Speaking & workshops

Provocative ideas. Practical tools. Transformational conversations.

If you're looking to inspire your CEO forum, executive offsite, leadership conference or industry summit, Richard delivers a distinctive and powerful message that leaves high-performing leaders thinking differently—and acting boldly.

He’s spoken at leadership summits on Necker Island, global industry conferences, and private sessions for CEO forums around the world. He's even been known to release his "inner Freddie Mercury!"

Whether you're planning a high-stakes boardroom gathering or a 1,000-person stage, Richard brings a rare mix of strategy, soul, and humour that lands.

Featured Topic

The 10X Reckoning

You’ve already built something most people never will.
But behind the success, there’s a sense of friction:

👉 Maybe you’re still too deep in the weeds—everything depends on you.
👉 Maybe your team just isn’t keeping up with the vision you’re holding.
👉 Or maybe you’ve delayed your next bold move—because it still feels too risky or too costly.

Whatever the story—one truth remains:

You’re not moving at the speed or scale you know is possible.

And deep down, you know: You’re still playing it safer than you want to admit.

The 10X Reckoning Experience is a high-stakes wake-up call for elite leaders.

You’ll:
🔍 Expose the hidden constraints slowing you down or keeping you small
🔁 Name the shift between the leader you are today and who your next chapter demands
🚀 Clarify your boldest path forward—toward a future that actually excites you

This is a ‘moment of truth’ for elite leaders who refuse to be trapped by their own success.
And the beginning of everything that comes next.

Other featured talks

These keynote and workshop topics are regularly delivered for executive teams, forums, and events around the world. Each one is interactive, energising, and tailored to the audience.

Making TIME For Strategy: How to be less busy and more successful

Unlock your strategic potential and reclaim your time.

If you're like most leaders, you’re pulled into far too many operational issues, leaving you stuck in the weeds and unable to focus on the bigger picture. Imagine walking away with the tools to free yourself from the operational prison you’ve built—creating an extra 10 hours per week for deep strategic thinking.

In this insightful session, based on proven frameworks used by the world’s top CEOs and Richard's book of the same title, you'll:

  • Learn the two ways leaders manage their time—and why the most popular approach keeps you permanently overloaded.
  • Discover the 4 powerful shifts that will help you focus on what truly matters and operate more strategically.
  • Walk away with 3 immediate actions to increase momentum on your most strategic projects.

This is your opportunity to finally break free from busyness and focus on the work that really matters to your business—and your legacy.

Your Dream Executive Team: How to take it from good to great

Elevate your executive team to the next level and free yourself for greater things.

Your executive team should be your greatest asset—but chances are, they’re bogged down in operations and not performing at the level you need them to. Imagine what would be possible if your senior leadership team were aligned, firing on all cylinders, and pushing your business forward while you focus on what only you can do.

In this powerful session, based on proven success with CEOs from start-ups to billion-dollar companies, we’ll:

  • Use our Team Dynamics model to identify your team’s unique ‘stagnation loop’ and quickly move past it.
  • Explore the 4 phase approach that prevents your progress from stalling, and create a roadmap for sustainable success over the next six months.
  • Build your first Dream Team Scorecard to track progress and agree on the immediate next steps that will drive your team forward.

If you’re ready to turn your senior team into your greatest lever for success, this will show you the way forward.

Why book Richard?

  • Leadership strategist & confidante to elite CEOs: Advises founders and CEOs of $20M–$2B+ businesses across multiple sectors
  • Proven thought leadership: Author of Making TIME for Strategy and The 10X Reckoning
  • Global experience: Speaker at Necker Island, CEO forums, private wealth conferences and international industry events—as well as private events for leadership teams globally
  • Transformation, not just information: Richard doesn’t just share frameworks—he shifts how leaders see themselves and what they believe is possible.

