Carl Naughton inspires with keynotes on curiosity, adaptability and future courage that spark clear thinking and meaningful progress.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
“Excellent and engaging impulses. Perfectly tailored thanks to in-depth coordination beforehand. He addressed participants’ questions very well. Overall, we achieved our goals.”
Katharina Caspary
Merck KGaA
Dr. Carl Naughton shows how curiosity, adaptable thinking and future courage become real levers for progress in organisations. With more than 20 years of experience as a speaker, researcher and author, he blends psychological insight with vivid storytelling and practical tools. His keynotes open space for fresh perspectives and turn complex ideas into accessible, actionable impulses. Whether curiosity management, adaptability or playful thinking, Carl Naughton delivers clear, energising input that strengthens teams and sparks genuine transformation.
Dr. Carl Naughton stands for impulses, inspiration and mindsets that support organisations on their way into the future. His work shows how curiosity is far more than an optional skill. He positions it as a vital strategy for dealing with complexity and shaping change. When you book Carl Naughton, you bring a speaker on stage who transforms psychological knowledge into tools that unfold impact immediately. His sessions spark clarity, strengthen adaptable thinking and offer a framework for acting with confidence in uncertain times.
As a linguistic psychologist, Dr. Naughton understands how thought patterns emerge and how they can shift. He works with organisations and individuals to overcome blocks that hinder progress, question what has become habitual and gain the courage to explore new paths. This depth, combined with his lively and relatable approach, creates a space where new thinking not only becomes possible but feels natural and motivating. His storytelling, supported by humour and strong imagery, ensures that audiences stay engaged from the first moment.
Curiosity is one of the central forces in his work. Dr. Naughton shows how effective curiosity management unlocks innovative thinking and supports teams in navigating change without losing clarity. Instead of treating curiosity as a loose concept, he presents it as a measurable and trainable capability. This enables teams to ask better questions, spot opportunities early and move through uncertainty with a calm and agile mindset. In environments marked by speed and disruption, curiosity becomes a strategic resource that stabilises and energises.
Adaptability Intelligence (AQ) plays an equally important role. In his book AQ. Warum Anpassungsfähigkeit die wichtigste Zukunftskompetenz ist, he describes why adaptability is essential in a world of constant shifts. He makes the concept tangible by showing how people can stay capable of action, even when the familiar disappears. His keynotes explain how organisations can establish cultures that foster learning, experimentation and mental flexibility. Participants leave with tools that strengthen resilience, clarity and decision-making in dynamic environments.
Future courage is another key theme. Drawing on his book Zukunftsmut, Dr. Naughton encourages a shift in perspective on the unknown. He shows how uncertainty can turn into a space of potential. In his sessions, he helps audiences recognise their own influence, sharpen their inner compass and see new paths rather than threats. Future courage becomes a practical mindset that supports positive action, even in challenging circumstances.
Together with the Zukunftsinstitut, Dr. Naughton created the Playful Business Study – a deep analysis of how playful thinking affects creativity, team dynamics and innovation culture. He illustrates how playful elements relieve cognitive tension, trigger new ideas and strengthen collaboration. In this section of his work, he shares how organisations can introduce playful approaches with purpose and structure. His examples show that playfulness is not about entertainment, but about creating room for creativity and building a mindset that can explore, adapt and innovate.
Whether leadership summit, transformation phase or innovation forum, Dr. Naughton creates keynotes that connect directly with the challenges his clients face. He adapts his content to the specific context and builds bridges between psychological insight and practical action. No standard formulas, but relevant, powerful impulses that inspire and sustain momentum.
Dr. Naughton works closely with clients to ensure his keynotes align with their goals and everyday challenges. With his ability to translate psychological frameworks into practical guidance, he supports teams in rethinking patterns and unlocking new paths. His talks encourage dialogue, spark motivation and provide clarity on how to navigate the unknown with confidence. By booking Carl Naughton, you bring a speaker into your organisation who inspires, challenges and equips teams with tools for sustainable progress.
