Garrison Wynn

  • Influence Expert
  • Renowned Motivational Keynote Speaker
  • Best-Selling Author of The Cowbell Principle

With talents that established him as a Fortune 500 leader and professional stand-up comedian, Garrison Wynn, CSP, fuses comic timing and research to deliver motivational business expertise. For 20 years, he has given keynote presentations to clients (such as American Express, Wells Fargo, Oracle and NASA) at corporate and association events. He is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Real Truth about Success, the Amazon #1 bestseller The Cowbell Principle, has been a weekly contributor to the Washington Post and featured Forbes and Inc. Magazines. In his teens he debuted the world’s first video gaming system (Odyssey) with baseball legend Hank Aaron and as a young man spent 6 years touring comedy clubs with the top names in the business. He went on to become the youngest department head in a Fortune 500 company’s history where he researched and designed processes for 38 company locations nationwide and developed & marketed products still being sold in 30 countries.

Known for his ability to connect with any audience, Garrison delivers powerful, original content built on breakthrough research that he customizes with specifics from your industry. His gruntwork-to-great background from ditch digging (we’re not kidding!) to executive leadership, with sales, marketing, safety, manufacturing, and show biz in between means that no industry or work experience is beyond Garrison’s ability to identify with or apply insight to. He can reach the CEO and the janitor in the same audience with a consistent, relevant message. He personalizes programs to give audiences the relational and behavioral insights they’ll need if they want to influence and succeed.

 

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Past Hosts Include:
  • The Royal Bank of Scotland
  • Sysco
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Caterpillar
  • Oracle
  • Department of Defense
  • Mass Mutual
  • American Express
  • Boys & Girls Club of America
  • PPG
Rave Reviews About Garrison Wynn
Garrison was everything we asked for and more. Not only did he engage and energize the crowd; he got a standing ovation and connected with them on their level. He delivered a laughter-filled keynote address with a powerful message. I loved the way he spoke to every meaningful objective and brought new material that was relevant to the event. Fantastic! Couldn't be happier!

Highlights - Motivational Speaker Garrison Wynn [8:19] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Garrison Wynn
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The Real Truth About Success: What The Most Influential Do Differently And Why They Won't Tell You

Prepare to laugh and learn as a decade of Wynn Solutions research reveals what makes owners and managers of top-performing businesses so effective – and it's not what you'd expect! If you enter this keynote session expecting to learn all about best practices and superior strategy, you'd better read ...

Prepare to laugh and learn as a decade of Wynn Solutions research reveals what makes owners and managers of top-performing businesses so effective – and it's not what you'd expect! If you enter this keynote session expecting to learn all about best practices and superior strategy, you'd better read the title again. Standout success in a challenging economy often comes from personal advantage, whether it's perceived value, personality, leadership-style, communication skills, abundant resources, or access to privileged information. This entertaining session takes a realistic look at the influence you'll need to make sure your knowledge and hard work deliver the results you want.

In Demand: How To Make Sure People See Your Value

It doesn't matter how skilled you are or how much value you offer if no one wants what you have. Leadership, change management, sales, customer service, marketing, and safety all have one thing in common: they require a specific level of personal influence to be sustainably successful. This customiz ...

It doesn't matter how skilled you are or how much value you offer if no one wants what you have. Leadership, change management, sales, customer service, marketing, and safety all have one thing in common: they require a specific level of personal influence to be sustainably successful. This customized keynote session combines humorous storytelling with serious takeaways that will bring all the elements of your conference together for maximum impact.

Dissolving Conflicts: Separating The Data From The Drama

Success is almost always about working well with others to get the best possible result. The issue is not everyone agrees on what's important, and it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction. Also, some people are so set-in-their-ways that they see everything through a filter of distrust. Or ...

Success is almost always about working well with others to get the best possible result. The issue is not everyone agrees on what's important, and it becomes difficult to separate fact from fiction. Also, some people are so set-in-their-ways that they see everything through a filter of distrust. Or worse, things get overly dramatic and can develop into a "blame distribution" environment that affects morale and productivity.

