Shola Kaye

Shola Kaye helps global organisations prepare for the future of work using the power of empathy, effective communication and inclusion nudges. Shola’s work is frequently described as practical, easily implementable and inspiring.

In this tech-heavy world, Shola’s work helps humans deepen their levels of humanity and connection. She works with global organisations using the power of empathy, effective communication and bold action. She calls this combination EMOTIONAL AUDACITY™ and the tools she shares facilitate the deepening of resilience, emotional intelligence and readiness for change.

Shola’s keynotes are frequently described as engagingly practical, easily implementable and inspiring. She shares moving stories, accessible case studies and actionable insights gained from working with international corporations across a wide range of industries, and sessions may be modified for leaders or for broader audiences.

Shola’s clients include American Express, Deloitte, Google, IBM, Nestle, Meta, Target, The United Nations, Kaiser Permanente, GSK, Henkel, Reckitt, HSBC, LVMH, Capital One and Oracle. She is the author of two books and has written for a variety of industry publications.

Shola’s experiences working for global corporations have given her an understanding of some of the many challenges faced by companies today as they seek to create environments of empathy and high performance, supporting their ever-more demanding, often remote, teams in a world of constant disruption.

Early in Shola’s career, after studying at Cambridge University, she worked in consulting and account management in New York and London with clients such as Goldman Sachs and British Airways. She has also conducted neuroscience research at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

What differentiates Shola as a speaker is that she has also spent time performing across the globe and captivating audiences as a professional entertainer. She therefore understands what it takes to keep her keynote attendees engaged and participating throughout the session, and she provides multiple opportunities for valuable self-reflection and outstanding levels of interaction. 

Her cornerstone keynote, ‘Emotional Audacity™’explores practical ways to build trust, connection, and influence through emotionally intelligent communication and courageous leadership.

Shola’s most booked keynote is ‘Elevating Empathy’. In today’s challenging workplaces, it’s crucial to meet people where they are, demonstrating curiosity and understanding. An empathic approach is also valuable when it comes to helping reduce resistance to change, such as restructuring, entering new markets or embarking upon new initiatives.

Shola also works with global teams that need to reach across differences, creating an atmosphere of collaboration, belonging and high performance. Her session ‘Create a People-First, Speak Up Culture’ has been booked by a variety of international organisations, whether for leadership teams or wider groups.

For organisations looking to improve the quality and quantity of feedback given, Shola’s keynote ‘Create a Positive Feedback Culture with Daring, Caring Communication’ is an ongoing, year-round favourite.

Finally, her keynote ‘The Art of the Ask’, on the power of networking and aspirational asking, is very popular for women’s events and among organisations seeking to empower their staff to be more unstoppable, whether in sales or in making bold internal career moves.

As an introvert herself, she loves to create experiences in which everyone feels deeply involved and empowered to participate fully. Her virtual keynotes often elicit hundreds of comments in the chat, with off-the-chart participation from attendees.

She’s also a popular speaker for International Women’s Day and has worked with many organisations delivering communication programs that help women and other groups speak up and cut through the noise, enabling them to go further, faster, in their careers.

KEYNOTES

Emotional Audacity™: Developing the Human Edge in an Age of Tech-Driven Transformation. How do we inspire people to say what others won’t and do what others fear — while staying open-hearted, respectful and deeply human?

Shola Kaye introduces Emotional Audacity™ — the essential leadership mindset for today’s fast-paced, high-stakes world. As organisations move more swiftly and rely increasingly on data and systems, it’s the human elements — empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, courageous communication, and motivation to act — that determine the success or failure of transformation efforts.

With insight, warmth, and a deeply practical approach, Shola shares frameworks for honest self-reflection and developing both resilience and dynamism through emotionally intelligent behaviour. Drawing on her corporate background, current research, and her work with global brands, Shola offers audiences the tools to listen without defensiveness and to act with an expansive sense of purpose.

Create a People-First, Speak-Up Culture: How to Feel Seen, Safe and Heard. What are the core behaviours and communication strategies that create a psychologically safe, high-performing workplace?

In a culture where people feel seen, safe and heard, innovation thrives, belonging deepens, and collaboration strengthens. Through powerful storytelling, live exercises, and practical tools, Shola unpacks the role of compassion, deep inquiry, and psychological safety to create environments of cooperation and creativity. Participants learn to foster a workplace free of groupthink where individuals can make their best contributions and the business can thrive. 

Practical Empathy: Sustainable, Common-sense Strategies for Creating a Workplace of Care and Understanding – How can organisations embed empathy at every level — from the boardroom to the break room? 

 As the need for respectful, supportive workplaces grows, empathy is no longer a ‘nice to have’ — it’s a critical leadership and communication skill that directly impacts retention, innovation, and employee wellbeing.

Through storytelling, accessible research, and hands-on reflection, Shola introduces a practical approach to empathy that avoids burnout, fosters connection, and works across virtual, hybrid and in-person teams. With a focus on curiosity, courage and being a catalyst, this session equips every audience member with the awareness and confidence to make empathy a daily practice.

Creating a Positive Feedback Culture: Elevate Performance with Daring, Caring Communication. How will you build a thriving feedback culture where communication uplifts and energises, rather than undermines and demotivates?

When feedback is delivered with empathy, clarity and consistency, it drives performance, strengthens relationships and creates motivated, resilient teams. But when it’s avoided or mishandled, the damage to morale and collaboration can be lasting.

Through candid examples and interactive exercises, Shola explores the difference between feedback that inspires and feedback that alienates. She equips individuals at every level — not just managers — with the tools and confidence to offer feedback that fuels learning and growth.  

The Art of the Ask: Energise your Career with Audacious, Empowering Questions. What if the next step in your career was just one question away?

In this impactful and engaging keynote, Shola Kaye explores the transformative power of asking. Whether you’re seeking new opportunities, support, or personal development, the ability to make well-timed, strategic requests can change the course of your career — and the culture of your workplace.

With powerful real-life stories, a clear communication framework, and practical tools, Shola helps individuals overcome the psychological barriers that hold them back from asking. Participants will learn how to shift their mindset from hesitation to empowerment, using questions to build connection, create visibility, and inspire action in themselves and others.