5 of 5
“Excellent and engaging impulses. Perfectly tailored thanks to in-depth coordination beforehand. He addressed participants’ questions very well. Overall, we achieved our goals.”
Katharina Caspary Merck KGaA
5 of 5
Dr. Carl Naughton delivered a highly engaging keynote filled with humour. He made the topic of curiosity accessible to our diverse teams and left a very positive impression on everyone.
Lena Beha VEGA Grieshaber KG
5 of 5
Very engaging and humorous. He connected extremely well with all participants.
Anja Fehrenbacher VEGA Grieshaber KG
5 of 5
A positive keynote, friendly presence and strong rhetoric.
Ralf Mackensen Optics Network GmbH
5 of 5
A great mix of entertainment and expertise – from lighthearted moments to practical tools that can be applied directly. Dr. Carl Naughton captivated the audience, shared fascinating research insights and showed which levers we can adjust to strengthen our own future courage as well as that of our employees.
Sabina Wyporek Commerzbank AG
5 of 5
Mr. Naughton responded very well to our wishes regarding the keynote topics and guided participants through the morning with great enthusiasm. During the workshop, he impressed with his solid expertise, which he conveyed in a vivid and audience-appropriate way. He was open to all questions and answered them in detail. Overall, the event was a great success and left a lasting positive impression on all participants.
Jan Seeger AOK Niedersachsen
Keynote by Carl Naughton:
Have you ever wondered why curiosity doesn’t just appear on its own at work? Dr. Carl Naughton has the answer and more – his keynotes show how leaders become architects of curiosity. Curiosity is one of the key qualities of the 21st century, yet the inner drive is often missing. In his talk, he identifies the forces that block curiosity and presents the boosters that ignite it. His research shows: curious people achieve more and live longer. With a scientifically tested curiosity assessment, he demonstrates how to spark your own curiosity. Book Dr. Carl Naughton for an inspiring keynote on curiosity management, curiosity blockers and how to make others genuinely curious. Invest in your organisation’s future – ignite curiosity!
Keynote by Carl Naughton:
Do you ever wonder how to find the courage needed for an innovative future? Dr. Carl Naughton has the answer – this keynote shows how organisations can move from thinking better to doing better. Innovative companies face the challenge of thriving in a constantly changing environment. Transformation and innovation are essential, yet they require a balance between curiosity and courage. Dr. Naughton explains how to expand your “courage capital,” because courage is worth more than luck. In this keynote, you learn how workplace courage grows through confidence, self-efficacy and realistic optimism. Experience how future courage solves problems, drives innovation and creates competitive advantages. Invest in these four dimensions of courage and take powerful impulses back to your team – for a successful, future-ready transformation!
Keynote by Carl Naughton:
Do you wonder how to stay strong in a business environment shaped by constant change? Dr. Carl Naughton has the answer – this keynote explains why Adaptability Intelligence is one of the most important future competencies. Innovative organisations must recognise trends and be capable of transforming effectively. Dr. Naughton shows why courage at work is essential to tackle change, admit mistakes and address missteps openly. By investing in Adaptability Intelligence, teams gain the ability to solve problems, drive innovation and secure competitive advantages. Book this keynote and take away practical, confidence-building techniques that strengthen self-efficacy, optimism and clarity – for successful adaptation to the future!
Keynote by Carl Naughton:
Do you also wonder how to make smarter decisions and act with more finesse? In this keynote, Dr. Carl Naughton shows why cleverness is the stronger choice and how it supports both wellbeing and success. In a world where only 3 out of 10 people feel they make truly good decisions at work, cleverness sets new standards. It is measurable, trainable and essential in an agile work environment. Cleverness leads to better decisions and acts as a protective buffer against burnout in the modern world of work. Book Dr. Carl Naughton to strengthen cleverness for yourself, your team and your organisation. Develop practical intelligence, psychological flexibility and self-awareness for smarter decisions and sharper actions in an uncertain environment.
Watch Carl Naughton in action!
Watch Carl Naughton in action!
