Mimi Nicklin is a globally recognised empathy advocate and keynote speaker helping leaders build stronger teams through emotional intelligence and human connection.
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Top rated!Mimi Nicklin is an internationally recognised keynote speaker, bestselling author and one of the world's most prominent advocates for empathy and emotional intelligence in business. She helps leaders balance human connection with commercial performance in the age of AI. Having reached 5 million people and trained over 45,000 professionals, Mimi combines neuroscience-informed insights with practical leadership strategies. Through her powerful message, AI + HI = ROI, she demonstrates how empathy, listening and emotional intelligence strengthen employee engagement, build more connected organisations and drive sustainable business success.
Empathy is rising. So is Mimi Nicklin.
As an internationally recognised emotional intelligence keynote speaker, bestselling author and global empathy advocate, Mimi Nicklin is changing the conversation around leadership, human connection and business performance. Her message challenges organisations to rethink how they lead, communicate and collaborate in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Mimi believes that the future of successful business depends on our ability to balance humanism with capitalism. While technology continues to transform how organisations operate, the need for empathy, emotional intelligence and meaningful human relationships has never been greater.
Her approach connects the science of human behaviour with the realities of modern business, giving leaders practical tools to create workplaces where people feel heard, valued and motivated to contribute.
Today's organisations face a growing human connection crisis. Leaders feel disconnected from their teams, younger generations struggle with engagement, workplace belonging is declining, and loneliness has reached unprecedented levels.
With Gallup data showing that just 23% of employees are engaged at work, Mimi Nicklin highlights the urgent need for a different approach to leadership.
She describes this challenge as the $9 trillion global empathy gap, representing the enormous impact that disconnection, disengagement and poor communication have on organisational performance.
Through her keynotes and leadership programmes, Mimi explores how empathy can become a practical business advantage. She demonstrates how stronger human connections can improve employee retention, collaboration, workplace culture and long-term performance.
Rather than treating empathy as a soft skill, Mimi positions it as a critical leadership capability that directly influences how organisations perform, innovate and grow.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, Mimi Nicklin offers a powerful equation for modern business: AI + HI = ROI.
Her philosophy is built on the understanding that artificial intelligence delivers its greatest value when combined with human intelligence, emotional awareness and meaningful social connection.
Drawing on neuroscience and practical leadership experience, Mimi helps organisations understand why listening, empathy and emotional intelligence are increasingly important in an AI-driven world.
At the centre of her work is Listening Led Leadership™, an approach that encourages leaders to build stronger relationships through intentional listening, understanding and communication.
She also introduces her A.L.U.R. framework, which supports the practical application of human skills and social connection in professional environments.
Her presentations equip audiences to:
Strengthen emotional intelligence and empathy in everyday leadership.
Improve employee engagement, collaboration and workplace belonging.
Build stronger relationships through listening-led communication.
Balance technological advancement with human-centred leadership.
Create organisational cultures that support retention, trust and performance.
Mimi makes complex neuroscience and behavioural insights accessible, relevant and immediately applicable to the challenges organisations face today.
Mimi Nicklin's work has reached audiences across industries, cultures and continents. In the past year alone, she has delivered presentations in 25 countries, establishing herself as a sought-after international voice on empathy, leadership and emotional intelligence.
Her speaking engagements range from large-scale conferences and executive leadership events to interactive masterclasses and experiential dialogue sessions.
Recent highlights include addressing 4,500 HR professionals, delivering masterclasses for more than 500 Shell leaders across three cities and speaking to 500 hospitality leaders at HSMAI.
She has also facilitated an experiential dialogue session with Conscious Capitalism leaders in New York and delivered opening keynotes in Florida, Dubai, Prague, Hanoi, Singapore, India and Sri Lanka.
Throughout her career, Mimi has reached more than 5 million people and trained over 45,000 professionals. Her corporate audiences and clients include Shell, Standard Chartered, SAP, SHRM, Capgemini and Unilever.
Her international experience also extends to working with governments in Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Maldives and the European Union.
Mimi has shared stages with influential global figures, including Bill Gates, Steven Bartlett and Steve Wozniak, bringing her perspective on human connection to conversations about business, technology and the future of work.
