What to Look for in an Innovation Speaker (And How to Know You’ve Found the Right One)

When organizations search for an innovation speaker, they’re usually not just looking for inspiration.

They’re looking for momentum.

They want someone who can challenge conventional thinking, spark new ideas, and help leaders rethink risk, boundaries, and growth in a rapidly changing world.

But not all innovation speakers are the same.

Here’s what to look for before you book one.

1. Real-World Innovation Experience (Not Just Theory)

An effective innovation speaker doesn’t just talk about creativity — they understand how organizations actually work.

They know:

• Boards resist risk.

• Leaders struggle with execution.

• Teams collect feedback but don’t act on it.

• Good ideas die in middle management.

The best innovation speakers bring frameworks that work in real organizations — associations, corporations, healthcare systems, manufacturing companies, and member-based organizations alike.

They move beyond buzzwords and into practical strategy.

2. A Clear Point of View on Risk

Innovation requires risk.

But reckless risk-taking isn’t leadership — it’s chaos.

The strongest innovation speakers teach leaders how to:

• Define failure boundaries

• Separate the “what” from the “how”

• Build cultures that take more shots

• Measure experimentation without losing stability

Organizations don’t need more brainstorming.
They need disciplined experimentation.

3. A Message That Works Across Industries

If a speaker can only talk about Silicon Valley, that’s a red flag.

A powerful innovation keynote translates across industries — construction, healthcare, finance, hospitality, nonprofits, trade associations, and beyond.

True innovation principles are universal:

• Listening deeply

• Acting on feedback

• Taking more attempts

• Designing constraints that spark creativity

4. Energy That Moves the Room

Innovation is emotional.

A great innovation speaker doesn’t just inform — they create urgency. They energize leaders to try something new immediately.

Audiences should walk away thinking:

“We can do this.”
“We should try this.”
“Why aren’t we doing this already?”

Why Organizations Book Sheri Jacobs as an Innovation Speaker

Sheri Jacobs is a nationally recognized innovation keynote speaker known for her talks:

• Take More Shots: How to Innovate, Embrace Risk, and Spark Growth

• The Unexpected Power of Boundaries: Rethinking the Rules, Risks, and Real Drivers of Innovation

• The Innovation Wake-Up Call: How to Ignite Bold Ideas, Embrace AI, & Future-Proof Your Team

Her work focuses on:

• Turning customer insight into action

• Building shot-taking cultures

• Using boundaries as fuel for innovation

• Helping leaders experiment responsibly

Organizations book Sheri when they want both inspiration and execution clarity.

Because innovation isn’t about ideas.

It’s about action.