With their depth of knowledge and ability to inspire, keynote speakers educate, inform, and entertain the audience, but more than that, they help them to think differently. These speakers can present information in a unique way and lead the audience on a journey they have not been through before to provide new perspectives.

Among the names that are disrupting this field, Dr Jack Jacoby stands out as a leading figure.

Dr Jack Jacoby’s keynote speaking role commenced by “accident” rather than by intent. He worked, consulted, mentored over 350 people, and taught in a range of exciting contexts, which provided him with valuable insights and a diverse understanding of various situations.

This experience enabled him to think differently, understand intent, and diagnose difficult situations, leading to the development of imaginative solutions for challenging problems. As a result of his reputation, people became interested in his expertise and invited him to speak at various engagements.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Dr Jack’s mission is to be satisfied with his time on earth and leave a positive legacy.

While accomplishing his mission and goals, he has encountered numerous challenges over the years. Some challenges were related to context and difficulty, which is why those challenges still persist.

Dr Jack believes that not all people are wise, experienced, benevolent toward others, empathic, etc. He has found that these human challenges have been the hardest to overcome because “what you see” in a person is not all there is. Uncovering the covered helps identify intent and real objectives.

Then, he faces challenges related to process, governance, scope, and constraints – all of which tend to be an aggravation rather than a real challenge.

Resonating Better with the Audience

Dr Jack suggests that handling challenging or unexpected situations during a live speaking engagement depends on the nature of the situation. For instance, if the challenge is external noise, one can wait it out. If a heckler is present, one can provide a wise retort. If a difficult question is asked, one can acknowledge the difficulty and promise to follow up later.

Dr Jack also recommends creating a plan, working smart, maintaining a positive mindset, seeking support, and accepting help from others as strategies for overcoming challenges in life. The ability to overcome challenges can build confidence, increase self-esteem, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Dr Jack provides many examples from his real-life experiences. He also highlights the importance of offering takeaway notes for the audience. Dr Jack stresses that effective communication is crucial, as the audience must understand the message for it to have an impact.

He cautions that what is said can be influenced by the listener’s context and subjectivity, underscoring the significance of understanding the audience’s context to enhance communication. Additionally, the provided search results contain information about overcoming challenges in lived experience work and the transformative qualities of persistence and resilience.

Commitment to Authenticity

Dr Jack emphasizes that if his communications and efforts to help another are genuine, authentic, and based on his experience, then he believes he has done his best. He asserts that the acceptance or rejection of his suggestions and insights by others is a matter for them and has no impact on his personal and professional life. This perspective reflects his commitment to authenticity and the recognition that individuals have the autonomy to accept or reject the guidance offered to them.

He believes that audiences and clients accept or reject a suggestion or answer largely driven by their context and their subjectivity. Just because it’s the right answer doesn’t mean it will automatically be accepted. Similarly, often wrong answers are accepted.

He was asked to be the keynote speaker at a professional retirement funds conference in South Africa attended by 1500 delegates. The audience loved the approach he took in his address. As a result, the conference organisers paid him four times the quoted rate.

Adding Value to Speeches

Dr Jack hopes to make his audience think differently about the topic he has been asked to speak on in a way that adds value to them.

He believes success is measured by audience feedback and further speaking requests.

Dr Jack’s primary future goal is to keep doing what he has been doing for many years – adding value wherever he can.

To the individuals aspiring to become motivational speakers or keynote presenters, Dr Jack provides the following suggestions:

• Speak from experience.
• Use relevant and authentic examples.
• Be a storyteller.
• Be authentic.
• Be clear about the message.

A Leader Like No Other

Dr Jack is known for the following specialties:

• Master strategist
• Company director
• Appointed by the Commonwealth Government as a Mentor under the Boosting Female Founders Initiative 2020–23
• Appointed by Minister to the Veterinary Practitioners Board Hearing Panel
• Adjunct Professor (2009-2015)
• Taught at several universities
• Enhanced operational capability (defined, assessed, monitored, repaired)
• Undertaken corporate repair (identified “broken” elements of organizations and fixed them)
• Created the organizational 12 Pivot-Point Decision Hierarchy methodology (Strategic Planning tool) and used it in scores of organizations, including the government
• Created the Mission Critical Knowledge Management methodology (defined what roles need to know to make robust decisions to deliver their performance objectives, reducing organizational vulnerability to key people)
• Delivered strong program, project, and change management outcomes (co-author of a book on change management)
• Mentored more than 350 people
• Founded Advisory & Mentoring Pte Ltd – registered in Singapore and operating globally, containing over 100 mentors and subject experts
• CEO of 500 staff organisation (5+ years), arguably World’s Best Practice
• Director in Ernst & Young’s Management Consulting Practice – 5+ years
• National Marketing Manager $100 million Telco operation (Telstra’s PABX Division)
• Business planner and strategist for Government and Private Corporations
• Conducted Prison Review for Attorney General – WA Government
• Reviewed Fire Brigade for Minister Emergency Services – WA Government
• Restructured Building Management Authority for Housing Minister – WA Gov
• Appointed commercial expert by the Victoria Government on the tender evaluation panel
• Major change projects for Coles Myer, Alinta, ALH (Fosters), AWB, Jemena, Ok Tedi, Gordon & Gotch, and others
• Founder of Rhodium business network
• Founder of the VisionCircle Movement
• Appointed expert by Commercialisation Australia to assist entrepreneurial companies
• Conference Speaker
• Author of seven books on diverse topics, including books on Shareholder Value and Change Management
• Invitee and participant in the Australian Government’s 2020 Ideas Summit