Beyond the stage, Mimi Nicklin is a bestselling author of four books and the founder of The Empathy Letters, a global movement dedicated to reconnecting people through empathy and listening.
Her work reflects a commitment to making empathy a meaningful part of how people live, lead and interact with one another.
Through her writing, speaking engagements and educational programmes, Mimi encourages individuals and organisations to recognise the importance of being heard, understanding different perspectives and creating authentic connections.
Her mission is particularly relevant as workplaces navigate generational differences, technological transformation and changing expectations around leadership.
By combining compelling storytelling with neuroscience-informed insights, Mimi makes the case that empathy is essential to healthier relationships, stronger communities and more successful organisations.
Book Mimi Nicklin for a keynote, leadership programme or masterclass that challenges conventional thinking about emotional intelligence and the future of business.
Whether speaking to senior executives, HR professionals, entrepreneurs or large international conference audiences, Mimi delivers an engaging combination of practical insights, human stories and thought-provoking perspectives.
Her presentations address some of the most pressing questions facing organisations today: How can leaders reconnect with disengaged employees? How can businesses strengthen belonging and collaboration? And how can organisations embrace artificial intelligence without losing the human connection that drives performance?
With extensive international speaking experience and a clear understanding of the relationship between empathy and commercial success, Mimi offers audiences a fresh perspective on what effective leadership looks like.
Book Mimi Nicklin to inspire a more connected, emotionally intelligent and high-performing workplace, where human connection and business success go hand in hand.
5 of 5
“Your session was the only session I listened to from the beginning to the end. It was inspiring.”
Commercial Credit and FinanceSri Lanka
5 of 5
“This session was remarkable and refined my understanding of today’s leadership. I’m now seeing empathy as data and a vital tool for success.”
Stellantis, Global
5 of 5
“You were fantastic, Mimi. I gained so much from your sharing that I had to introduce myself. Keep inspiring!”
CelcomDigiAsia
5 of 5
“Changed our team forever.”
DP WorldUAE
5 of 5
“My favourite session at NHCCE was Mimi’s talk on The Empathy Algorithm. It was powerful: empathy is non-negotiable in the AI era. ‘AI isn’t role displacement but role diagnosis.’ Thank you, Mimi.”
HRD CorpMalaysia
5 of 5
“Mimi Nicklin was a real standout, setting the tone with her talk on today’s empathy deficit and disconnection.”
PLCSri Lanka
5 of 5
“Thank you for one of the most inspiring and important sessions this year. Leading with empathy not only feels right but also boosts productivity, decision-making, and performance.”
Majid Al FuttaimUAE
5 of 5
“Mimi was our guest speaker at our Mumbai event and she swept us off our feet. Mimi’s ability to speak from both personal experience and practical insight created a genuine connection with the audience. What stood out most was how she made empathy feel actionable, not abstract. Whether she was speaking about listening without judgment or creating space for others to feel seen and heard, her message was clear: empathy drives trust, collaboration, and real change. Mimi isn’t just talking about empathy, she is living it.”
PSAI Chapter LeaderMumbai
5 of 5
“It is amazing to listen to Mimi. No one can look away. Her presentation and Masterclass were outstanding and extremely insightful. Our audiences couldn’t stop talking about them. True impact.”
The Customer ShowAustralia
5 of 5
“Mimi Nicklin and Michael Jackson have something in common. Both can say ‘We Are The World.’”
PROBIZEU Procurement Festival, Europe
5 of 5
“We’ve been running sessions for over 2 years and no one has received a perfect score across 8 countries before.”
Grey Group, WPP
5 of 5
“Mimi is deeply passionate about her message. She’s genuinely invested in shifting management styles and workplace cultures - to put human centric values BEFORE profits and KPIs. And when you listen to her deliver a keynote - it all makes sense. Mimi delivered a keynote and workshop sessions at our annual conference - she’s an impressive powerhouse that we’d recommend to anyone.”
Colosseum Dental GroupUnited Kingdom
5 of 5
“Mimi Nicklin was a real standout, setting the tone with her talk on today’s empathy deficit and disconnection.”
PLC, Sri Lanka
5 of 5
“Your keynote was the most impactful parts of our entire regional EMEA event.”
