A keynote that changes how your leaders think — not just how they feel.
Most keynotes are forgotten within 48 hours. The energy is high, the content is inspiring, and then Monday morning arrives and nothing changes. We've built our keynotes specifically to avoid that outcome.
Every Brain Squared keynote is grounded in a practical framework — the 5 Leadership Rails, the neuroscience of leadership, or the human fundamentals of connection and trust. Audiences don't just feel motivated; they leave with a model they can use, a vocabulary they can share, and specific actions they can take immediately.
Laurie Cozart is an ICF Master Certified Coach with 25+ years of leadership experience — and she brings that depth to every stage. Her talks are honest, research-backed, and delivered with the kind of authenticity that comes from having actually done the work she's describing.
Signature talks
The 5 Leadership Rails: A Framework for High-Performance Teams
The signature Brain Squared keynote. Laurie walks audiences through the 5 Leadership Rails framework — explaining why talented teams underperform, what the five structural foundations of high performance look like, and how to diagnose and fix the gaps. Audiences leave with a clear model they can apply immediately.
- A shared vocabulary for diagnosing leadership problems
- Immediate clarity on which rails are most critical for their organization
- Actionable steps they can take before they leave the room
- A framework that creates lasting organizational conversation
The Neuroscience of Leadership: How Your Brain Shapes Your Team
A deep dive into the neuroscience behind leadership effectiveness. Laurie explains how the brain processes threat and reward in organizational settings, why certain leadership behaviors trigger defensiveness and disengagement, and what neuroscience tells us about building the psychological safety that drives innovation and performance.
- Understanding of how the brain responds to leadership behaviors
- Practical tools for reducing threat responses in their teams
- A new lens for understanding why their current approaches work or don't
- Strategies for building psychological safety at scale
Everyone Just Wants to Be Seen, Heard, and Understood
The most human of the Brain Squared keynotes. This talk explores the fundamental human need for connection and recognition — and how leaders can build workplaces where every person feels genuinely valued. Particularly powerful for organizations going through change, facing engagement challenges, or trying to build a more inclusive culture.
- A deeper understanding of what employees actually need from leadership
- Practical listening and recognition practices leaders can implement immediately
- A shared language for talking about psychological safety and belonging
- Renewed commitment to the human side of leadership
From Manager to Leader: Making the Most Important Transition in Your Career
The transition from individual contributor to leader is one of the most challenging — and most under-supported — transitions in any career. This keynote addresses the mindset shifts, skill development, and identity work that new leaders need to make the transition successfully.
- A clear understanding of what changes when you become a leader
- The most common mistakes new leaders make and how to avoid them
- A development roadmap for the first 90 days in a new leadership role
- The confidence to lead with authenticity rather than imitation
We adapt to your event
Conference Keynote
60–90 minute signature talks for leadership conferences, industry events, and executive summits. Includes pre-event consultation to customize content for your audience.
Workshop Keynote
Half-day or full-day interactive sessions that combine keynote content with hands-on application. Ideal for leadership retreats and team development days.
Virtual Keynote
Fully adapted virtual presentations designed for remote and hybrid audiences. We've invested in the production quality and facilitation techniques that make virtual keynotes genuinely engaging.
Panel Facilitation
Expert facilitation for leadership panels, executive roundtables, and conference breakout sessions. Laurie brings deep subject matter expertise and skilled facilitation to every panel.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should we book?
For major conferences and events, we recommend booking 3–6 months in advance. For smaller events and internal sessions, 4–6 weeks is typically sufficient. We do accommodate shorter lead times when our schedule allows.
Do you customize the content for our audience?
Yes, always. Every keynote begins with a pre-event consultation to understand your audience, your goals, and the specific challenges your organization is facing. We don't give the same talk twice — we give the right talk for your people.
What does Laurie's speaking fee include?
Our speaking fee includes the pre-event consultation, full customization of content, the keynote itself, and a post-event debrief. Travel and accommodation are billed separately. We're transparent about all costs upfront.
Can a keynote be the starting point for a longer engagement?
Absolutely — and it often is. Many of our organizational clients begin with a keynote that introduces the 5 Rails framework to their leadership team, then move into a full leadership development program. The keynote creates the shared language and motivation that makes the deeper work more effective.
Do you have video of previous keynotes?
Yes. We're happy to share video samples and references from previous speaking engagements during our discovery conversation.
Book Laurie for your next event.
Tell us about your event, your audience, and your goals. We'll let you know if we're available and how we can make it exceptional.