Francis Fukuyama
Bestselling Author of The End of History & Stanford Political Scientist
Herminia Ibarra
Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School | Thinkers50 Leadership Award
Herminia Ibarra is one of the world's foremost authorities on leadership development and career reinvention. As Charles Handy Professor at London Business School and a Thinkers50 Leadership Award winner, she shows executives how to act their way into new ways of thinking. Her keynotes combine cutting-edge research with practical tools that help leaders step up, build inclusive cultures, and stay reinvention-ready.
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Herminia Ibarra biography
Leadership speaker Herminia Ibarra is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost authorities on leadership development and career reinvention. She is the Charles Handy Professor of Organisational Behaviour at London Business School, where her research explores how leaders and organizations transform themselves amid constant change. Prior to joining LBS, she served on the faculties of INSEAD and Harvard Business School.
Born in Cuba and educated at Yale University, where she earned her MA and PhD as a National Science Fellow, Ibarra has built a career challenging conventional thinking about how leaders are made. She has been ranked multiple times among the world’s most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 and received its prestigious Leadership Award. She is a Fellow of the British Academy, a member of the World Economic Forum Expert Network, and a judge for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award.
Books That Redefine Leadership and Career Strategy
Ibarra’s books have become modern classics in leadership literature. Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader offers a practical blueprint for stepping up to bigger roles by changing behaviour before mindset. Working Identity provides unconventional strategies for navigating bold career transitions at any stage of life. Her forthcoming book, The Bonus Years, explores how professionals can reinvent their longer working lives. Her Harvard Business Review article “The Leader as Coach” won the Warren Bennis Prize for best leadership article.
Known for her engaging style and evidence-based insights, Ibarra speaks to global audiences about the mindset and behaviour shifts leaders need to drive transformation, build inclusive cultures, and stay reinvention-ready in turbulent times. Drawing on decades of research, real-world case studies, and interactive exercises, she equips executives to experiment with new ways of working, expand their networks, and cultivate the sponsorship relationships that accelerate diverse talent.
As a speaker, Herminia Ibarra challenges audiences to act first and think second — turning insight into immediate, high-impact action. Whether advising a Fortune 500 board or inspiring emerging leaders, she delivers the rare combination of academic depth and practical urgency that drives lasting change.
Herminia Ibarra Speaking Videos
Herminia Ibarra - Identity and transition in professional careers
Herminia Ibarra - Insead’s Global Thought Leaders
Herminia Ibarra Keynote Topics
A hands-on session that overturns traditional 'introspect first' advice. Participants learn to redefine their jobs, expand their stakeholder networks, and experiment with bolder behaviours so they can think — and be seen — as senior leaders long before the promotion arrives. Drawing on the frameworks from Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader, Ibarra shows how small, deliberate acts of leadership create momentum that transforms both identity and impact. This presentation is designed for high-potential executives ready to step beyond their comfort zones and into the roles they aspire to.
Digital disruption, hybrid work, and social change demand a fresh leadership skill-set. Herminia Ibarra distils five critical capabilities — cross-cutting networking, deep collaboration, coaching, culture-shaping, and authentic connection — and shows leaders how to cultivate them to spark innovation and inclusive growth. This keynote examines why traditional leadership competencies are no longer sufficient and provides an evidence-based roadmap for developing the behaviours that drive organizational transformation. Leaders leave with a practical toolkit for adapting their leadership style to the demands of a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Careers now unfold in loops, not ladders — and with working lives extending well beyond traditional retirement age, the ability to reinvent is no longer optional. Drawing on her acclaimed book Working Identity and her forthcoming work The Bonus Years, Ibarra outlines a practical roadmap for exploring new professional selves, testing ideas in low-risk ways, and building the resilience needed to thrive amid uncertainty. This keynote challenges the conventional 'plan and implement' approach to career change, replacing it with an action-first methodology that has helped thousands of professionals navigate bold transitions at every stage of life.
Promotions hinge on more than performance — they depend on powerful advocates. This keynote demystifies the critical difference between sponsorship and mentorship, offers techniques to overcome unconscious 'like-me' bias, and provides a step-by-step approach to forging mutually beneficial ties that accelerate diverse talent. Ibarra draws on her extensive research into how sponsorship relationships form and function to show both sponsors and protégés how to build authentic, high-impact partnerships. The session equips leaders with concrete strategies for creating sponsorship cultures that unlock potential across their organizations.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Herminia Ibarra
Why Herminia Ibarra?
Herminia Ibarra is one of the world's most respected authorities on leadership development and career reinvention, bringing decades of research from Harvard Business School, INSEAD, and London Business School to every keynote. Ranked among the most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50 and honoured with its prestigious Leadership Award, she offers a rare combination of academic rigour and practical urgency. On stage, Ibarra is known for her engaging, evidence-based style that challenges audiences to act their way into new ways of thinking. Her bestselling books Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader and Working Identity are required reading in executive education programs worldwide. Book Herminia Ibarra through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring transformative leadership insights to your next event.
What does 'act like a leader, think like a leader' mean?
Herminia Ibarra's concept challenges the conventional wisdom that leaders must first develop a clear vision and then act on it. Instead, she argues that leadership identity develops through action — by taking on new tasks, engaging with different people, and experimenting with unfamiliar behaviours. Her research shows that when managers step outside their comfort zones and try new ways of working, their thinking and professional identity naturally evolve to match. This 'outsight' approach — learning from the outside in rather than the inside out — is at the heart of her bestselling book and provides a practical framework for anyone looking to step up to a bigger leadership role.
What is Herminia Ibarra's approach to career reinvention?
In her acclaimed book Working Identity, Herminia Ibarra rejects the traditional 'plan and implement' model of career change. Instead, she advocates for an experimental approach: trying on new professional identities through side projects, new networks, and small exploratory steps before making a full commitment. Her research reveals that successful career reinventions follow a messy, nonlinear path rather than a neat strategic plan. With her forthcoming book The Bonus Years, Ibarra extends this thinking to address how professionals can navigate reinvention across increasingly longer working lives, staying relevant, energised, and purposeful through multiple career chapters.
What topics does Herminia Ibarra cover in her keynotes?
Herminia Ibarra's keynotes span leadership development, career reinvention, organisational transformation, and the power of sponsorship. She addresses how leaders can step up to bigger roles, develop the skills needed for digital-era leadership, navigate career transitions at any stage of life, and build sponsorship cultures that accelerate diverse talent. Her presentations are grounded in decades of published research, enriched with real-world case studies, and designed to spark immediate action. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Herminia Ibarra to your next corporate event, leadership summit, or executive development programme.
How to book Herminia Ibarra as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Herminia Ibarra as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Herminia Ibarra's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Herminia Ibarra or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Herminia Ibarra speaking fee?
Herminia Ibarra speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Herminia Ibarra to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Herminia Ibarra.
How can I contact Herminia Ibarra?
We only work with Herminia Ibarra on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Herminia Ibarra and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Herminia Ibarra speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Herminia Ibarra for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Herminia Ibarra for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Herminia Ibarra is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Herminia Ibarra for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