This entertaining research-based session shows you how to gain agreement without manipulation and create clear, unified actions so you can quickly dissolve conflicts.You'll find out how to make sure people value your opinion and quickly turn disputes into workable collaborations.

Making The Most Of Difficult Situations: Changing Markets, Changing Times

This funny, insightful keynote combines relationship building with no-fluff motivation and change to deliver real solutions in uncertain times. Garrison examines the challenges we face and shows how we can laugh at our problems while using them as catalysts for success. This session covers a lot of ...

This funny, insightful keynote combines relationship building with no-fluff motivation and change to deliver real solutions in uncertain times. Garrison examines the challenges we face and shows how we can laugh at our problems while using them as catalysts for success. This session covers a lot of ground and provides no-cost, easily implemented, proven solutions that your people can use right away.

  • Easily Customized Segments Include
  • New people, new products and new approach
  • Dealing with new leadership direction
  • How to get "buy-in" on change quickly
  • Nobody wants to be a "senior beginner"
  • Embracing mergers and acquisitions
  • Dealing with the resistance to change
  • Technology changes and procedural shifts
  • Change makes us better?
  • Action and adaptability creates opportunity

Available in MotivationalSales and Management versions.

Value-Based Leadership: Making Employee Engagement Actually Happen

We hear the term "employee engagement" a lot these days; we also hear how recognition, goal alignment and a clear path to success can create it. But how can an individual positively influence the opinions his or her employees and coworkers have about their job? This highly entertaining session, back ...

We hear the term "employee engagement" a lot these days; we also hear how recognition, goal alignment and a clear path to success can create it. But how can an individual positively influence the opinions his or her employees and coworkers have about their job? This highly entertaining session, backed by Evolve Performance Group research across 46 countries (and combined with over 70 years of Gallup survey data) shows that the thing people value most is feeling valuable! It gives the specific communication tools that anyone can use to dramatically reduce resistance to change, difficult behavior and employee turnover. The impact of this program reaches far beyond the session itself, creating an emotional shift that fuels immediate implementation.

The Real Truth About Generational Differences

When relating to younger crowds, people love to say “I was young once.” The truth is, “No, you weren’t!”—at least not in a way that compares with today’s youth. You were young whenever that was, which is not now. And younger workers, you might occasionally hear about your attitude of entitlement, as ...

When relating to younger crowds, people love to say “I was young once.” The truth is, “No, you weren’t!”—at least not in a way that compares with today’s youth. You were young whenever that was, which is not now. And younger workers, you might occasionally hear about your attitude of entitlement, as though you somehow did this to yourself!

Despite the friction that can arise when generations misunderstand each other, intergenerational teams are simply better at getting the job done. Grounded in behavioral research, this entertaining session reveals how and why this is so.

Segments include:

(1) real tolerance (true acceptance), (2) understanding each generation’s peculiarities and (3) how each generation’s contributions heighten a team’s success factor. A multigenerational audience will be amused, enlightened and, best of all, equipped with solutions that make an immediate positive impact. Available in leadership and team versions.

Finders Keepers: How to identify, attract, and retain a loyal workforce.

From developing a marketing campaign to attract the people you need, to making sure they have a culture that makes them feel valued, this thoroughly researched program (Gallup, Harvard Review and Evolve Performance Group) gives you the tools to solve your labor problem and consistently improve emplo ...

From developing a marketing campaign to attract the people you need, to making sure they have a culture that makes them feel valued, this thoroughly researched program (Gallup, Harvard Review and Evolve Performance Group) gives you the tools to solve your labor problem and consistently improve employee performance.