Daikin, Belgium
5 of 5
“This is our fourth time working with Mimi. Such powerful content. Every organization should have access to this.”
Capgemini India
5 of 5
“Mimi, you opened our eyes to something that was always there and we never saw. This will change the way we work going forward.”
Emirates, UAE
5 of 5
“Thank you for the incredible session you led! We truly loved your energy and the way you brought empathy to life in such a powerful and relatable way!”
Shell, APAC
5 of 5
“Last week was Global Learning Week at Standard Chartered, and it was insightful hearing what Mimi Nicklin had to say. Empathy isn’t a soft skill. It’s a hard, human skill essential for the future of work. Mimi’s insights will help leaders become better colleagues, co-workers, and humans.”
Standard Chartered, APAC
5 of 5
“Mimi Nicklin’s transformative workshop on empathy was truly enlightening. Her authentic passion showed that empathy isn’t just a soft skill, it’s essential and can be strengthened. Wisdom in action.”
Standard Chartered, Global
5 of 5
“Mimi is in a complete league of her own. She is exceptional in terms of her preparation and unrivaled in her delivery. Her ability to connect with her audience comes from her unique ability to be 100% authentic on stage.”
Association of Business Psychology, Gulf
5 of 5
“Mimi is in a complete league of her own.”
Association of Business Psychology, Gulf
5 of 5
“Mimi is a powerhouse keynote speaker and a genuine force for empathy. At our Annual conference in Riyadh, her dynamics session captivated the audience, leaving them inspired and deeply moved by her profound insights. Her authenticity and passion create lasting change wherever she speaks.”
SHRM, Gulf
5 of 5
“Mimi’s thought-provoking insights and engaging writing style, as a columnist, have broadened the horizons of our readers. Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her ability to spark meaningful dialogue, leaves a lasting impact every time. We are incredibly grateful for her ongoing contributions.”
Anura SiriwardenaEditor-in-Chief, Global CEO Magazine
5 of 5
“For any organization aiming to build awareness, empathy, and engagement, Mimi is the speaker you need especially in healthcare and service industries where human connection matters most. If you want someone to spark meaningful conversations and inspire real change, look no further. Mimi doesn’t just talk empathy, she lives it.”
Mathew PollizzottoHR and Operations Executive
5 of 5
“Passion best describes Mimi and her work. With a professional background that bridges business, science, and humanity, she shows why empathy is essential. She believes a more empathetic world is a better world and to do so, but even more practically, the world is better with more Mimi in it. Empathy will follow.”
Miguel OliveiraHead of Opportunity & Belonging, Danone North America
5 of 5
“Mimi empathizes the power of authentic connections, urging us to move beyond surface-level interactions to deeper bonds. Inspired by her, I’m now using empathy more actively to connect with colleagues, partners, family, and friends — and this simple shift has transformed my relationships.”
Piotr ZalewskiGlobal Supplier Account Manager, Philips Poland
5 of 5
“A chance meeting on stage in Kuala Lumpur led to one of the best coffee chats I have ever had. Mimi was so good at cutting through the fog of my situation I practically insisted she become my coach.”
Euan SmithGroup CEO, Astro
5 of 5
“Mimi is an absolute rockstar in the world of leadership and empathy coaching. On every occasion, Mimi has left the audience mesmerised with her content, her energy and her ability to connect with everyone present.”
Shyamal VallabhjeeExecutive Leadership Coach, Indian Soccer Team
5 of 5
“Mimi is INCREDIBLE — the epitome of a modern leader with high IQ and even higher EQ, blending creativity, commercial acumen, and purpose. Long before empathy became a corporate buzzword, she was living it. I highly recommend her as a host, speaker, facilitator — she’s competent, inspiring, educational, and above all, an amazing human.”
Alasdair Hall-JonesGlobal Director, The Marketing Society
5 of 5
“Working with Mimi is like holding a golden ticket. Her deep industry knowledge, people insight, and inspiring strategies are unmatched. Few deliver at her consistently high standard.”
Marc WatsonCCO, South Africa
5 of 5
“I feel so happy we were able to offer our banking colleagues this experience with you, it was the best session we have ever experienced - at least in the 15 years I have been here.”
