations and find myself continually referring his name on to the CEOs and Executives I work alongside with. Graeme is authentic, empathetic in nature and has supported the coming together of executive teams that face challenging times through transformation and changing environments.
His style allows senior executives to think differently about emotional resilience and wellbeing strategies that can increase performance and culture in an organisation. I would use Graeme’s support any day!
Natalie Britt, Human Resources Director, International Convention Centre, Sydney
I’ve used Graeme three times to help my leaders focus on what they can control to thrive through change. He is real, and passionate about everyone being their best. We walk away with tools, activities, and stories that we can use for ourselves, our teams, and in our personal lives.
Graeme cares, he takes time to understand my needs, builds relevant content, and he follows up. Definitely someone to work if you value your team’s mental resilience & wellbeing.
GM, NAB
I cannot recommend Graeme Cowan highly enough. He is an engaging, humble and thought-provoking speaker. All participants felt energized and focused on putting his ideas into action.
People, Safety, And Culture Director, Serco
20 keynotes and workshops for 1500 leaders in Business, Retail, and Wealth divisions around Australia 97.8% of participants agreed with “I have a better understanding of my key strengths, my energisers and my purpose, and how I will use that information to help me lead my team more effectively.
Big 4 Bank
Many of our leaders said that your presentation was the best they had seen at a Partner's Meeting - and we have had some great speakers - so that says it all. You set the mood wonderfully for the weekend and your message has helped move our culture in an enhanced direction. I would recommend you to any CEO who is interested in the sustainable success and the renewal of their leadership team.
CEO, Russell Mcveagh
Graeme has a compelling story that should be heard! He was a keynote speaker at a recent series of team forums we held around the country with great feedback from the team. A few quotable quotes... "Very inspiring, and a good reminder of what makes work and life great." "Good tips on helping people you know with mental health issues." "Powerful story, with great reflection points."
Tim Steele, GM, MLC
Graeme's 4.55 out of 5 speaker's rating by participants was truly deserved.
Director, Institute Of Management Consultants
We absolutely loved you, and there were so many positive comments about you, and also your content. Thanks so much.
Worksafe Queensland
Your presentation on the “7 Rituals of the Resilient Leader” was very interactive, thought provoking, and well received. In particular, the practical tips on how to help those around us in the Red Zone, and ways to maintaining your own Green Zone, were of great value. I am delighted that you will be able to assist us in our remaining 4 conferences scheduled this financial year.
Department Of Immigration And Border Protection
Graeme is very engaging. People listen to every word he says. You could hear a pin drop
CEO, Investment and Financial Services Association
Extraordinarily practical advice on how to turn problems into opportunities.
Managing Director, Sentinel Wealth
You could have heard a pin drop as Graeme Cowan opened the morning session with a harrowing account of his battle with the black dog… he received a thunderous applause.
Wyeth Conference Newsletter
I am both inspired and empowered by your concept of Bouncing Back and Thriving. Simply wonderful! Everyone needs to hear your message.
Discovering Uniqueness
