Steve Donahue

Steve Donahue was a young man who crossed the Sahara Desert overland. Decades later he embarked on a 72,000-mile global odyssey to find a new story and a reason to tell it. These remarkable journeys are the bedrock of a speaking career that has taken him to more than 1,000 organizations across four continents, including many of the Fortune 50, making him one of the most sought-after voices on change, resilience, and leadership in the corporate speaking circuit. He speaks on navigating change, adaptive leadership, and building organizations that thrive on uncertainty.

Shifting Sands
Donahue’s international bestseller Shifting Sands: A Guidebook for Crossing the Deserts of Change has sold more than 125,000 copies and been translated into multiple languages. Drawing on his experience surviving one of the earth’s most unpredictable environments, he developed the concept of adaptive DNA — the nomadic traits that enabled human beings to thrive for 96 percent of their history and the same traits that enable organizations to move faster, stay flexible, and turn uncertainty into momentum.

ThemeWeaver and the Conference Storyteller
Donahue also works as a conference storyteller — the ThemeWeaver — attending entire multi-day events, interacting with delegates, and weaving their experiences into real-time keynotes that deepen and connect the messages of other presenters. It is a distinctive offering that no other speaker in the market provides.

Steve Donahue delivers keynotes on change leadership, organizational resilience, and building the adaptive mindset that turns disruption into growth.

Build an Epic Organization®

An epic organization enthrals employees and captivates customers in a way which superlatives struggle to quantify. Like the heroes of epic poems, leaders must thrive in constant change and be completely engaged in their journey. They must also be on a quest that creates its own compelling story. Steve shows how to acquire a legendary narrative that staff, stakeholder and customers want to play a role in and be the heroes of. Using the latest brain science and cutting edge techniques from the emerging field of Narrative Intelligence he demonstrates how the oldest stories we know are the best templates we have to change, engage and inspire.

Make an Epic Journey on Shifting Sands

Steve’s classic presentation based on his journey across the Sahara Desert features a powerful metaphor for leading and succeeding in a change environment. Steve will keep you moving together in the right direction whether your change is continuous or episodic, proactive or reactive. His customizable “Rules of Desert Travel” focus on aligning personal and corporate direction, maintaining energy and engagement, teamwork and getting out of your comfort zone.

Tell an Epic Story

Stories carry values, clarify your mission and build brands. But how to tell your story and what kind of stories to share are crucial when competing for attention in a digital world. In this interactive presentation, master storyteller Steve Donahue will enthral your audience with his narratives while instructing your group to perfect and leverage their own. Using the latest brain research he will show the science behind the art of storytelling that helps you captivate, illuminate and motivate.

EpicThemeWeaver®

Steve Donahue is your keynote speaker, emcee and conference storyteller all-in-one. For the entire conference Steve interacts with delegates on breaks, attends all sessions and functions, then appears on stage as often as possible to weave his thoughts, experiences and insights. He literally tells the story of your conference in real time to deepen the messages and moments from presenters and attendees alike. Make your next multi-day event more cohesive, inclusive and magical with Steve’s uniquely inspiring approach.