| What is your “Speaker Superpower”? | |
| With 21+ years of experience speaking to 2,500+ organizations across 55 countries, my unique ability is to connect through conversational brilliance. Rather than “speechifying,” I create an authentic dialogue with the audience—engaging hearts and minds in a way that feels personal, relatable, and impactful. My superpower lies in turning every keynote into a meaningful conversation, delivering insights that resonate and linger long after the applause. | |
| How does your message empower others? | |
| My message empowers transformation and growth by breaking big changes into practical, memorable microsteps. These small, repeatable habits are designed to create quick wins, building momentum toward lasting muscle memory and real progress. By focusing on simplicity and repeatability, I help individuals take immediate action, fostering confidence and sustainable growth with every step. | |
| What inspired you to start speaking or coaching? | |
| While working at Disney Institute as a Senior Facilitator, I was sent to Disneyland Paris to design and deliver a leadership program for 1,000 leaders of Barclays Bank London. The day came for me to present, and the moment I stepped on stage, I knew it was something special. The Lion King had just been released, and I opened with the powerful line, “Remember who you are. You are more than what you have become.” Little did I know, those words would be prophetic for me. That evening in my hotel room, I reflected deeply and asked myself three life-defining questions: 1. What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail? 2. What would I do if no one paid me to do it? 3. Howard Thurman’s wisdom came to mind: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, because the world needs people who come alive.” In that moment, I declared my purpose: to speak, write, coach, train, and consult. When I returned home from Paris, I began crafting my exit strategy from Corporate America. That was over 23 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. | |
| What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in your career as a speaker? | |
| The best advice I ever received as a motivational speaker was this: “Be an original voice, not an annoying echo.” There’s only one Les Brown, George Fraser, Dr. Willie Jolley, and Keith Harrell—and trying to imitate them would have only limited my potential. That simple piece of wisdom set me free. It was in that moment I embraced my own voice, leaned into my authenticity, and discovered my unique lane of brilliance. | |
| What are some of your most memorable moments or achievements in this field? | |
| Some of My Most Memorable Moments as a Speaker since leaving Disney in 2003 • 2003: Signing 1,000 copies of my first book for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. • 2014: Keynote Speaker for the Million-Dollar Round Table in Toronto, addressing 5,000 people from 92 countries. • 2015: Inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame. • 2017: Speaking at Success Magazine Live and introducing Mel Robbins. • 2017: Keynote Speaker for 5,000 Chick-Fil-A operators. • 2018: A 3-minute clip of my message was posted by GoalCast on Meta (no boosting) and achieved 91M+ views. • 2019: Speaking at West Angeles COGIC and being greeted by Magic Johnson. • 2022: Speaking at Levi’s Stadium (home of the 49ers) for 1,000 leaders of Stanford Healthcare. • 2023: Celebrating 10 years and 14 courses translated into 8 languages on the LinkedIn Learning platform. • 2024: Releasing my 11th book, Resilience@Work. After first releasing Release Your Brilliance in 2004 | |
| How do you stay motivated and inspired to continually grow your influence? | |
| My motivation comes from the stories of transformation shared by those I’ve mentored, coached, and spoken to. Hearing how individuals have applied my teachings to generate six figures—or even become millionaires—reminds me of the ripple effect of my work. Their success inspires me to keep pushing forward. But the moments that truly drive me come from the deeper, more personal connections. At a keynote for 3,000+ people in Nashville, a man approached me afterward, in tears, and shared that he had a rare disease he hadn’t told his family about. My words inspired him to open up to his loved ones—a moment so raw and emotional, we both cried together. At the same event, a woman confided that she had been planning to take her own life, but after hearing my keynote, she decided she wanted to live. These moments remind me why I do what I do. It’s not just about speaking—it’s about saving lives, inspiring hope, and helping others find their brilliance. That’s what fuels my passion and keeps me committed to growing my influence every day. | |
| How does your brand reflect your core values? | |
| My Core Values: ICE – Integrity, Creativity, and Excellence At the heart of everything I do are these three core values: Integrity, Creativity, and Excellence. They guide my decisions, shape my work, and define my purpose. But the thread that runs through all of these values is my unwavering faith in God. Without Him, I am nothing. Without Him, I would fail. Without Him, I would be like a ship without a sail. It is His presence that anchors me, His wisdom that inspires my creativity, and His strength that drives me toward excellence. This foundation allows me to live out my values with authenticity and purpose, knowing that everything I do is ultimately for His glory. | |
| What do you want audiences to remember after experiencing your presentation or session? | |
| After hearing my presentation, I want the audience to leave inspired to be better leaders—loving others, serving selflessly, and making a difference by helping the least, the last, and the lost. I want them to embody positivity, find someone to mentor, and unlock the brilliance in themselves and their others. Lastly, I want them to find ways to, as Disney says, ‘plus up’ the customer experience, creating a ripple effect of excellence and impact wherever they go. | |
| What has been your biggest learning experience as a speaker or consultant? | |
| My greatest learning as a speaker is this: Clients don’t hire us for the speech itself—they hire us because they want to know if we truly understand their challenges and can use our insights to build a bridge to a better future. In essence, we’re not paid to speak; we’re paid to think, connect, and deliver solutions that inspire transformation. | |
| What advice would you give to aspiring speakers, coaches, or consultants who want to make an impact? | |
| My Advice to Aspiring Speakers, Coaches, and Consultants Get out of the green room and connect with people. Spend time with them, listen, and show genuine care—it’s not about you, it’s about them. Always leave them with something positive to talk about. If you want to thrive in this business, focus on building authentic relationships that lead to referrals. Don’t waste time chasing speaker bureaus. Instead, get so good on stage and make such a powerful impact that clients demand bureaus book you. | |
| Finally, how can people get in touch with you? | |
| https://www.simontbailey.com |