Shay McConnon

Book Shay McConnon for your event

Shay McConnon specialises in the human side of organisational performance, helping leaders and teams understand the behaviours and relationships that shape the way people experience work.

His keynotes turn psychological insights into straightforward strategies audiences can use in everyday workplace situations. From improving communication and collaboration to strengthening leadership and employee engagement, Shay focuses on changes that can make a tangible difference to how people work together.

Rather than relying on abstract theories, he creates interactive experiences that encourage audiences to reflect on their own behaviours and identify practical opportunities for positive change.

Workplace culture that works

At the heart of Shay's work is a belief that workplace culture is created through everyday interactions. How people communicate, respond to challenges, handle differences and support one another all influence whether teams thrive.

This thinking led Shay to create An Even Better Place to Work, an award-winning programme designed to strengthen collaboration, trust and motivation within teams. The programme has been implemented by organisations including the NHS, Environment Agency, Siemens, BAE Systems and Emirates.

By making culture tangible, Shay helps organisations move beyond broad aspirations and focus on the behaviours that can create meaningful improvements in the employee experience.

Leadership & engagement

Shay helps leaders understand the influence their everyday actions can have on motivation, relationships and team performance. His approach equips managers with accessible ways to strengthen their leadership while encouraging greater ownership and engagement across their teams.

His presentations address themes including:

• Building trust and stronger working relationships
• Improving communication across teams
• Increasing employee engagement and motivation
• Creating collaborative, high-performing teams
• Resolving conflict constructively
• Developing effective leadership behaviours

Audiences gain a clearer understanding of the psychology behind these challenges alongside approaches they can incorporate into conversations, meetings and day-to-day leadership.

Humour, psychology & magic

Shay's presentation style sets him apart. His keynotes are highly interactive, using humour and storytelling to involve audiences and make important ideas easier to remember.

As a member of the Magic Circle, Shay also brings magic into his presentations in a way that supports the learning rather than simply providing entertainment. He uses it to illustrate ideas around human behaviour, perception and communication, creating moments that reinforce key messages.

The result is an energetic experience that keeps audiences engaged while giving them fresh perspectives on how they interact with the people around them.

Author & international speaker

A Fellow of the Professional Speakers Association, Shay has worked with organisations around the world, bringing his insights on leadership, communication and workplace relationships to diverse audiences.

He is also the author of several books on leadership, communication and personal development, including Resolving Conflict, Presenting with Power and An Even Better Place to Work. His writing reflects the same accessible philosophy that underpins his speaking: translating psychological principles into approaches people can put into practice.

Why choose Shay McConnon as a speaker?

Shay offers organisations a combination of workplace expertise and an unconventional presentation style. His understanding of psychology and organisational behaviour gives substance to his keynotes, while humour, audience participation, storytelling and magic make the experience engaging and memorable.

Whether the goal is to strengthen leadership, improve collaboration, increase engagement or build a healthier workplace culture, Shay gives audiences practical ways to make positive changes in how they work with others and ultimately create an even better place to work.