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Steve Gutzler - <p data-start="301" data-end="491">Steve Gutzler inspires leaders to strengthen emotional intelligence, build stronger teams, and lead with confidence, empathy, and authenticity.</p>

Steve Gutzler

Steve Gutzler inspires leaders to strengthen emotional intelligence, build stronger teams, and lead with confidence, empathy, and authenticity.

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5 of 5

"Steve Gutzler absolutely 'brings it' each and every time he has worked with our team! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Steve since 2002 and he was an irrefutable 'WOW' during our annual General Managers Conferences and Leadership Team Advances. He has a unique ability to bring energy, authenticity, and practical takeaways with his presentations."

Douglas Dreher

PRESIDENT & CEO, THE HOTEL GROUP

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Why book Steve Gutzler for your next event

  • Discover how emotional intelligence strengthens leadership, improves communication, and drives high-performing teams in today’s workplace.
  • Gain practical tools to lead with self-awareness, empathy, and resilience in environments where performance and culture must grow together.
  • Experience a high-energy keynote that inspires leaders and teams to unlock potential and create lasting professional success.

Non-binding request for Steve Gutzler

Human-Centered Leadership & Emotional Intelligence Expert

Steve Gutzler is an expert in Human-Centered Leadership and Emotional Intelligence and President of Leadership Quest. For more than 25 years, he has helped leaders and organizations strengthen the people skills that drive performance, engagement, and success. Through dynamic keynote presentations and leadership programs, Steve shares practical tools that help leaders develop self-awareness, empathy, motivation, and strong communication skills. His approach connects leadership theory with real-world application, giving audiences strategies they can use immediately. Known for his authentic and high-energy delivery, Steve creates engaging experiences that inspire leaders and teams to grow, collaborate, and lead with confidence.

 

Steve Gutzler Keynote Speaker

Steve Gutzler is a respected voice in Human-Centered Leadership and Emotional Intelligence. As President of Leadership Quest, he works with leaders and organizations that want to strengthen communication, engagement, and performance.

With more than 25 years of experience as a coach, trainer, and keynote speaker, Steve helps professionals understand the leadership skills that create stronger teams and better workplace cultures. His presentations focus on practical leadership behaviors that leaders can apply immediately.

Steve believes effective leadership begins with understanding people. When leaders develop emotional intelligence, they build trust, improve collaboration, and create environments where individuals and teams perform at their best.

 

Emotional Intelligence for Leaders

Steve’s keynote presentations focus on the emotional intelligence competencies that shape modern leadership, including self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, motivation, and social skills.

By strengthening these capabilities, leaders learn how to communicate more effectively, navigate pressure, and support high-performing teams. Steve translates research and leadership insight into practical strategies that help individuals grow as leaders.

His engaging style ensures audiences leave with clear ideas they can use in their daily work.

 

Experience with Global Organizations

Steve has worked with professionals and leadership teams from many recognized organizations across industries. His client experience includes companies and institutions such as Spotify, Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Corporation, Facebook, and the Seattle Seahawks.

He has also delivered programs for the U.S. Department of Commerce, the FBI National Academy, Smart Choice Agents, and The Ritz Carlton.

These organizations invite Steve because he connects leadership principles with real-world challenges faced by modern teams.

 

Book Steve Gutzler for Your Event

When organizations book Steve Gutzler, they bring in a speaker who combines leadership expertise with practical tools and engaging storytelling.

His keynote presentations inspire leaders to strengthen emotional intelligence, build trust, and lead with authenticity. Audiences leave motivated, energized, and equipped to create stronger teams and lasting success.

Customer Reviews

5 of 5

"Steve Gutzler absolutely 'brings it' each and every time he has worked with our team! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Steve since 2002 and he was an irrefutable 'WOW' during our annual General Managers Conferences and Leadership Team Advances. He has a unique ability to bring energy, authenticity, and practical takeaways with his presentations."

5 of 5

"Steve Gutzler has made the topic of Emotional Intelligence relevant and impactful over the course of several events with my Senior Leadership Team and Managers of our Global Outsourcing business. These highly–interactive sessions have received consistent praise from my organization, and have had an impact on us both personally and professionally."

5 of 5

"We really enjoyed how smoothly the planning, procurement, and logistics worked out. Our summit attendees provided overwhelming positive feedback that Steve’s keynote was an absolute home run! It was rated the top session in survey data we collected. It really seemed like the attendees took away several actions they will put into practice.”

5 of 5

Steve Gutzler was incredibly well-received yesterday– the feedback throughout the day by attendees and CEOs after his virtual keynote was overwhelmingly positive and effusive. His message was a perfect way to kick-off the meeting and set an incredible tone for the day. It was timely, relevant, and inspiring. He hit it out of the park!

