Senior Lecturer at MIT & Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute Helping Leaders Tune Into the Future Before It Fully Unfolds

Cambridge, MA, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Otto Scharmer Biography

Dr. C. Otto Scharmer is a Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and Founding Chair of the Presencing Institute, where for over two decades he has advanced cross-sector systems transformation. His groundbreaking work on “presencing” — learning from the emerging future — has redefined leadership thinking and practice worldwide.

He is the author of the bestselling books "Theory U" and "Leading from the Emerging Future," "Essentials of Theory U," and co-author (with Katrin Kaufer) of "Presencing: 7 Practices for Transforming Self, Society and Business."

Through initiatives such as the MITx u-lab, Otto has mobilized a community of over 260,000 participants from 197 countries and co-created Action Learning Labs for UN agencies and SDG Leadership Labs for UN Country Teams in 26 countries.

A member of the Club of Rome, and the Word Future Council, Otto’s current work centers on shifting “from social systems to social soil” — the inner sources of attention, intention, and agency that enable profound societal regeneration. Raised on a farm in northern Germany, his metaphor of cultivating the social soil bridges agriculture, consciousness, and systems change.

He holds a PhD in economics from Witten/Herdecke University and has received the Jamieson Prize for Teaching Excellence at MIT, the Leonardo Corporate Learning Award, and the Elevating Humanity Award from the Organizational Development Network.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/03/2026.

Otto Scharmer Speaking Topics

  • From Social Systems to Social Soil: Seven Practices for Leading Profound Innovation and Regenerative Renewal

    In an era of deep disruption, our greatest capacity is the ability to sense and actualize emerging future possibilities. Drawing from his latest book "Presencing," Otto Scharmer explores how leaders and changemakers can shift their attention from the visible structures of systems to the invisible “social soil” beneath them — the quality of relationships, awareness, and intention that shape collective outcomes. Grounded in action research across global initiatives, he shows how aligning attention, intention, and agency creates “islands of coherence” capable of elevating whole systems.

    This interactive talk invites participants to turn the beam of attention back onto themselves — to listen deeply, see themselves as part of a living system, and activate their capacity for presencing the future that is waiting to emerge.

    Suggested Length: 60–90 minutes keynote | 2 hour to half-day workshop option

  • The Art of Presencing: Learning from the Emerging Future

    How leaders can sense what wants to emerge and act from it with clarity and courage.

Read More +

Otto Scharmer Videos

Otto Scharmer - Presencing Institute

Otto Scharmer - Presencing Institute

The Essence of Systems Thinking

Otto Scharmer - ChangeNOW2023

Otto Scharmer - ChangeNOW2023

Inner change for emerging futures: From imagination to action

Otto Scharmer - U.N. 2.0 Week

Otto Scharmer - U.N. 2.0 Week

Cultivating the conditions for change

  • How do I book Otto Scharmer to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Otto Scharmer

    Speaking fees for Otto Scharmer, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Otto Scharmer are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Otto Scharmer, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Otto Scharmer speak about?

    Otto Scharmer is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Business Leadership, College, Education, European Heritage, Innovation, Leadership, Professors, Sustainability
  • Where does Otto Scharmer travel from?

    Otto Scharmer generally travels from Cambridge, MA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Otto Scharmer for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Otto Scharmer for your next private or corporate function.
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Otto Scharmer is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as From Social Systems to Social Soil: Seven Practices for Leading Profound Innovation and Regenerative Renewal, The Art of Presencing: Learning from the Emerging Future, From Ego to Eco: Upgrade Your Operating System in Leadership, Organization, and Societal Ecosystems, Seven Practices For Cultivating the Social Soil, Islands of Coherence: How Small Groups Can Shift Large Systems and The U Process in Practice. The estimated speaking fee range to book Otto Scharmer for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Otto Scharmer generally travels from Cambridge, MA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Neal Petersen, Dan Buettner, Roberto Verganti, Blake Mycoskie and Bunker Roy. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Otto Scharmer for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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