Segments include:

  • The 3 reasons why Gen Y doesn't want to work for you and what you can do about it.
  • How to quickly develop and maintain a culture that keeps and attracts top talent.
  • Getting people to choose your organization when the competition can afford to offer higher pay.
  • Making sure the employees you want to attract know you exist and branding your organization as a great place to work.
  • How to create a social media and advertising campaign that shows why your company is a good fit for the people you want.

Engaged Safety: What The Most Successful Safety Leaders Do Differently

We hear the term “employee engagement” a lot these days. We also hear how recognition, goal alignment and a clear path to success can create it. But how can engagement produce a sustainable culture of safety as we strive for zero incidents? By leaders making their employees the "heroes" of safety.   ...

We hear the term “employee engagement” a lot these days. We also hear how recognition, goal alignment and a clear path to success can create it. But how can engagement produce a sustainable culture of safety as we strive for zero incidents? By leaders making their employees the "heroes" of safety.  

Drawing from Gallup research across 46 countries (research shows that engaged employees are 48% safer on the job than their disengaged counterparts), this highly informative and entertaining session reveals how skilled leaders at all levels create safety: They give employees what they value most—the feeling that they are valued. From this session, leaders acquire specific communication tools they can use to dramatically reduce resistance to change and to create a safer work environment. The impact of this program reaches far beyond the session itself, creating an emotional shift that fuels immediate implementation.

What The Most Influential Leaders Do Differently

This insightful keynote session delivers the specific actions that attract, create and retain top talent. Based on new research about the origins of outstanding performance and laced with Garrison’s trademark professional-grade humor - this program is high on content and low on boredom. ...

This insightful keynote session delivers the specific actions that attract, create and retain top talent. Based on new research about the origins of outstanding performance and laced with Garrison’s trademark professional-grade humor - this program is high on content and low on boredom.

Millennial Loyalty: Keeping And Attracting Top Young Talent

People in their 20s don't want what their parents wanted from a job. They are also more likely to live at home and less likely to put up with a work environment that cramps their style. What a shift in mindset! Attracting the young people needed to replace your retiring workforce (and making sure th ...

People in their 20s don't want what their parents wanted from a job. They are also more likely to live at home and less likely to put up with a work environment that cramps their style. What a shift in mindset! Attracting the young people needed to replace your retiring workforce (and making sure they stay long enough to make a difference) is crucial for your organization's future. This entertaining yet heavily researched program shows business owners, leaders and managers how to adapt their organization into a company young people want to work for and how to establish a culture they do not want to leave. Besides actually having a work force 10 years from now, the benefits include improved performance and heightened accountability from the millennials who represent your company's future.

Inclusion + Tolerance = Success : Creating A Diverse Culture That Drives Performance

Having a culture that includes and supports all people is more than just a moral obligation. It is a critical and commonly overlooked ingredient for success. An alloy is stronger and has more applications than something made of just one material, and research shows the same is true for high-performa ...

Having a culture that includes and supports all people is more than just a moral obligation. It is a critical and commonly overlooked ingredient for success. An alloy is stronger and has more applications than something made of just one material, and research shows the same is true for high-performance teams. This entertaining session (heavily supported by research from Gallup, MIT and Rutgers) shows that tolerance leads to awareness and understanding that creates long-term value. From attracting top young talent with a culture they'll support to fostering the diversity of thought that is the foundation of creativity, this high-energy program is a great kickoff keynote or closing session for your Inclusion and Diversity Conference.

Winning The Talent War: Keeping and Attracting Young Top Performers

People in their 20s don't want what their parents wanted from a job. Also,  many Gen Y "potential employees" would rather work temporary jobs (through staffing companies) than commit to a company full time. This means there are far fewer people looking for jobs than anticipated. That means more jobs ...

People in their 20s don't want what their parents wanted from a job. Also,  many Gen Y "potential employees" would rather work temporary jobs (through staffing companies) than commit to a company full time. This means there are far fewer people looking for jobs than anticipated. That means more jobs than job seekers (for the first time since this kind of data has been gathered) creating a "War" for top young talent. And they are not lining up for labor jobs (where you might get your hands dirty} even though they pay four times more than the job they took at the mall! They are also more likely to live at home and less likely to put up with a work environment that cramps their style. Attracting the young people needed to replace your retiring workforce (and making sure they stay long enough to make a difference) is crucial for your organization's future.

