Insightful. Entertaining. Actionable.

Don’t book another forgettable event. As a keynote speaker, author of Pause, and Partner at The Wiseman Group, Shawn Vanderhoven has spent years working with and studying how top leaders get brilliant work in world's most demanding organizations. Whether he's in front of 20 executives or 1,000 managers, audiences leave with something rare: strategies they'll actually use on Monday morning.

What companies are saying

“We needed a presentation that was interesting, relevant, and practical. He nailed it on all three counts.” 

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“Shawn’s session was inspiring, engaging, actionable. 10 out of 10!”

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“Shawn’s ability to get to the root of things made a massive impact.”

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“Shawn is one of the best speakers we’ve had. GREAT content; LOVED the session!”

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“We keep having him back because he keeps knocking it out of the park!”

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“He’s funny, engaging, inspiring. What else could you ask for?”

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Keynote: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World

60-90 Minutes

Don't just attend another forgettable leadership talk—experience a transformative session that introduces the principles of Pause to revolutionize how your team focuses on what matters most. Led by Pause author and keynote speaker Shawn Vanderhoven, this is the talk for any leader navigating an environment where the pressure to go faster and do more is pushing their team toward burnout.

Why Pause Keynote?

  • It’s engaging, actionable, and practical.

  • Your people will leave recharged and equipped with easy-to-use insights.

  • Think of the session as an inspring skill building workshop. We are partnering with you to develop your leaders.

  • Each session is customized to reinforce your leadership framework, principles, and values.

  • It works for small groups, think boardroom, to audiences of 1,000+

  • Can be delivered for your virtual or in-person event

See Shawn in Action

Custom Built for Your Audience

Your audience doesn't need another keynote. They need an experience that changes how they lead.

That's why every session is built around your specific situation — your challenges, your priorities, your people. When we design together, we'll explore three things:

1. What problems are we solving for?

Together we’ll pinpoint the specific obstacles your managers face—the ones they complain about in the hallways but rarely solve.

2. What priorities do we need to support?

Every story and example will connect directly to your current business priorities so the session feels like internal strategy, not outside entertainment.

3. What new leadership practices do we want to see?

Your managers will leave equipped with micro-behaviors they can test the very next morning (without requiring a personality transplant).

FAQS