Frequently Asked Questions
About Katja Schleicher
Who is Katja Schleicher?
Katja Schleicher is a trilingual communication expert, keynote speaker, and event host. With a background in linguistics, psychology, and corporate communications, she helps leaders and organisations turn everyday dialogue into a strategic advantage. She works seamlessly in English, German, and Dutch, making every conversation count across teams, hierarchies, and cultures.
What is Katja's core philosophy?
Katja believes that "talking is gold and silence is the beginning of all troubles." Her mission is to give people the courage to speak up — to break the silence between individuals, departments, companies, and cultures. She is driven by the conviction that the right words, used at the right time, are the foundation of inclusive and effective organisations.
Who does Katja typically work with?
Katja works with leaders and teams in hybrid or international environments, organisations navigating change, growth, or transformation, and conferences focused on leadership, communication, and the future of work. Her clients range from large banking and pharmaceutical corporations to ambitious start-ups.
Speaking & Keynotes
What topics does Katja speak about? Katja speaks about all things communication. Her signature areas include:
Conversational Intelligence
Building trust and leading across cultures using her Small Talk, Smart Talk, Real Talk framework, which covers the social glue that opens doors, the strategic framing that signals authority, and the courageous dialogue that creates progress.
Intercultural Communication
Understanding how different cultures shape narratives and how professionals can communicate effectively across borders, avoiding mismatched timing and claiming their space with confidence.
Leadership Communication
Mastering the interplay of analogue and digital communication, turning friction into constructive dialogue, and building the conversational trust that precedes respect.
Storytelling & Narrative Leadership
Using the power of stories to lead with empathy, build credibility, and create sustainable change.
Gender Communication
Utilising both feminine and masculine communication patterns to strengthen leadership presence and collaboration.
What can audiences expect from a Katja Schleicher keynote?
Audiences can expect a blend of sharp insight, practical tools, and humour. Katja is known for her provocative style and her ability to make complex communication concepts simple and immediately usable. Participants leave with language and strategies they can apply in their next meeting — not just ideas to admire.
What is "The Keynote Trilogy"?
The Keynote Trilogy is a unique offering of three thought-provoking mini-keynotes exploring the human side of communication, presence, and understanding. It covers:
Small Talk. Smart Talk. Real Talk. — How three types of conversations shape professional success.
Standing Your Ground — How posture, movement, and presence influence leadership perception (using the metaphor of shoes).
The Secret of (Not) Being Understood — Decoding hidden communication patterns across industries, cultures, and generations.
What are the key takeaways from her keynotes?
Participants typically leave with a new understanding of how conversations shape careers and organisations, practical tools to improve clarity and influence, strategies for cross-cultural and cross-generational communication, and the confidence to claim their voice and use it effectively.
Event Hosting & Moderation
Does Katja host events or moderate panels?
Yes. Katja is a highly sought-after Master of Ceremonies (MC), moderator, and "Conversation Architect" for business forums, panel discussions, and conferences, particularly in international and multicultural environments.
What is Katja's approach as a moderator?
Katja sees moderation not simply as guiding a panel, but as designing a conversation. She combines communicative intelligence, intellectual framing, and journalistic interviewing. As a "Challenger," she asks the precise questions everyone is thinking; as a "Synthesizer," she connects perspectives and translates complex insights into clear takeaways for the audience.
What areas of expertise does Katja frequently moderate?
Katja frequently moderates conversations at the intersection of technology, innovation, and societal change, including:
Sustainability and climate transition
Deep tech and innovation
Mobility and energy systems
Policy and public-private dialogue
What is the "Wrap-Up Keynote"?
The Wrap-Up Keynote is a special service where Katja transforms a full conference day into a coherent and memorable closing moment. After listening throughout the event, she delivers a short closing keynote that identifies central themes, connects ideas across sessions, highlights surprising insights, and translates expert knowledge into meaningful takeaways.
Does Katja facilitate offsites and team retreats?
Yes. Katja provides expert facilitation for offsite meetings and team retreats, working with clients to design customised agendas for strategic planning, team building, or innovation, creating a safe and productive environment for open dialogue.
Booking & Logistics
In which languages can Katja present or host?
Katja is fluent in English, German, and Dutch and can deliver keynotes, workshops, or hosting duties in any of these languages, or in a combination of them.
What types of events does Katja cater to?
Katja is available for a wide range of formats, including conference keynotes, after-dinner speeches, inspirational talks, panel moderation, fireside conversations, award ceremonies, business talks, deep-dive expertise sessions, and internal company events.
How long are her keynotes?
Katja offers sessions of 25, 40, or 60 minutes, depending on the needs of the event.
Can Katja accommodate remote or hybrid events?
Yes. Katja is experienced across all event setups: single on-site venues, multiple on-site venues with video streaming, fully remote events, and hybrid formats.
How do I get in touch to discuss a booking?
You are welcome to reach out directly by email at ks@interview-training.eu
Phone +31 (0) 61 902 17 17 (Netherlands)
or +49 (0) 151 176 602 09 (Germany).
When making an enquiry, it is helpful to include details about your event — the number of participants, country, specific challenges or desired outcomes, preferred language(s), and the date you have in mind.