Practical Details for Event Organisers (click to expand)

Popular formats:

  • 15–90 minute keynotes (inspiring, provocative, and packed with tools)
  • Interactive half- or full-day workshops
  • Fireside chats or roundtable provocations
  • Private advisory sessions with select leader

Ideal audiences:

  • Founders and CEOs (post-product market fit to industry leadership)
  • Executive teams scaling fast and navigating complexity
  • Leadership retreats and off-sites for high-stakes reflection
  • Private equity portfolio leaders under pressure to perform and evolve

Session outcomes may include:

  • Clarity on the leadership identity needed for their next level
  • Practical tools to raise team standards and drive accountability
  • Frameworks to escape operational gravity and prioritise what matters most
  • A visceral sense of urgency—and renewed energy—for playing a bigger game

Event requirements:

  • Minimal tech (slides optional)
  • Flat stage or in-the-round layout preferred for interactivity
  • Richard typically arrives early to engage with participants beforehand

Next steps:

  • Want to check availability or talk through your event?
  • Please contact us using the bottom below, or reach out via email.

We've been featured on some of the world's top podcasts

Awesome at Your Job Podcast
Leaders of transformation richard medcalf
Corporate Thought Podcast - Marc Marling I have a saying
How to Build Commitment in Your Remote Team by Richard Medcalf
How to Accelerate and Multiply Your Impact by Richard Medcalf
Strategic Leadership by Richard Medcalf
Think like a CEO by Richard Medcalf
Unlabeled Leadership
The Leadership Hacker
Integrate & Ignite
Breakfast Leadership Show
The Remote CEO Show
Conscious Millionaire Podcast
Vibrant Culture Podcast

Appreciation from past participants

Spark self-reflection

I love Richard's ability to find the right angle of attack to spark self-reflection on my role as manager. He made me sit up and take action!

Bernard Lamy

Commercial Director

Sharp and insightful - a really good use of time

I find the sessions that Richard runs to be very benenficial in that they allow you to get perspective on your own thinking and approach through discussions with a group of your peers. I enjoyed the exercises and the quick insights from others with great experience. The sessions are sharp and insightful - a really good use of time. 

Michel Robert

CEO

Ideal format, with proven leaders

It was a great forum with a very representative audience, expertly guided by Richard. It was exciting to exchange thoughts with such a diverse group of proven leaders, and I believe the format of the meeting was ideal.

Alex Shevchenko

CEO

Helped me get some altitude and sharpened my vision

The session really helped me get some altitude, spot new opportunities and sharpened my vision. I've come away ready to address two specific areas where I've been really holding back.

Angela Philp

Executive Leadership Coach

Eye-opening

Thanks for the presentation. It was an eye-opener for me. I've identified 3 actions that need my immediate attention.

Timothy Kamombo

Finance Director

Made me feel less alone in my own role

The workshop was a fantastic way to meet other CEOs and hear what they are wrestling with. It definitely made me feel less alone in my own role.

Brad Flowers

CEO

Enjoyed the open discussion

I enjoyed the open discussion between CEOs; it was good to hear different perspectives and also recognise common challenges and experiences.

Nick Hale

CEO

Best presentation

Richard delivered simply the best presentation of the day.

ALEX D.

DIRECTOR

Really good material

Really good material. You helped me nail down some really practical next steps!

Delegate

Well structured

Really well structured with very practical examples.

MARTIN D.

COUNTRY MANAGER

Thought-provoking

Very thought-provoking, memorable and engaging.

James Atack

CTO

Time well spent

The best hour I've spent this entire year!

Delegate

Fantastic & amazing

Thanks again Richard for a fantastic session which has received amazing feedback.

Dan Wells

CEO

I was forced to think beyond my comfort zone

It was a very stimulating session, where I was forced to think beyond my comfort zone and discover new ideas. The format of the engagement was itself a great takeaway. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this.

Abhishek Rungta

Founder & CEO

A total supercharge!

The workshop was wonderful. It has absolutely led to a quantum shift in my direction. An incredibly valuable session: a total supercharge. Amazing!

