Speaking

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker Who Makes You Act, Not Just Feel Good

I’m not a motivational speaker, and I don’t want to be one. My keynote speeches pack brutal honesty, real-world insights, and actionable advice that push your audience to think, act, and transform.

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What You Get When You Book Me as Your Keynote Speaker

Look, most keynote speakers show up, tell you to “dream big,” then leave you with nothing but a warm feeling that evaporates before you hit the parking lot.

That’s not what I do.

When I take the stage, I deliver an experience that leaves your audience thinking, questioning, and ready to do something different.

I pull from 30+ years leading teams at KPMG and EY, co-founding a business, coaching executives, and climbing mountains where one bad decision costs you everything. That means real stories with actionable lessons.

I use humor. I challenge assumptions. I connect with your audience because I’m not just reading slides, I’m talking to them like adults who’ve been in the trenches.

Unlike motivational speakers who hype emotions, my job as a keynote speaker is to set the tone for your event, provoke real thinking, and give people tools they can actually use.

Why Choose Me as Your Keynote Speaker?

I Keep People Awake

My keynote speeches grab attention in the first 60 seconds and don’t let go. Just real stories, sharp insights, and energy that keeps your audience engaged, not checking their phones.

I've Actually Done This Stuff

I spent 30 years at KPMG and EY, built a company, sold it to Kaplan, and coached hundreds of leaders. My insights come from real wins, failures, and corporate battles.

Your Team Leaves with Tools, Not Vibes

People walk out with strategies they can test on Monday. I give them frameworks, questions, and steps they can use immediately.

It's an Experience, Not a Lecture

My keynote speeches spark conversation, challenge comfortable thinking, and leave a mark that lasts weeks after your event. Your audience remembers the message because it was entertaining, uncomfortable, and true.

I Push Growth, Not Feelings

My sessions make people think harder and act smarter. Attendees leave ready to change something. Real growth beats temporary motivation every time.

Real Stories. Real Growth

I attended Binod’s session-” Let’s get unstuck ” in Sept 2024. Binod is a no- nonsense guy. Honest and passionate in his work. Tough but realistic in goal setting. I highly recommend Binod for those who are bold enough to make a change to live their values to the fullest.

- Rashita Puthiya Senior Lecturer, Middlesex University, Dubai

Binod was an exceptional speaker. His session on “Finding Your Values” was truly inspiring and thought-provoking. Binod’s ability to connect with the audience on a personal level was remarkable. His practical insights and real-world examples made the complex topic of values easily understandable and applicable. I highly recommend Binod as a speaker.

- Ritesh Singh Director, Imarticus Education, New Delhi

I had the pleasure of attending a session by Binod Shankar on ‘Women in Leadership’. The depth that Binod went into gave the audience a taste of what women face in breaking through the glass ceiling. His practical advice on how ‘stuck managers’ can advance their careers by increasing their influence at work and being more visible was really simple when you think of it in hindsight but not many make a conscious effort to do them.

- Eugene D’ Souza CFO, Sony Middle East, Dubai

Binod ran a session for our Group of HR Professionals entitled: “Coaching Your Future Leaders”. His presentation was very insightful and interesting and was deemed very relevant given today’s challenges faced by people leaders. His extensive knowledge coupled with his robust work experience shone through his presentation. I also appreciated his open style and commitment to deliver an excellent presentation as he made sure that I am happy with the content by holding several conversations with me prior to the event. I highly recommend Binod to anyone who’s looking for an insightful speaker!

- Mark Galea CHRO, , Malta

Binod is an amazing speaker. His presentation on “Bridging the Skills Gap” was really insightful. I could relate to so many areas of his personal story. His experience in overcoming challenges thrown at him over so many years and his insights into mountaineering – how it teaches you to embrace failure and yet keep on moving forward- would have motivated many individuals.

- Nikhil Bansal VP, OakNorth Bank, Bangalore

Binod is an exemplary speaker with the ability to turn a very complex subject into an easily digestible and enjoyable session. Our participants benefited greatly from his teachings and his expertise. His friendly style and personality allowed our participants to connect with him easily and benefit immensely from his teachings. I highly recommend Binod as a speaker and facilitator.

- Mona Tavassoli Founder, Mompreneurs, Toronto

My Top Keynotes

How to get unstuck

Values are your GPS, your foundational principles that influence every decision you make. Turns out it’s usually when you go through hell that you find out your values. The good news – you don’t have to go through all that. Binod presents this thought provoking, life transforming Value Discovery session with some actionable insights.

