Beth Sherman
Leadership Communication Keynote Speaker
Helping teams build trust quickly to accelerate decisions, expand influence, and improve outcomes
In any interaction, people decide within seconds to engage fully — or not.
Drawing on 30 years as a professional comedian and 7x Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, Beth Sherman breaks down how comedians create emotional connection with strangers instantly, and shows how anyone can apply those same principles to build clarity, trust, and momentum in sales, marketing, and leadership.
Faster trust means better outcomes.
You can’t convert until you connect.
Even in an increasingly automated workplace, influence still begins with human connection.
Attention spans aren’t getting any longer. The ability to create connection with other humans quickly isn’t a soft skill — it’s a leadership essential.
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![Heineken logo on green background. Heineken is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
"Brilliant and engaging! Our colleagues went on to use her framework the very next day!"
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![Logo for Natixis corporate and investment banking, speaking client of Beth Sherman]()
"Warm, insightful, human, and funny!"
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![Institute of Practitioners in Advertising logo. The Institute of Practitioners in Advertising is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
“Beth’s talk was an absolute masterclass in using humor to connect and persuade, and her content resonated deeply with our membership of advertising professionals."
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![AND Digital logo. AND Digital is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
"Brilliant to work with from start to finish, and the feedback we received from the event she did with senior leaders was exceptional."
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![The Marketing Society logo. The Marketing Society is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
"A superb speaker, and terrifically relevant for ambitious businesspeople who want to be more effective leaders."
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![IPG Mediabrands logo. IPG Mediabrands is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
“Beth is incredible! I’ll absolutely be recommending her to anyone who asks - and even those who don’t!"
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![Institute of Internal Communication logo. The Institute of Internal Communication is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
"Fantastic! Her talk was one of our most popular and I could hear the laughter from the Green Room. Highly recommend!"
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![Pride in Leadership Conference logo. The Pride in Leadership Conference is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
“Beth challenged conventional thinking while keeping the room laughing, engaged, and motivated.”
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![Great River MBA Conference logo. The Great River MBA Conference is a client of leadership communication speaker Beth Sherman.]()
"Thanks so much! Your session was a high point of the conference!"
For organizations navigating change, uncertainty and AI
Association Conferences
Annual conferences and professional gatherings where members want practical skills they can apply immediately to lead, sell, and adapt in an AI-driven workplace.
Law Firm Retreats & Professional Services Offsites
Law firm retreats, managing partner meetings, and firm strategy sessions where partners and professionals need stronger influence, clearer communication, and faster buy-in amid industry disruption.
Leadership Development Events
Executive retreats, leadership summits, and board meetings where leaders need to build alignment faster, make decisions under pressure, and lead through change back at work.
Sales & Revenue Conferences
Sales kickoffs, revenue conferences, and client-facing events where teams need to earn trust quickly, move deals forward, and strengthen influence in real-world sales conversations.
Trusted by global brands and professional audiences worldwide.
The Ability to Build Trust Quickly Matters More Than Ever
Business moves at the speed of trust. When trust forms quickly, decisions move, alignment strengthens, and outcomes improve. When it doesn’t, conversations stall and momentum is lost.
In a world of constant change and distraction, teams can’t afford slow starts. The speed at which trust forms now determines how effectively people communicate, collaborate, and move work forward.
Building trust and holding attention is not a soft skill. It’s a competitive advantage.
Introducing Rapid Rapport™
Rapid Rapport™ is a practical communication framework for creating genuine connection quickly and intentionally, without scripts or performance.
It draws on the same principles comedians rely on when they have only seconds to engage a room of strangers. In comedy, if rapport doesn’t happen fast, nothing works. In business, the stakes are even higher.
You don’t need to be a performer to build trust from hello. You need clear, repeatable tools for creating human connection in real-world situations.
Beth Sherman and Rapid Rapport™ provide those tools.
Popular Keynotes for Leadership, Sales, Marketing, and Change
One core framework. Four distinct applications.
Rapid Rapport™:
How Comedians Build Trust at Speed
Trust determines whether ideas land and decisions move forward. Beth Sherman shows how comedians build rapport in seconds and how those same principles apply in high-stakes business conversations.
This keynote focuses on reducing friction and increasing influence by creating emotional connection through observation, acknowledgment, and framing.
What Actually Gets People to Listen:
Trust at Speed in Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing both depend on earning trust before asking for action. Beth Sherman shows how the rapid rapport skills comedians use on tough rooms help teams capture attention and reduce resistance.
This keynote offers practical ways to create emotional connection early and increase influence across pitches, presentations, and customer conversations.
Rapid Rapport™ for Leaders:
Building Trust When It Matters Most
In periods of change and uncertainty, leadership success depends on how quickly trust forms. Beth Sherman reveals how comedians establish trust fast and how leaders can apply those principles without sacrificing authority or credibility.
This keynote equips leaders with practical ways to earn buy-in, align teams, and move decisions forward.
When Communication Has to Land:
How Comedians Get and Hold an Audience
This practical keynote shows audiences how to create emotional connection early so presentations lead to action. Drawing on principles comedians use to engage strangers quickly, Beth Sherman breaks down the communication choices that help ideas land.
Attendees leave with clear, usable tools for opening, structuring, and delivering presentations with greater confidence, clarity, and impact.
All keynotes can be paired with a Q&A, fireside chat, masterclass, or workshop.
Not sure if Beth is the right speaker for your event?
Take this 2 minute quiz.
Answer seven (7) simple questions about your event, audience, and desired outcomes to see whether Beth’s topic and approach align with your needs and goals.
No sales pitch. Just a clear recommendation.
About Beth Sherman
Beth Sherman is a leadership communication keynote speaker who helps teams build trust fast, turning early connection into clearer decisions, stronger influence, and better outcomes across organizations.
A 7x Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and veteran comedian, Beth brings a rare, real-world understanding of how rapport forms under pressure and how it can be used intentionally in business settings.
She honed her craft in environments where connection must happen instantly or nothing works, from live comedy stages to writing for global broadcasts and high-stakes events.
Today, Beth translates the skill comedians rely on most — rapid rapport — into a practical communication framework for teams navigating change and complexity. Her keynotes equip audiences to build trust quickly, reduce friction, and create momentum from the very first moments of any interaction.
