Anthony McLean

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• Culture, Wellness, and Inclusion: The Pillars of Workplace Belonging

  Imagine a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported, where diversity and mental wellness are not just initiatives but integral parts of the culture.

  In this presentation, Anthony McLean delves into the foundational element that bridges these two vital areas: workplace culture. Discover why a culture that values inclusion is essential for leveraging diversity, and how collective wellness habits can significantly improve workplace performance.

  McLean will share practical strategies for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, helping organizations create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, this keynote will equip you with the tools to build a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Discover actionable insights for both personal self-care and collective wellness habits.
  • Learn how to approach mental health and diversity through the lens of empathy.
  • Understand why self-awareness is critical for successful wellness and inclusion initiatives.

• Fire Up Your Mental Health!

  How can we regain our enthusiasm, recapture our joy, and get the pep back in our step at work and at home? Mental health encompasses more than just dealing with stress; it’s about maintaining high energy levels, clear thinking, and a joyful approach to each day.

  In this upbeat and inspiring presentation, Anthony McLean provides practical tools to boost energy, enhance creativity, and infuse daily routines with enthusiasm and purpose. Discover the secrets to optimizing your mental well-being and transforming your life.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Discover healthy coping strategies to manage stress and enhance resilience.
  • Understand the vital role of exercise, sleep, hydration, and nutrition in overall wellness.
  • Develop a supportive mental health routine to maintain peak performance and joy.

• Diversity: The Secret Power Behind High Performing Teams

  Diverse teams are two times more likely to meet financial targets, three times more likely to be high-performing, and six times more likely to be innovative and agile. Diversity is a competitive advantage! But barriers to career advancement have limited underrepresented communities in significant ways.

  In this lively and interactive presentation, Anthony McLean challenges participants to think critically about unconscious bias, microaggressions, and other hindrances to creating an inclusive workplace culture. Finally, he offers actionable strategies to hire, promote, and protect under-represented people and groups within our organizations.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Learn how to move from being “non-racist” to becoming “anti-racist”.
  • Understand the difference between “cancel culture” and “accountability”.
  • Harness the power of being an ally in your circle of influence.

• Microaggressions and Their Impact on Mental Health

  Microaggressions are often compared to paper cuts — seemingly small, but painful when they accumulate. In this dynamic talk, Anthony McLean unpacks the hidden harm of microaggressions in the workplace, encouraging participants to approach these situations with positive intent.

  Rather than focusing on “cancel culture,” this session emphasizes building a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone is called to a higher level of communication. Through engaging stories and practical strategies, McLean explores how small acts of exclusion affect employee mental health, performance, and sense of belonging.

  Audiences will walk away with the tools to foster self-awareness, support inclusive interactions, and build a positive workplace culture where everyone feels valued.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Recognize and address common microaggressions to create a more inclusive workplace.
  • Understand the cumulative impact of “subtle acts of exclusion” on mental health and performance.
  • Learn actionable ways to respond as a target, bystander, or when you’ve inadvertently caused a microaggression.

• Lead with Story: Transform the Way You Motivate and Inspire

  Information is cheap. Attention is expensive. Stories cut through the clutter. From sales pitches to team meetings, storytelling transcends mere data and engages our emotions, making us feel connected and inspired.

  In this captivating presentation, professional screenwriter and author Anthony McLean reveals how storytelling can transform the way you lead and communicate. He’ll share practical insights to help audiences unlock the power of storytelling in every facet of their communication journey. From understanding story structure to infusing emotion and empathy, discover how storytelling can elevate your message and leave a lasting impact.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Learn how to make dull information exciting by infusing it with the power of storytelling.
  • Learn Anthony’s “No S.W.E.A.T.” framework to tell any story in a captivating way.
  • Understand the essential do’s and don’ts of effective storytelling.

• In Celebration of Educators

  This is an encouraging, morale-boosting talk to inspire educators who give their best every day. Teachers and administrators are often overwhelmed and sometimes feel burnt out by the end of the week. It’s easy to forget that the daily interactions we have with students are sometimes the most valuable moments of our day.

  In this laugh-out-loud presentation, Anthony McLean tells funny and inspiring stories about the teachers and administrators who changed his life by acknowledging his effort, encouraging his strengths, and pushing him to give his best. Every educator needs this reminder — the reward for not giving up on our students is the ability to make a difference and change the world one student at a time.

• Black History: Then and Now

  This is an inspiring Black History Month presentation that surveys where we were and where we’re going when it comes to racial equity. In looking at where we were, Anthony McLean celebrates civil rights pioneers like Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Martin Luther King Jr. (USA), and Viola Desmond (Canada). In looking at where we are, McLean shares the powerful story of marching peacefully with thousands of others in the wake of the George Floyd protest. Lastly, in looking at where we’re going, McLean encourages participants to be allies to the Black community in creating a world where everyone belongs. This is an upbeat and uplifting presentation that celebrates the progress we’ve made while encouraging the audience to continue the journey toward racial equity.