Signature Talks

Lead with the Lights On:
Why the Era of Culture Theater Is Over—and What Modern Leaders Must Build to Survive What’s Next

Corporate culture used to run on belief: grand mission statements, "we're a family" rhetoric, and the feel-good language of purpose. But post-pandemic, post-layoffs, and post-AI, employees are no longer buying it. They see it for what it is: performance designed to extract more loyalty and labor without offering more pay, stability, or truth.

Your highest performers are especially done with the show. They're the ones quietly questioning whether their success was worth it, whether their identity is too tied to work, whether there's something more meaningful than climbing a ladder that keeps moving.

The old script doesn't work anymore. And leaders who keep performing it risk losing the very people they can't afford to lose.

In this decisive keynote, Carmen makes the business case for Lights-On Leadership: authentic management that acknowledges the emotional reality of work in an AI-disrupted world. This isn't about being touchy-feely—it's about building the kind of clarity and trust that actually retains top talent.

Leaders will learn:

• Why your best employees are having an identity crisis (and how to help them through it)

• How to replace culture theater with genuine organizational integrity

• The business cost of ignoring the human side of AI disruption

• How to create psychological safety for high achievers questioning their path

The Slingshot Effect:
Why Pulling Back Is the Boldest Way to Launch Forward

You did everything right. The prestigious education, the impressive job titles, the salary that should have made you feel secure. From the outside, you're winning. So why does success feel so hollow?

If you're a high achiever who's questioning whether the ladder you've been climbing is leaning against the right wall, this keynote is for you. Carmen introduces The Slingshot Effect: the counterintuitive strategy of pulling back to launch forward—not just into a new job, but into a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.

This isn't about quitting your job to follow your passion. It's about strategic retreat: the art of stepping away from what's impressive to create space for what's actually aligned.

You'll learn:

• How to recognize when success has become a prison

• The difference between strategic retreat and giving up

• Why your identity crisis might be your breakthrough in disguise

• How to navigate the discomfort of transformation without losing momentum

• The practical steps for launching into something more meaningful

Meet your speaker

Carmen Van Kerckhove is an author and keynote speaker who helps leaders and high-achievers navigate the emotional side of workplace transformation. She is the voice for professionals who've succeeded on paper but feel empty inside.

Her upcoming book, The Slingshot Effect (Crown Currency), introduces a counterintuitive approach to career reinvention that's resonating with audiences worldwide.

Known for walking away from prestigious roles herself—including Goldman Sachs and a million-follower platform—Carmen brings the credibility of someone who's lived the transformation she teaches.

If you're looking for a keynote speaker who understands both the business strategy and human psychology of workplace transformation, Carmen brings the credibility, depth, and emotional intelligence today's audiences need to navigate change without losing themselves in the process.

Get In Touch

Carmen is based in New York City and is available for:

• Keynotes

• Leadership offsites

• Company retreats

• Executive summits

• Internal events

Past speaking engagements include:
Google · Humana · Korn Ferry
Harvard · Princeton · Columbia

Email us to inquire about speaking availability,