Leadership Development & Organizational Culture Expert; Award-Winning & Bestselling Author of "The Respectful Leader" and Founder & Executive Director of The Center for Respectful Leadership

San Diego, CA, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Gregg Ward Biography

Gregg Ward never planned to become one of the country’s most sought-after keynote speakers on leadership, respect, and personal growth. His journey began far from corporate boardrooms—on the stages of New York, immersed in acting, writing, and directing. A single phone call changed everything: an invitation to help pioneer a revolutionary training program for the NYPD using live interactive theater and improvisation. That moment didn’t just alter the course of Ward’s life—it set the stage for a lifelong mission.

Today, Ward is an electrifying keynote speaker, bestselling and award-winning author, and respected executive coach who has delivered over 2,500 programs around the world. His message is as clear as it is urgent: self-respect and respectful leadership aren't optional—they're the foundation of lasting personal and organizational transformation.

The son of legendary sportswriter Gene Ward, Gregg grew up inspired by icons like Joe Namath, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, and Muhammad Ali. These legends didn’t just teach him about the power of the game—they modeled resilience, respect, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. It’s no surprise that these values are now woven into every keynote Ward delivers.

Whether he's speaking to Fortune 500 executives or frontline leaders, Ward’s style is interactive, vulnerable, and unforgettable. In his popular TEDx talk, "Confessions of an Accidental Killer," he shares a deeply personal story of regret and redemption that led him to uncover the most powerful tool in any leader’s toolkit: self-respect. That life-altering experience became the foundation for his keynote, "Stop Holding Yourself Back"—a call to action for anyone who knows they were meant for more but feels stuck by fear, doubt, or past mistakes.

Ward is also the author of the bestselling business fable "The Respectful Leader," named a Best Book of the Month by Amazon and honored with a Gold Medal by the prestigious Axiom Business Book Awards competition. He has worked with powerhouse organizations like ADP, Booz Allen Hamilton, Ford, Harley-Davidson, Intel, Qualcomm, Kaiser Permanente, Warner Bros. Studios, and the U.S. Navy, helping their leaders move away from outdated, fear-based leadership models to inclusive, empowering, psychologically safe cultures where people thrive.

A piece of the Berlin Wall—retrieved during his time as a journalist covering its fall—often appears on stage with him as a reminder: transformation is possible. Walls can come down. Lives and cultures can change. Ward doesn’t just speak—he sparks breakthroughs. A keynote speaker who blends powerful storytelling with proven strategies, who challenges and uplifts in equal measure, and who leaves audiences inspired to take action, Ward is the voice your event has been waiting for.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/18/2025.

Gregg Ward Speaking Topics

  • Stop Holding Yourself Back - From Inner Critic to Inner Champion: The Journey to Self-Respect

    We all have regrets. Some are small—like that extra donut we shouldn’t have eaten. Others, however, can haunt us for a lifetime.

    Gregg Ward knows this better than most. In this deeply personal and electrifying talk—an extension of his moving TEDx talk—Gregg shares his journey of overcoming immense regret and self-loathing after causing the accidental death of his high school sweetheart when he was just 18.

    Drawing on the powerful lessons learned from his own healing process, Gregg shows audiences how to move beyond their regrets—not by ignoring them, but by embracing and learning from them. He shares how regaining self-respect can unlock extraordinary potential in all areas of life.

    Through candid storytelling, gentle healing humor, and hard-won wisdom, Gregg inspires others to reclaim their confidence, heal from their emotional burdens, and embrace the freedom to move forward.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • Overcome the Weight of Regret: Learn how to own your past without letting it hold you back or define your future.
    • Transform Guilt into Growth: Discover how to use your regrets as a source of strength to create positive change in your life.
    • Rebuild Self-Respect: Learn how to regain trust and confidence—not just with yourself, but with those around you.
    • Shift from Self-Loathing to Self-Respect: Develop the mindset to move forward with clarity, courage, and empathy.
    • Embrace Personal Transformation: Experience firsthand how shifting your mindset can lead to profound personal growth.

  • How to Lead with Self-Respect - Helping High Achievers Break Free from Limiting Beliefs

    How do you become an authentic, confident leader who inspires respect in others? It starts with learning to respect yourself. Yet, many leaders secretly struggle with self-doubt, regret, and hidden emotional burdens that prevent them from reaching their full potential. In this keynote, Gregg Ward shares his deeply personal journey—from overcoming a life-altering trauma to discovering the transformative power of self-respect.

    Through powerful storytelling, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, Gregg takes audiences on an inspiring exploration of how reclaiming self-respect can unlock extraordinary potential in leadership, relationships, and life. Drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, and his decades of leadership experience, he reveals how high-achievers can heal from past wounds, break free from limiting beliefs, and lead with authenticity and strength. This keynote is an invitation to reclaim your power and redefine what it means to lead with true respect—for yourself and others.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • Identify and overcome the hidden emotional burdens that undermine leadership potential
    • Use self-respect to rebuild confidence, psychological safety, and trust with your team
    • Develop the mindset needed to lead with empathy, clarity, and courage
    • Cultivate a culture of respect that inspires transformation in your organization
    • Unlock your highest potential in work, relationships, and beyond

Read More +

Gregg Ward Videos

Gregg Ward Speakers Reel

Gregg Ward Speakers Reel

Gregg Ward - Bestselling, Award-Winning Author, Speaker, Thought Leader, Executive Coach and Founder of the Center for Respectful Leadership and the...

Gregg Ward | TEDxSanDiego

Gregg Ward | TEDxSanDiego

Confessions of an accidental killer

  • How do I book Gregg Ward to speak at my event?

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  • What topics does Gregg Ward speak about?

  • Where does Gregg Ward travel from?

    Gregg Ward generally travels from San Diego, CA, 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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Gregg Ward is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Stop Holding Yourself Back - From Inner Critic to Inner Champion: The Journey to Self-Respect, How to Lead with Self-Respect - Helping High Achievers Break Free from Limiting Beliefs, Leading Through the Storm - Cultivating Actively Respectful Cultures in Times of Uncertainty, Can I Trust You? - Building the Foundation for Successful Collaboration and Bridging the Generational Divide - How to Foster Respectful Leadership in a Changing Workforce. The estimated speaking fee range to book Gregg Ward for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Gregg Ward generally travels from San Diego, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Adrian Gostick, Tim Sanders, Steven Van Cohen, Libby Gill and Chester Elton. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Gregg Ward for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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