Rukshi SeneviratneGroup HR Director, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka
5 of 5
“Mimi is an absolute joy to work with and I want to work with her over and over again! I like to call Mimi the Empathy Queen, as she really does know what ticks when it comes to Empathy - and Empathy Everywhere, which is exactly what the world needs.”
Claire DargueGlobal Employee Wellbeing Changemaker
5 of 5
“Mimi Nicklin’s insights on empathy as a driver of sustainable high performance are powerful. The biggest takeaway: empathy isn’t compassion, it’s perspective-taking, a vital human skill for the future of all work.”
Bill WintersGlobal Group Chief Executive
5 of 5
“Mimi went above and beyond in her role as an MC for our regional event, not only understanding our vision, but in representing who we are as a company. She promoted the event through her own network to help raise awareness which we were extremely grateful for. Not only is Mimi extremely professional, passionate and hardworking, but she engages the audience uniquely.”
Hayley Clements,GM PRCA MENA
5 of 5
Mimi's inimitable energy delivered a hugely valuable message to our team that taught us how to improve organizational performance while still managing our personal and professional relationships. I 1,000% recommend her, and we can’t wait to work with her again."
Céline Gauthier-DarnisFounder, Dynadmic
Keynote by Mimi Nicklin:
The Human Skills AI Can't Compete With
A compelling data driven keynote helping leaders and entrepreneurs understand why listening, influence and connection are today's most critical strategic capabilities. Drawing on research and her work with leaders and communities across 30+ markets, Mimi makes the commercial case for human intelligence and shows why the age of AI demands stronger human skills than ever before.
YOUR AUDIENCE WILL
IDEAL FOR
Entrepreneur events. Leadership conferences, executive offsites, HR and people summits, and AI and future of work events.
Keynote by Mimi Nicklin:
The New Rules for Leadership, Influence and Success
Your people are disengaged. Your customers are walking away. Your leaders are running on empty. This is a connection crisis, and it is costing you every day. Drawing on her forthcoming book, The Connection Prescription, Mimi hands your audience the cure. Leadership, influence and success start with how you connect. This keynote shows them exactly how.
YOUR AUDIENCE WILL
Discover why connection drives performance for people and for business
Explore the new rules of influence in a busy, automated world
Leave with practical tools, from bestseller '40 Ways To Connect With People', to use the next morning
Commit to connection as a daily practice
IDEAL FOR
Association events. Leadership and entrepreneur conferences, client facing and sales teams, and culture and engagement programmes.
Keynote by Mimi Nicklin:
The Entrepreneur's Secret to Winning in the AI Era
Every feed is full. Every inbox is flooded. Every competitor has AI. So why would anyone choose you? Mimi shows entrepreneurs what makes people pay attention, trust a vision, follow and keep coming back. Influence begins when people feel heard. Earn that, and you build a business people stay loyal to for years.
YOUR AUDIENCE WILL
Understand why influence begins when people feel listened to
Move from invisibility to influence by mastering Listening-Led Leadership and empathetic engagement on and offline.
Build a personal brand, social influence and lasting loyalty with customers, teams and communities
Leave with practical tools, from bestseller '40 Ways To Connect With People', to use the next morning
IDEAL FOR
Founder and entrepreneur summits, content creator events, business owner networks, accelerators and women in business events. Personal branding summits.
Keynote by Mimi Nicklin:
Why Empathy Is the New Currency
Disconnection is costing your organisation every day, and it shows up on your balance sheet. Only 23% of employees are engaged at work (Gallup). Performance is stalling. Talent is walking out the door. Gen Z remains disconnected. 52% people are lonely. Mimi puts a number on it: a $9 trillion global empathy gap. Then she hands your leaders the human tools to close it, from the inside out.
YOUR AUDIENCE WILL
Unpack the real commercial cost of disconnection on performance, retention and collaboration.
Understand why High Stress + Low Time = No Empathy, and how to break the cycle
Learn Listening Led Leadership™ as a practical way of leading teams
Leave with practical tools, from bestseller '40 Ways To Connect With People', to use the next morning
IDEAL FOR
Boards and executive teams, HR and CHRO conferences, and industry and government summits.
Watch Mimi Nicklin in action!
Watch Mimi Nicklin in action!
Watch Mimi Nicklin in action!
Watch Mimi Nicklin in action!
