The Keynote Trilogy
The Human Side of Communication, Presence and Understanding
In a world of hybrid work, global teams, and constant change, organisations face a common challenge.
People talk more than ever, yet understanding each other has become harder. Through three thought-provoking mini-keynotes, communication expert Katja Schleicher explores the hidden dynamics that shape how we connect, influence, and collaborate.
Each keynote approaches the topic from a different perspective. Together, they reveal the deeper mechanics of human interaction in modern organisations — and why organisations succeed or fail not only because of strategy, technology, or expertise, but because of how people interact with each other.
What This Trilogy Explores
Part 1: Small Talk. Smart Talk. Real Talk.
Every organisation runs on conversations — the informal exchange at the coffee machine, the strategic discussion in the boardroom, the difficult dialogue no one wants to start. Katja introduces a powerful framework that reveals how three types of conversations shape professional success: Small Talk (where trust begins), Smart Talk (where influence is built), and Real Talk (where credibility is tested). Progress often depends on something much simpler than strategy: whether the right conversation happens at the right moment.
Part 2: Standing Your Ground
Before a leader speaks, the room has already noticed how they enter. Using the surprising metaphor of shoes, Katja explores how posture, movement, and presence influence how leadership is perceived — while simultaneously challenging the popular myths surrounding power signals and body language. Real leadership lies somewhere between signals and substance. The result is a witty and thought-provoking exploration of presence, perception, and what truly creates authority in modern workplaces.
Part 3: The Secret of (Not) Being Understood
Misunderstandings happen because people speak different communication languages. Industries, cultures, generations, and organisations all develop their own conversational codes — their own rhythms, narratives, and expectations. Katja shows how conversational intelligence helps us decode these hidden patterns and navigate modern workplaces where communication styles constantly collide.
The Connecting Idea
Across all three mini-keynotes runs one central insight: organisations succeed or fail not only because of strategy, technology, or expertise. They succeed or fail because of how people interact with each other:
The conversations they have
The signals they send
The way they understand each other.
Or don't.
In a world of hybrid work, global teams, and constant change, organisations face a common challenge: people talk more than ever, yet understanding each other has become harder.