5 of 5

Impossible, Possible, Done! Steve Gutzler has made the topic of Emotional Intelligence relevant and impactful to myself and my leadership team. These highly - interactive sessions have received consistent praise from my organization, and have had an impact on us both personally and professionally. Steve is an energetic speaker whose passion for this topic is infectious. I give him the highest of recommendations.

5 of 5

Steve inspired our global team through an inspirational and thought-provoking session that left our team motivated to recognize the opportunities ahead, rather than the obstacles in our path, and take ownership of their vision and journey.

5 of 5

Steve’s highly engaging and passionate style kept our team fully engaged and equally important, his relatable and actionable list of key leadership attributes was something our employees could take with them to have an immediate positive impact on their leadership effectiveness. Feedback was very positive and I’d certainly welcome and look for opportunities to work with Steve again.

5 of 5

We had the pleasure of having Steve Gutzler as our keynote speaker this year. Steve’s presentation and speaking skills are exactly what we were looking for and his approach matched our culture in a way that was refreshing. If you are looking for a keynote speaker that keeps your audience's attention and deliver a profound message then Steve is your guy!

Rated 5.00/5 based on 8 customer reviews

Keynotes

Keynote topic by Steve Gutzler:

Emotional Intelligence for Extraordinary Teams

Creating the Optimal Workplace

Emotional Intelligence affects how we manage our emotions, navigate relationships, and achieve positive results. For today’s workforce, emotions are now the biggest factor in employee experience, organizational culture, and team performance. Teams want to feel valued, and they want to work for leaders and companies that truly care about their well-being. 

Emotions drive performance every day. And positive results in the workplace are determined by how your employees navigate change and uncertainty, and how they emotionally impact and influence others on the team.

In this interactive keynote program, Steve Gutzler will provide breakthrough techniques and strategies to create positive influence, high-performing teams, and proven results that will boost your bottom line. 

Recent research has made it clear that increasing your emotional currency and emotional intelligence skillset is the single most important driver of an engaged, results-driven, and highly agile workforce.

Key points in this program:

  • Self-awareness for better influence and communication among team members

  • A deeper understanding of the science behind emotions: what the brain does under pressure, and specific tools and strategies to manage stressful situations

  • Building empathy by being sensitive to the underlying emotional exchange

  • How to use connected language to improve persuasion skills – highly impacting outcomes and profitability

  • How to win the hearts and minds of your people

  • Steve's engaging stories and case studies to inspire teams to thrive in the most challenging circumstances as seen in world-class environments such as the International Space Station, Microsoft, Google, and Yale University. 

This program can be tailored to emphasize a variety of objectives, such as:

  • Team collaboration and communication 

  • Navigating change and managing disruptions

  • Eliminating employee burnout and optimizing emotional health

  • Nurturing emerging leaders and supporting individual contributors

  • Generating sales and cultivating client relationships

  • Adapting Emotional Intelligence skills for challenging fields

Request a quote: Steve Gutzler Emotional Intelligence for Extraordinary Teams

Keynote topic by Steve Gutzler:

Full Potential

How to Perform Best Under Pressure

How do you create a sustainable pace and sustainable success while feeling incredible responsibility, pressure, and stress?

This dynamic keynote addresses the epidemic of stress, pressure, and resiliency. Through inspiring stories and real-life case studies, Steve explains how leaders today need to be both smart and healthy, operating at optimum levels while facing deadlines and challenging relationships. 

Steve will help your leaders and teams increase performance, and provide you with breakthrough techniques and strategies for self-leadership and sustainable success.

Key points in this program:

  • How to self-manage those 17% moments when interactions in business become challenging and work more difficult 

  • How to create stress-resiliency tactics for sustainable success 

  • How to operate at your full potential and tap into confidence, optimism, resiliency, and enthusiasm 

  • How to remain healthy and recognize that exhaustion and burnout are not considered badges of honor 

  • How leaders help others manage energy and emotion when it matters most 

  • Learn the five shifts to grow your influence, impact, and inspiration 

  • Gain clarity around your MVP (Most Valuable and Profitable) accomplishments 

  • How to become both smart and healthy

Request a quote: Steve Gutzler Full Potential

Keynote by Steve Gutzler:

Selling with Emotional Intelligence

The Future of High-Performance Sales

In a rapidly-evolving sales landscape shaped by technology, competition, and customer expectations, one skill stands out as a game-changer: Emotional Intelligence (EI). In this transformative keynote, Steve Gutzler reveals why EI is no longer optional — it’s the future of successful selling.

Drawing from decades of leadership development and sales expertise, Steve uncovers how mastering EI competencies — such as empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills — empowers sales professionals to build authentic connections, foster trust, and close deals with confidence.

Key Takeaways

  • Leverage Emotional Contagion: Use the science of emotions to influence buying decisions and foster trust.

  • People Buy You First: Build rapport and connection as the foundation of every successful sale.

  • Sell Through Storytelling: Engage and inspire with compelling narratives that resonate emotionally.