This entertaining yet heavily researched program shows business owners, leaders and managers how to adapt their organization into a company young people want to work for and how to establish a culture they do not want to leave. Besides actually having a work force 10 years from now, the benefits include improved performance and heightened accountability from the millennials who 

The Real Truth About Success - Version 2: What The Top 1% Do Differently And Why They Won't Tell You

Be prepared to laugh and learn as this research-based keynote reveals how top performers harness the power of their advantages, even when the odds are not in their favor. Business relationship expert and Amazon.com bestselling author Garrison Wynn delivers a high-impact program that answers two monu ...


Be prepared to laugh and learn as this research-based keynote reveals how top performers harness the power of their advantages, even when the odds are not in their favor. Business relationship expert and Amazon.com bestselling author Garrison Wynn delivers a high-impact program that answers two monumental questions: How do you get people to do what you want them to do? And how can you get better results from the challenging people you encounter along the way? With an emphasis on what you can actually walk out of the session with and achieve tomorrow; this program shows you how to weather the perfect storm while still looking really good in a raincoat!

Available in motivation, leadership, customer service and sales versions.

Change Is Mandatory...Stress Is Optional

Change is something we all have to deal with, but the stress that accompanies change is more of choice. In this heavily researched session, Garrison applies his signature humor to a very serious topic. This fun, comprehensive program offers tools and tips for getting through big change with very lit ...

Change is something we all have to deal with, but the stress that accompanies change is more of choice. In this heavily researched session, Garrison applies his signature humor to a very serious topic. This fun, comprehensive program offers tools and tips for getting through big change with very little stress. More importantly, it creates an emotional shift for attendees as they see how much control they have over how change affects them. This session also shows attendees how stress is more about what we believe than it is about what is actually happening. From embracing big transitions in technology to dealing with growth or downsizing, this presentation helps leaders, employees and customers implement necessary changes with minimal resistance.  

Being The Best Vs. Being Consistently Chosen

Success is more than being good at what you do; it's about being consistently chosen to do it. Garrison helps people to understand why their products, services or leadership styles or those of their competitors are selected. People don't necessarily choose what's best; they choose what they are most ...

Success is more than being good at what you do; it's about being consistently chosen to do it. Garrison helps people to understand why their products, services or leadership styles or those of their competitors are selected. People don't necessarily choose what's best; they choose what they are most comfortable with, whether it's the best or not. We've all heard the importance of best practices and superior knowledge, so why aren't the smartest people with the most information always in charge or number one in their field? This keynote provides original research on managing expectations and emotions and shows there really is more to success than being the best.

Available in SalesLeadership and Customer Service versions.  

Getting Great Results: Turning Talent Into Performance

In this keynote, results from the largest management survey ever conducted are combined with real-life management and leadership solutions to get the most from your people, regardless of their skill level. Participants learn how to manage their ego-driven top producers, how to listen like leaders an ...

In this keynote, results from the largest management survey ever conducted are combined with real-life management and leadership solutions to get the most from your people, regardless of their skill level. Participants learn how to manage their ego-driven top producers, how to listen like leaders and make their people feel heard, how to hire for talent and turn it into top performance, how to create a culture of excellence with their most promising people and how to help their low performers fight their way to the middle.

Available in Leadership and Management versions.

Generations Working Better Together

This extremely informative, entertaining, solutions-based session explores why younger and older people don't see eye to eye, and what to do about it in the workplace. From pointers on motivating, managing and retaining younger employees to ways of preventing older managers from losing their minds, ...

