Jonathan Donner is an experienced keynote speaker renowned for his compelling and insightful presentations on leadership development.
His keynote speeches are designed to inspire, engage, and challenge audiences, offering fresh perspectives and practical strategies for effective leadership in today’s complex business environment.
All of his keynotes can be delivered in workshop format.
Scroll down or click on the links below to read in more detail.
Jonathan Donner explores the transformative trends shaping the future of leadership in this keynote. He emphasizes the need for leaders to evolve beyond traditional methodologies, integrating adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape. Jonathan highlights the crucial role of technology, including artificial intelligence and advanced analytics in revolutionizing leadership development. He also stresses the importance of fostering cultural competence and ethical decision-making. Exploring the combination of technological advancements with human insight, Jonathan illustrates how organizations can cultivate leaders who are equipped to meet the dynamic demands of the 21st century.
In his keynote, Jonathan Donner draws insights from his book, Guiding the Tide: Developing Leaders for the 21st Century World. He explores the essential qualities and strategies required to cultivate effective leaders in today’s complex and rapidly changing environment. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of adaptability, strategic foresight, and emotional intelligence in leadership. He illustrates how contemporary leaders must navigate global challenges, leverage technological advancements, and foster inclusive cultures. By providing actionable frameworks and real-world examples, Jonathan equips organizations with the tools to develop leaders who can successfully guide their teams through the uncertainties of the 21st century, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation.
Gain a deep understanding of the pivotal role of purpose in shaping organizational development and strategy. In this keynote, Jonathan underscores the necessity for organizations to anchor their strategic initiatives in a clear and compelling purpose, which serves as a guiding star for decision-making and growth. Jonathan explains how purpose-driven leadership can enhance employee engagement, drive innovation, and foster a resilient organizational culture. By aligning development programs with a strong sense of purpose, organizations can ensure that their strategies are not only effective but also meaningful and sustainable, leading to long-term success and fulfillment for both the organization and its stakeholders.
In this keynote, Jonathan highlights the shift from traditional job roles to a focus on specific skills and capabilities, emphasizing the need for leaders to foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability. Jonathan discusses how leaders can effectively identify, develop, and leverage the diverse skills within their teams to drive innovation and organizational success. By promoting a skills-based approach, leaders can enhance agility, optimize talent utilization, and ensure their organizations remain competitive in a rapidly changing business environment. This keynote provides actionable insights into how leaders can navigate and thrive in this new workforce paradigm.
Testimonials
Jonathan’s pioneering development work, successfully instilling purpose in Unilever’s leadership, was a game-changing resource for our strategy.
Paul Polman, Business Leader, Campaigner and Author of “Net Positive”Over the past thirty years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the very best “leader developers” around the world. Jonathan stands at the very pinnacle. His steadfast courage to continuously push the boundaries mark him as a rare treasure in our field.
Scott A. Snook, Executive Fellow, Harvard Business SchoolI have had the pleasure of working with Jonathan, both at Unilever and at MIT Sloan, over the past 20 years. I’m proud to consider him both a friend and a colleague. Jonathan is thoughtful in his work, which says something these days, as so many development professionals chase after the shiniest new thing. He is courageous, in that he is anxious to move in new directions. He is both dedicated to his clients and persistent in his pursuit of excellent outcomes. Moreover, he somehow accomplishes all of this while maintaining a remarkably high level of humility. In short, I consider Jonathan to be among the most skilled development pros on the planet.
Doug Ready, Senior Lecturer, MIT Sloan School of ManagementJonathan is an empathic, caring, authentic leader who has a wealth of experiences from talent development, skills and capability leading edge programs to leadership academy initiatives. His approach and impact on leadership development is one that I remember fondly.
Patricia Corsi, Chief Growth Officer, Kimberly-Clark CorporationJonathan Donner is a friend, colleague, trusted advisor and collaborator. In our work together over two decades, he was instrumental in creating our multi-company program exploring the next frontiers in the future of Work and HR, and crafting a vision of future leadership. Jon has a unique and astute understanding about how to build great strategic leaders in organizations. His own leadership, through his work and organizations like Unilever, Amazon and the NHS, has advanced the careers and capability of hundreds of the world’s best global leaders.