The Transmission Talk

Break silos, spark startup energy, and supercharge teamwork. In The Transmission Talk, managers face off in fun communication challenges, learn to share clear priorities, fail fast, and open up radical transparency. Walk away with simple, bold, down-to-earth tactics to boost real collaboration, slash stress, and ignite lasting innovation across the organization.

Shattering the Mold: The Journey from Silence to Influence

Women in business, finance, or politics still face massive challenges. Binod dives deep into the internal and external factors holding women back, and with brutal honesty offers insights and practical steps to winning at work and life.

The Future of Work

With AI encroaching on more human roles, is it Game Over for humanity? Binod explores the skills that will rise in demand and how leaders can stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

Take Charge to Take Off: Ten Strategies to Leverage Your Charter

Getting your CFA charter is just the start. Binod reveals the top strategies for standing out in a crowded market, finding your fit, and making a real impact in your career.

Personal Branding: How to Transform Your Career

Your personal brand is the key to visibility and career success. Binod has built both business and personal brands and he walks you through the practical steps of crafting a powerful personal brand.

The power of anger

Anger isn’t all bad. In fact, when channelled correctly, it can be a game-changer. Binod shares how moments of burning anger pushed him from failure to success, proving there’s a superhero in each of us.

How to Win: Decoding Special Performance

From mountain peaks to career peaks, Binod breaks down the mindset and skills that lead to what he calls “Special Performance.” It’s all about pushing past limits, both physical and mental.

Coaching Future Leaders

Too often, people are promoted to leadership roles they’re not ready for. Binod explains why this happens, where traditional approaches fail, and offers proven strategies to help young leaders thrive.

High Exposure: Lessons in Risk Management from the Mountains

In mountaineering, one wrong move can be deadly. Binod shares gripping stories from his high-altitude adventures, translating those lessons into actionable insights for managing risk in business.

The Transformation from CA to Leader

Many Chartered Accountants struggle to evolve into leadership roles. Binod outlines the key skills and mindset shifts required to lead effectively, drawing on his own transformation from CA to CEO.

Keynote Speaker Questions, Answered

: I am a finance leader turned entrepreneur and executive coach with 30+ years of experience across boardrooms, classrooms, and global stages. I bring a rare mix of corporate scars, entrepreneurial grit, extreme adventure stories and public speaking savvy. My 30 + years of work experience give me real stories, cultural insight, and bold truths that push audiences to act differently.
: Absolutely. Some clients book me for a keynote and then extend into leadership workshops or coaching to embed the change.
: My keynote speeches cover many career related topics including how to get unstuck in your career, personal branding, stress management for leaders, challenges (and solutions) for aspiring women leaders, discovering personal values, closing the employability gap, and how to quit to win.
: Unlike many public speakers, I cut the jargon. I also share insightful stories from corporate life, entrepreneurship, cycling and mountaineering, delivered with cultural insight gained from nearly three decades working in the GCC.
: Yes. Whether your company is in professional services, banking, energy, or government, I adapt the keynote speech to your industry and culture. I do my research including talking to your leaders before the speech.
: My platform speaking style is clear, practical, and engaging. Audiences often say I make complex ideas simple and cut out the fluff. Humor, energy, and real-world insights keep people hooked, while the focus on honesty and impact makes the message stick. It’s direct, memorable, and designed for lasting change.
: I connect by focusing on what we share, not what divides us. With 27 years work experience in the GCC, I understand cultural nuance. My keynote speech style -direct, humorous, and practical- resonates across age, nationality, and gender. People engage because the lessons are real, the delivery is authentic, and the stories cut across boundaries.
: Audiences leave with practical leadership tools, sharper self-awareness, and questions that drive change. My aim is not hype, but long-lasting growth.
: Booking is easy. Contact me via my website or email. We’ll align on audience, goals, and logistics.

Executive coaching is a personalised, one-on-one process where a coach helps executives and leaders develop their skills, overcome challenges, and achieve their professional goals.

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Executive coaching is a personalised, one-on-one process where a coach helps executives and leaders develop their skills, overcome challenges, and achieve their professional goals.

See Me in Action

Want to know what I’m like on stage? Check out my SpeakerHub profile to watch highlights from past talks. You’ll get a sense of the energy, humor, and impact I bring to every event.

Companies Binod Has Worked With

Meet The Man Behind the Magic

My speaking style is real-world experience mixed with practical wisdom and a bit of humor. I’ve spent my career in corporate boardrooms, startups, and on mountains where mistakes kill you. My keynote speeches aren’t lectures, they’re experiences that connect, provoke, and stick. I simplify complex ideas into stories people remember long after your event ends.