This extremely informative, entertaining, solutions-based session explores why younger and older people don't see eye to eye, and what to do about it in the workplace. From pointers on motivating, managing and retaining younger employees to ways of preventing older managers from losing their minds, this research-based program shows it's possible for baby boomers and Gen X and Y employees to work well together.

Influencing People You Have No Authority Over

A great idea rarely wins out on its own merit. Sound, well-structured logic regularly loses out to mediocre ideas from people who really know how to influence. This enlightening, research-based session delves into the human condition, revealing that the true key to influence is not intelligence or l ...

A great idea rarely wins out on its own merit. Sound, well-structured logic regularly loses out to mediocre ideas from people who really know how to influence. This enlightening, research-based session delves into the human condition, revealing that the true key to influence is not intelligence or logic, but an understanding of what people really value. Through a collaborative toolkit, this program delivers the tips and strategies you need to make people see the value of your ideas so you're well positioned to gain agreement.

Program segments include:

  • Developing strategic advocates and create your own personal "influence upward" plan
  • How to get people to agree with you
  • Why some people disagree with everything, and what you can do about it
  • How to get people to listen to your ideas
  • Managing your boss: How to help your supervisor make your job easier
  • How to gain more influence from any position in your organization
  • Reading between the lines: Learning how to adjust your approach
  • How to hold people more accountable on projects without conflict
  • How to make sure your input is seen as consistently valuable to others
  • Creating a repeatable process for agreement: Making the tools work well
  • Gaining an understanding of what people really value and how that impacts agreement

Influence In Action: How To Consistently Hold People Accountable

Great ideas are rarely good enough to get people to take action.  Sound, well-structured logic regularly loses out to mediocre ideas from leaders who really know how to influence. This high-impact, research-based session focuses on revealing the true key to accountability: not intelligence or strate ...

Great ideas are rarely good enough to get people to take action.  Sound, well-structured logic regularly loses out to mediocre ideas from leaders who really know how to influence. This high-impact, research-based session focuses on revealing the true key to accountability: not intelligence or strategy, but an understanding of what makes people feel valuable.  In this entertaining, interactive and sometimes brutally honest session, Garrison shows executives how to create a culture of accountability, even among employees at different performance levels. You'll learn how to push your average and low performers to reach a higher level and how to hold ego-driven top performers accountable without causing them (or you) to lose the will to live.

Influencing Safety

Whether you are trying to reduce your number of recordables or prevent a good safety record from creating complacency, this entertaining, customized session is more than just a safe bet. It will get your people laughing, learning and motivated to create a culture of safety while maintaining producti ...

Whether you are trying to reduce your number of recordables or prevent a good safety record from creating complacency, this entertaining, customized session is more than just a safe bet. It will get your people laughing, learning and motivated to create a culture of safety while maintaining productivity. This program focuses on developing the personal influence to make things stick, whether you're helping leaders move change through their locations or getting workers to look out for each other on the job site. Garrison is authentic - a guy who's been there. He's a chemical plant explosion survivor who has developed environmental safety products still in use worldwide. He expertly fuses his experiences into key takeaways such as how to build the trust and relationships that make consistent safety a reality. He delivers those takeaways using a humorous approach that will have a serious impact on your event.

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Books by Garrison Wynn
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Biography

With talents that established him as a Fortune 500 leader and professional stand-up comedian, Garrison Wynn, CSP, fuses comic timing and research to deliver motivational business expertise. For 20 years, he has given keynote presentations to clients (such as American Express, Wells Fargo, Oracle and NASA) at corporate and association events. He is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Real Truth about Success, the Amazon #1 bestseller The Cowbell Principle, has been a weekly contributor to the Washington Post and featured Forbes and Inc. Magazines. In his teens he debuted the world’s first video gaming system (Odyssey) with baseball legend Hank Aaron and as a young man spent 6 years touring comedy clubs with the top names in the business. He went on to become the youngest department head in a Fortune 500 company’s history where he researched and designed processes for 38 company locations nationwide and developed & marketed products still being sold in 30 countries.