For all staff
Watch Your Blind Spot
Unconscious bias without the lecture: what it is, where it hides, and how to interrupt it.
Unconscious bias has a bad reputation, and most of it comes from how it gets taught. This keynote takes the lecture out of it entirely. With evidence, lived stories, and the kind of humour that gets a room to admit what they have been afraid to say out loud, I show what bias actually is, where it comes from, and the practices that interrupt it before it becomes the wrong hire, the missed promotion, or the product nobody wanted to buy.
If you’d like to build on this topic beyond the keynote, you can learn more about how I work with organizations on consulting engagements.
Trailer
See it in ninety seconds
Trailer
A short trailer for this talk lands here. Speaking feedback and a longer sample appear below.
Overview
The bias you cannot see is the one doing the most damage
Most people in a room already know unconscious bias exists. What they have rarely been given is a calm, evidence-based way to talk about it together, without anyone getting defensive and without anyone getting let off the hook.
This keynote starts with the neuroscience in plain language, then moves to the part that actually matters: the patterns showing up in hiring, performance reviews, customer service, product decisions, and the ordinary work of being on a team. I walk through the everyday practices that interrupt bias before it becomes a bad decision, without turning the workplace into a courtroom.
It is the talk for a room with mixed views and mixed comfort levels. People leave able to name what they have been noticing, and with a real sense of what to do about it.
What clients say
From the organizations that booked this talk
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I was fortunate to have had an opportunity to hear Michael speak on diversity, inclusion, and equity while attending a national sports forum. When our organization decided we wanted to expand our understanding in these areas, we turned to Michael because I truly believe he’s one of the best in the country. Informative, engaging, and extremely personable, Michael was an exceptional facilitator, and our team gained a lot of important knowledge from our sessions with him.
Amy Walsh CEO and Co-Founder Future of Hockey Lab
Verified attendee feedback
What audiences leave with
Every keynote I deliver collects attendee feedback independently through Talkadot. The numbers below are the verified scores from my full speaking record.
What audiences walk out with
- Participants gained practical tools and strategies to reduce bias and improve diversity in sourcing, recruiting, interviewing, and hiring practices.
- Attendees developed a deeper understanding of 2SLGBTQI+ terminology, challenges, and ways to support and create safe spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals in the workplace and beyond.
- Leaders learned how to create a more inclusive environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, leading to improved performance and results.
- Individuals felt inspired and motivated to become better allies, challenge their own biases, and advocate for equity and inclusion in their personal and professional lives.
- Michael is a phenomenal speaker. Engaging, knowledgeable, and able to make a complex topic feel approachable. Attendee
- Thoughtful, generous with humour, and the practical examples landed for me. I left with a list of things I can do on Monday. Attendee
- Honest and direct without being preachy. That is rare in this work and exactly why it lands. Attendee
Ten-minute speaking sample
A longer sample, coming soon
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Sample
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Frequently asked
Quick answers before you reach out
How long is this keynote?
Sixty minutes is the standard, and it is adjustable in either direction. Tell me the slot and I will make it work.
Can it be delivered virtually?
Yes. The structure and the audience interaction are the same in both formats. Virtual delivery works on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or whatever platform your team is already using.
Who is this talk for?
Built for all-staff sessions, team kickoffs, and learning weeks. It also lands well with broader leadership audiences and anyone who wants a practical, non-defensive entry point to unconscious bias.
Can the content be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every booking starts with a prep call to tailor the examples, language, and case studies to your sector, your audience, and the moment your organization is in. Customization is part of the speaking fee, not an add-on.
How do we book Michael for this talk?
Send a note through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and budget range. You will hear back within two business days with availability, a fee, and a short note on fit.
Bring me to your stage
Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want people to leave thinking about. I will come back with a short note on fit, format, and what a strong version of this looks like for your room.