Davina Stanley

Founder

Openness and honesty

Clear and structured, Richard brings an openness and honesty which really engaged me and helped me to apply the key messages.

TOBIAS N.

COO

CEOs at the top of their game

The event came at a very busy time so it was quite a commitment for me, but I am glad to have joined. I genuinely enjoyed meeting strangers who were obviously at the top of their game. It felt safe enough to be open about business challenges and to share useful insights.

John Argent

Founder and CEO

Rich & memorable session

The workshop brought together interesting fellow CEOs in a convivial atmosphere to address a fresh topic. It was a rich and memorable session.

Mark Griffiths

Managing Director

Thought provoking and challenging

Richard pushed us beyond the here and now to a more far-reaching future. The workshop was thought provoking and challenging, and I really benefitted from the diverse experiences of the other CEOs.

Andy Morris

CEO

Clear and impactful content

The workshop was excellent - our CEO group found the strategic thinking exercises and structured time for discussion to be really valuable.  Richard's facilitation kept everyone engaged, and the clear and impactful content made it a great experience.

Vince Tickel

Chair

Clarity to design the future

I became aware of Richard through his book Making Time for Strategy which really spoke to me and where I am in my business journey. When I got the opportunity to join him with a small group of like minded individuals at The Reckoning Experience, I knew I needed to make time to attend and it did not disappoint. In just a short space of time, I came away with some clarity of thought on the shifts that I need to make to design the future I want, not settle for the default!

Liz Syms

CEO

Insightful reflections and new perspectives

The Reckoning Experience was incredibly beneficial as it provided an opportunity to reflect and review my current situation with like-minded individuals. The discussions were insightful and helped me gain new perspectives on our challenges and opportunities.

Joanne Goodall

Founder

A quick exercise break for your CEO brain

A quick exercise break for your CEO brain. I came away with one specific new angle that I’m actively looking into.

Christopher Traggio

CEO

Richard really challenged us!

We had a wonderful session with Richard today where he really challenged us to articulate and embrace our best selves and highest purpose to deeply enrich our lives.

Simon Mainwaring

Founder/CEO

Helped me be a better leader

Richard demonstrated the value of being able to think without constraints and how that takes a personal and company vision to a whole new level. An excellent exercise in the value of what I need to BE in order to become the best leader I can.

Hugo Fry

CEO

Insightful

Very insightful - on both a personal and team level.

IAN G.

DIVISIONAL HEAD

Helpful & informative

Thanks for a fascinating session that was very helpful and informative.

Delegate

Richard's Bio

Richard Medcalf
Founder

Richard Medcalf describes himself as "what you’d get if you put a McKinsey consultant, a slightly unorthodox pastor, and Freddie Mercury into a blender."

As the founder of Xquadrant, Richard is the trusted advisor to elite CEOs and entrepreneurs facing The 10X Reckoning—the moment they realise they’re stuck in their current success, playing too small, or moving too slow on their vision.

His 1:1 clients include billion-dollar CEOs, tech unicorn founders, an Entrepreneur of the Year, and an Olympic medallist—leaders determined to break out of incremental progress and create their life’s greatest work.

Richard has spent 25 years advising the C-Suite. He was the youngest-ever Partner at a top strategy consultancy, before spending 11 years at Cisco in an elite team reporting to the CEO. He holds a Masters from Oxford University, where he graduated top of his year.

He is the author of Making TIME for Strategy and the upcoming The 10X Reckoning, and the creator of The Crucible, a private ecosystem where visionary entrepreneurs and execs redefine their leadership, multiply their impact, and transform their industries.

Bi-national English/French, he lives near Paris with his wife and two children. He’s a licensed lay minister, a lover of spicy food, and a die-hard electric guitar enthusiast.

Featured Clients

Media appearances

Richard has been featured on some of the world's top podcasts. Hover to see the episode title, and click to listen

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