John Boudreau, Global Thought Leader, Senior Research Scientist and Professor Emeritus at University of Southern California – Marshall School of BusinessI’ve known Jonathan for almost 15 years. I’ve seen him in action and witnessed the magic he can create. A master of his trade, a trailblazer, and someone whose point of view is worth listening to, and his perspective taken into account.
Placid Jover, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries LtdMy journey with Jonathan started during our time together at Unilever and has continued as I have navigated new career chapters in different industries. Working with Jonathan always challenges one and their organisation to be curious, transformative and constantly In pursuit of excellence with regards to Leadership development and Learning delivery.
Tswelo Kodisang, Group Chief People Officer, FirstRandI have had the privilege of working with some of the great leadership development professionals in the world over the past three decades. Jonathan stands out in a league of his own and is one of the very, very best in the business. His sharp sense-making of an organization’s learning needs, and his ability to curate just that right development initiative is a rare skill. Add to that, great communication skills, a terrific sense of humor, a breadth of knowledge spanning across science, technology and the humanities, all served up with self-effacing humility.
Sudhanshu Palsule, Leadership Philosopher, C-Suite advisor, Executive Coach, and Fellow at the University of CambridgeI’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from Jonathan over the last 10 years; his talent and leadership strategies are second to none. He understands complex organizational systems, leadership structures, and the human condition – connecting the dots to create the highest-impact programs I’ve witnessed to date. He is a role model, thought leader and mentor – sharing his expertise and teaching others how to push boundaries. I count myself lucky to have him as a role model and friend.
Assil Omar, Chief Equity Officer and Vice President, Talent Acquisition and Planning, AbbVie Jonathan’s pioneering development work, successfully instilling purpose in Unilever’s leadership, was a game-changing resource for our strategy.
Over the past thirty years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the very best “leader developers” around the world. Jonathan stands at the very pinnacle. His steadfast courage to continuously push the boundaries mark him as a rare treasure in our field.
I have had the pleasure of working with Jonathan, both at Unilever and at MIT Sloan, over the past 20 years. I’m proud to consider him both a friend and a colleague. Jonathan is thoughtful in his work, which says something these days, as so many development professionals chase after the shiniest new thing. He is courageous, in that he is anxious to move in new directions. He is both dedicated to his clients and persistent in his pursuit of excellent outcomes. Moreover, he somehow accomplishes all of this while maintaining a remarkably high level of humility. In short, I consider Jonathan to be among the most skilled development pros on the planet.
Jonathan is an empathic, caring, authentic leader who has a wealth of experiences from talent development, skills and capability leading edge programs to leadership academy initiatives. His approach and impact on leadership development is one that I remember fondly.
Jonathan Donner is a friend, colleague, trusted advisor and collaborator. In our work together over two decades, he was instrumental in creating our multi-company program exploring the next frontiers in the future of Work and HR, and crafting a vision of future leadership. Jon has a unique and astute understanding about how to build great strategic leaders in organizations. His own leadership, through his work and organizations like Unilever, Amazon and the NHS, has advanced the careers and capability of hundreds of the world’s best global leaders.
I’ve known Jonathan for almost 15 years. I’ve seen him in action and witnessed the magic he can create. A master of his trade, a trailblazer, and someone whose point of view is worth listening to, and his perspective taken into account.
My journey with Jonathan started during our time together at Unilever and has continued as I have navigated new career chapters in different industries. Working with Jonathan always challenges one and their organisation to be curious, transformative and constantly In pursuit of excellence with regards to Leadership development and Learning delivery.
I have had the privilege of working with some of the great leadership development professionals in the world over the past three decades. Jonathan stands out in a league of his own and is one of the very, very best in the business. His sharp sense-making of an organization’s learning needs, and his ability to curate just that right development initiative is a rare skill. Add to that, great communication skills, a terrific sense of humor, a breadth of knowledge spanning across science, technology and the humanities, all served up with self-effacing humility.
I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from Jonathan over the last 10 years; his talent and leadership strategies are second to none. He understands complex organizational systems, leadership structures, and the human condition – connecting the dots to create the highest-impact programs I’ve witnessed to date. He is a role model, thought leader and mentor – sharing his expertise and teaching others how to push boundaries. I count myself lucky to have him as a role model and friend.