Steve Gilliland

Steve Gilliland

A member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, Steve Gilliland is one of the most in-demand and top-rated speakers in the world. Recognized as a master storyteller and brilliant comedian, he can be heard daily on SiriusXM Radio’s Laugh USA and Jeff & Larry's Comedy Roundup. Presenting to over 250,000 people a year, more than two million have now heard him speak.

In addition to his brilliant speaking career, Steve is a prolific, accomplished author, evidenced by six of his books—Detour, Enjoy The Ride, Hide Your Goat, Making a Difference, The Cherry on Top and Turn the Page — perennially making the publisher’s bestseller list and his being named Author of the Year.

As one newspaper stated, “Steve is what happens when the humor of a stand-up comic collides with the inspiration of a motivational speaker.”

Most Requested Programs

Enjoy The Ride
A blueprint for getting the most out of life, Enjoy The Ride™ is a hilarious and brilliantly conceived keynote that causes people to examine where they are personally and professionally. It lifts people up and inspires them to evolve and appreciate, rather than simply maintain and exist.

Key Points:

  • Check Your Passion: Love what you do; never forget why you do it.
  • Cure Your Destination Disease: Live more for today, less for tomorrow & never about yesterday.
  • Refocus Your Attention: Decide what’s important & never take it for granted.

Takeaway Message:
If you want to achieve true success and fulfillment, you must first discover an enthusiasm for your work and personal life. Decide where you are heading, get on the bus, choose the right seat and Enjoy The Ride™!

Making a Difference
Focusing on the conscious choices we make every day that impact the lives of others, Making a Difference™ is an eye-opening and heartfelt keynote detailing how to positively influence people in every imaginable way, regardless of position or status. Each of us has the potential to transform the culture of an organization through our actions and attitude.

3 Empowering Dynamics:

  • Purpose: It drives you!
  • Passion: It fuels you!
  • Pride: It defines you!

Takeaway Message:
While we don’t always know what challenges face the people we meet every day, we do have the power to bring them hope. That hope can multiply a thousand times over and spread throughout the world exponentially. This is the essential, motivating truth behind Making a Difference™!

Hide Your Goat
Our fast-paced and stress-filled schedules open the gate to allow people and circumstances every opportunity to “get our goat.” HIDE YOUR GOAT puts into perspective how your daily life intersects with people of diverse backgrounds, opinions and personalities. In this eye-opening session, Steve Gilliland shows how to avoid being robbed of the opportunity to perform at peak performance because of negativity.

Key Takeaways:

  • How to head off conflict when negativity runs rampant & how to improve your own outlook
  • How to deal with by-products of bad attitudes
  • How to assign the right value to every situation & not give people permission to ruin your day

The Cherry on Top
We all have different measures and definitions of what it means to be successful, and no one definition is right or wrong. We’re all familiar with the common success factors; however, the number one thing you can do to ensure success personally and professionally is to add value. This program is about how to develop and deliver value in everything you do. Organizations with great cultures add value to their people, their products and their services.

Key Takeaways:

  • How to step away from our own agendas and see what is necessary to add value
  • How to differentiate yourself from others and be recognized as the best
  • How to improve the efficiency of the process

Emerge
The challenges we face in life will test our courage and willingness to change. As individuals, it is not the mountains we must conquer, but ourselves. While we continue to face many unknowns, it is crucial we develop the right mindset to persist and emerge strong-minded from challenging times. EMERGE is a timely and eye-opening message that centers on how to navigate on a course that we never planned, into a future we never imagined.

Key Points:

  • Gratitude: When we face a challenge, gratitude provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances
  • Confidence: Challenges are spikes in that imaginary limitation barrier that guide you to awareness and confidence. Life’s experiences can make you better and stronger, and more confident
  • Determination: Remember your why! It is tremendously helpful in those stressful moments when nothing seems to be working right, and you’re tempted to retreat to where you started

Takeaway Message:
Now is the time to learn from yesterday, live for today, and emerge smarter, stronger, and more focused

Testimonials

"Your virtual presentation was so inspiring as well as thought provoking. You and your team over-delivered on your promise. The audio and video delivery were awesome!" - AO Smith

"I'm not sure I can adequately express my appreciation for your presentations at our Annual Trade Show and Convention. You were the highlight of our event. Your professionalism observing the social distancing and rules we required for everyone who attended was noteworthy. Thank you for going the extra mile to support our vendors and sponsors. Classy!" - South Carolina Health Care Association

"When a colleague of mine heard you speak LIVE last year, she was blown away. When I heard you speak virtually, I was likewise captivated. Your ability to connect with our people via a computer-generated platform was astonishing! I will definitely be reaching out to bring you back to speak in person when we 'EMERGE' from this difficult time." - Chester County Intermediate Unit

"I could not have asked for a better beginning to our year. We had every district employee in attendance and I know they were all motivated to Make A Difference. You had us laughing, crying, and laughing some more. It was evident you had touched everyone in the auditorium, as all 282 members of our Red Team were on our feet with a standing ovation when you concluded. I received so many positive comments after our day concluded." - Huntington Independent School District

“I heard Steve speak at a national convention and immediately knew he would be perfect for our 100th Annual Convention. Our members are still raving about him. Truly a remarkable speaker!” - South Dakota Auto Dealers Association