  • Empathy in Action: Overcome objections and address challenges by understanding and leveraging client emotions.

  • Non-Verbal Mastery: Strengthen your influence with effective body language and non-verbal cues.

  • Build Loyalty for Long-Term Success: Cultivate lasting client relationships that drive repeat business.

Packed with real-world examples, actionable insights, and Steve’s signature motivational style, this program will leave your team inspired and equipped to thrive in a sales world where human connection is the ultimate differentiator.

Prepare to elevate your sales performance by harnessing the power of Emotional Intelligence — because in the future of sales, relationships drive results.

Request a quote: Steve Gutzler Selling with Emotional Intelligence

Keynote by Steve Gutzler:

Human-Centered Leadership

Forging Deeper Connections to Empower and Inspire Teams

In this age where AI and technology are reshaping the way we work and interact, the demand for human-centered skills, particularly Emotional Intelligence (EI), has never been more critical. 

As machines take over more of the routine tasks, the truly distinguishing qualities of top leaders are those skills that machines can't replicate: empathy, awareness, and the nuanced understanding of human emotions. 

This program is dedicated to deepening these essential skills. Audiences will learn to harness the power of emotional intelligence to connect, inspire, and lead with authenticity. Our focus will go beyond traditional leadership training, emphasizing how to navigate and lead effectively in an increasingly automated world. We'll explore how to maintain and enhance human connections and emotional well-being in your teams, ensuring that you stand out as a leader in a technology driven landscape. 

Attendees will learn: 

  • Building Influence through Connections: Learn how to forge meaningful relationships that boost your influence in every interaction. 

  • Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness: Gain insights into managing emotions effectively, both your own and those of others, especially under pressure. 

  • The Science of Emotions: Explore what happens in the brain during stressful situations and uncover strategies to navigate these challenges smoothly. 

  • Empathy as a Leadership Tool: Understand why empathy is crucial for fostering influence, connection, loyalty, collaboration, and effective persuasion. 

  • Enhancing Job Satisfaction: Discover methods to elevate levels of job satisfaction, engagement, and inspiration within your team. 

  • Authentic Relationships: Learn how to authentically capture interest and build genuine relationships that last.

Backed by compelling case studies and enriched with Steve's inspiring anecdotes, this keynote will empower your audience to embrace and apply the principles of human-centered leadership, leading to more successful and cohesive teams. 

This program is ideal for organizations aiming to: 

  • Build a more collaborative and communicative workplace. 

  • Equip your team with the tools to navigate change smoothly and effectively. 

  • Create strategies to eliminate workplace dissatisfaction and support emotional well-being. 

  • Develop a workplace environment that values contribution and mutual support. 

  • Enhance your team's ability to grow sales and strengthen client relations. 

  • Foster a setting where team members feel valued and motivated to excel.

Request a quote: Steve Gutzler Human-Centered Leadership

Keynote by Steve Gutzler:

Emotional Health and Balance

Strategies to Stress-Proof Your Leaders and Teams

Not surprisingly, a new study from Harvard Business Review shows burnout, anxiety, and depression are on a rapid increase for employees today, regardless of their title or position. 

  • 89% of the respondents said their work-life balance is getting worse, not better 

  • 85% said they struggle with stress, anxiety, and burnout 

  • 82% said emotional health and well-being are in decline 

  • 76% said they welcome help in wellness strategies for improved emotional health and balance 

In today’s fast-paced and competitive environment, a person’s emotional health affects their overall work performance; how they cultivate meaningful relationships inside and outside the business; and how they will manage their overall mental health and sustainability moving forward. 

In this interactive program, you’ll discover the same proven and actionable strategies employed by frontline health professionals, SWAT teams, leading corporate executives, and personal leaders. These proven tactics help reset and calibrate emotional wellness to handle stress in these rapidly changing times, resulting in achievable (and sustainable) balance.

Key points in this program: 

  • Learn how emotional health and balance are the new fundamental currency for successful personal leaders and teams today 

  • Discover the power of energy management Identify the five stages of trauma that hold you back 

  • Learn how stress hijacks job performance and shuts down creativity and memory function 

  • Discover the “window of tolerance” as the key to playing and performing at our best 

  • Unlock self-leadership and self-care strategies to stress-proof your personal leadership and regain emotional health and balance

Each participant receives Steve’s Emotional Health and Balance Assessment, which can be utilized as an interactive onsite exercise or as a follow up to the program. 

Ideal for any audience, and customized for each organization, this interactive presentation is designed to help leaders, teams, and individual contributors reset and recharge.

Request a quote: Steve Gutzler Emotional Health and Balance

2026 Speaking Preview Video for Steve Gutzler

Watch Steve Gutzler in action!

Emotional Intelligence for Extraordinary Teams

Watch Steve Gutzler in action!

Unleash the Leader Inside of You

Watch Steve Gutzler in action!

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Phone: +1 347 223 5128

Email: [email protected]