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Keynote SpeakerArthur Brooks

Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School, Columnist at The Atlantic of the popular "How to Build a Life" column

Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic,... Read more

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Popular Talks by Arthur Brooks

  • Leadership & Happiness in Times of Rapid Change

    Periods of change can unsettle even the strongest teams. Uncertainty drives fear, morale drops, and leaders are left wondering how to steady the ship (while battling their own worries). Fortunately, science has answers on how to boost morale and happiness in the workplace, even in challenging times, so you can see…
  • Leadership & Happiness

    Most people think success is the key to happiness, but they are wrong. Happiness is the key to success. When you can truly understand and manage happiness, success follows. Unfortunately, most people have to learn this fact by hard experience. Arthur flips the conventional script, showing that when leaders prioritize emotional…
  • How to Get Happier in an Unhappy World

    The evidence is clear: In almost every country, happiness is falling. Loneliness is rising. Relationships are fraying. Political polarization is on the rise. And many people are quietly asking: Is it even possible to feel happy right now? Arthur’s answer? Yes—if you know what truly drives happiness, and how to practice…
  • The Secrets of Self-Management

    Most people are good at managing things around them—their families, their homes, their jobs, even their companies. But managing their own feelings is a big mystery, and an enormous barrier to happiness. This talk introduces the amazing science of emotional self-management. With knowledge and a few changes in habits, each…
  • Moving from Strength to Strength in Work, Life & Happiness

    What happens when the skills that once defined your success start to fade? For high-achievers (who we call “strivers”), this shift can feel like a threat to their identity, confidence, and sense of purpose. In this keynote, Arthur reframes that fear into freedom. Drawing on ancient wisdom, and historical analysis, Arthur…
  • Love your Enemies

    America is afflicted with a “culture of contempt”. More and more, people aren’t just disagreeing with each other. They’re disregarding others as “worthless” instead of just misguided or incorrect. And it’s making us angrier, lonelier, and less happy. Through ancient wisdom and cutting-edge behavioral science, Arthur provides a roadmap to the…

Biography

Arthur C. Brooks is the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public and Nonprofit Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and social entrepreneurship. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular “How to Build a Life” column. Brooks is a New York Times bestseller and has authored many books, including From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, How to Build a Life, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier with co-author Oprah Winfrey, and his latest book The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life. He speaks to audiences all around the world about human happiness and works to raise well-being within private companies, universities, public agencies, and community organizations.

Brooks began his career as a classical French hornist, leaving college at 19, touring and recording in the United States and Spain. In his late twenties, while still performing, he returned to school, earning a BA through distance learning. At 31, he left music and earned an MPhil and PhD in public policy analysis from the Rand Graduate School, during which time he worked as an analyst for the Rand Corporation’s Project Air Force, performing military operations research analysis. Brooks then spent the next 10 years as a university professor, primarily at Syracuse University, where he taught economics and nonprofit management, and published 60 peer-reviewed articles and several books, including the textbook “Social Entrepreneurship” (2008). In 2009, Brooks became the president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington, DC, one of the world’s most influential think tanks. Over the following decade, he was selected as one of Fortune Magazine’s “50 World’s Greatest Leaders” and was awarded seven honorary doctorates.

Originally from Seattle, Brooks currently lives outside Boston, with his wife Ester Munt-Brooks, who is a native of Barcelona. They have three adult children: Joaquim, Carlos, and Marina.

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How to book Arthur Brooks as a keynote speaker

How do I book Arthur Brooks for a keynote speech?

You can book Arthur Brooks through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Arthur's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Arthur Brooks's speaking fees?

Arthur Brooks's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Arthur tailored to your event.

What topics does Arthur Brooks speak about?

Arthur Brooks speaks on Business & Management, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Organisation, Performance. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Arthur to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Arthur Brooks available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Arthur Brooks for events worldwide, subject to Arthur's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Arthur Brooks deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Arthur Brooks is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Arthur Brooks?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Arthur can accommodate.

Can Arthur Brooks tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Arthur Brooks on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Arthur can offer.

What languages does Arthur Brooks present in?

Arthur Brooks delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Arthur Brooks a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Arthur Brooks's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Organisation, Performance. To get a clear sense of Arthur's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Arthur Brooks speak at?

Arthur Brooks can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Organisation, Performance is relevant. Details of Arthur's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Arthur Brooks offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Arthur Brooks is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Arthur Brooks?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Arthur Brooks, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Arthur's current availability for your dates.