Keynoting
Where did the Idea for Spark Your ARRC: Grounded Leadership come from?
My husband and I built our home. The fancy term for that is ‘owner-builders.’ That meant from start to finish we had a saw, hammer, screw driver, paint brush, level, tape measure, crimpers, or a bag of concrete in our hands at all times. As we spent days wiring our house, my mind wandered to the idea of staying grounded - very important in an electrical run - and also very important in life. Staying grounded means you are stable, secure, and trustworthy - you aren’t going to blow a fuse or become a live wire.
After working with thousands of leaders from emerging to seasoned, I saw again and again that better outcomes occur with increased self-awareness, knowing how to manage yourself, and working with, not against, others. Especially during increasing uncertainty. Based on these insights, the concept of Spark Your ARRC emerged.
What we need today is Awareness of
What is in us
Around us
Between us
What is going on in our organizations
With our competitors
On a macrolevel
Next, we need to Regulate so that our nervous systems aren’t overwhelmed with all that is coming at us. We need tools to bring more calm into our lives because ‘calm brains are creative brains.’
Once our brains are calm, we Reinvent, figuring out how to leverage tools in new ways, finding new paths forward based on the research of Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva.
Finally, Connect. A light switch only works when it is connected to the wires in the wall that connect to the electrical box (probably in your basement). Similarly, we are more resilient when we are connected to each other through trust, kindness, and mutual purpose. And when we are more connected to ourselves - our creativity, our empowerment, and our strength, well that’s when the magic happens.
That’s when the sparks fly.
Turn Insight Into Action.
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Sarah’s keynotes are dynamic, research-backed, and refreshingly real. Audiences walk away with actionable insights they can implement immediately—whether it’s tackling tough conversations, preventing burnout, or fostering a workplace where people actually want to show up. With humor, candor, and a deep understanding of human behavior, Sarah delivers more than just motivation; she delivers results.
All of Sarah’s keynote programs are customized to each audience through a pre-event call to learn your organizations goals and what success looks like for you. Sarah does her research on your industry! Each program can be tailored to be delivered virtually, hybrid or in person. Most of these programs can be presented as a keynote, ½ day workshop.
KEYNOTES
Spark Your ARRC: Grounded Leadership
Grounded Leadership is an engaging, practical keynote that helps leaders generate energy without burning out their teams. Using the ARC method — Awareness, Regulate, Reinvent, and Connect — participants learn how leadership energy flows, where it leaks, and how to keep it moving.
Leaders walk away with tangible tools to steady themselves under pressure, read the room, and strengthen connection across their teams. Along the way, we borrow from construction language — measuring impact, building load-bearing structures, and making sure systems are connected so the whole structure holds. Don’t be surprised if we metaphorically (or literally) pull out a measuring tape, a level, or a pair of crimpers to bring these ideas to life!
Key Takeaways:
Strengthen situational, organizational, and self-awareness
Learn reinvention tools to adapt
Practice neurobiologically based strategies to create brain space for your best thinking to emerge
Recharge Your Calm: How to Keep Your Head While Everyone Around You is Losing Theirs
Leaders are the steady force in workplaces facing constant change, conflict, and stress. This keynote equips leaders with the tools to stay calm, think clearly, and make sound decisions—even in high-pressure situations. With rising burnout, employee disengagement, and workplace tensions, teams need leaders who can de-escalate stress and model resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Practical techniques for emotional regulation in high-stress moments
How to maintain clarity and confidence during workplace conflicts
Strategies to prevent burnout and cultivate a culture of resilience
Passion, Purpose, and Paychecks: Recharge Work
Feeling stuck in the daily grind? It’s time to reconnect with what fuels you! This engaging and energizing keynote will help you reignite your passion, find deeper meaning in your work, and boost your motivation—all while reducing stress and frustration.
Best audience: frontline workers
Key Takeaways:
Practical strategies to stay engaged and motivated, even on tough days
Mindset shifts that help you tackle challenges with confidence and clarity
Tools for navigating change without feeling overwhelmed
Ways to boost productivity so you can get more done with less effort
Through humor, real-world examples, and interactive insights, you’ll leave feeling recharged, refocused, and ready to bring your best self to work—because when passion and purpose align, the paycheck feels even better!
Leading with Empathy and Accountability: It Can Be Done
Too often leaders get stuck in an untrue dichotomy: They can hold employees accountable (and be a hardnose) or they can be likeable (but let some things slide). What if this framing wasn’t accurate? Because it isn’t. Our thinking isn’t accurate and our skillset to hold accountability with empathy may be poor. But empathy and accountability actually work really together. Today’s leaders need to build relationships of trust with their employees and be clear about standards, expectations, and goals.
Best audience: Leaders, especially new leaders, those who need a skills refresher, and those supervising former peers
Key Takeaways:
Mindset shifts to remove blocks and identify when your slipping
Tools to use during difficult conversations to stay grounded and emotionally regulated
Scripts to begin leading with both empathy and accountability