Kelly Merbler
Kelly Merbler is an award-winning speaker, executive coach, and the founding principal of The Kelly Merbler Company, a leadership consulting firm specializing in strengths-based employee engagement and retention programs, leadership development, and culture building.
Kelly Merbler is an award-winning speaker, executive coach, and the founding principal of The Kelly Merbler Company, a leadership consulting firm specializing in strengths-based employee engagement and retention programs, leadership development, and culture building.
Kelly believes everyone has the ability to be an inspired and transformational leader who empowers others to rise to their greatest potential. She sparks organizations, leaders, and teams to find their passion and purpose by operating in their strengths, leading to more fulfilling personal and professional lives.
Twenty-one years as a regional executive with a global staffing organization taught Kelly that the secret to success is not just hiring the right talent but activating that talent by identifying what people do best and aligning them in the right role for maximum impact.
Following the loss of her mother to dementia in 2014, Kelly discovered her passion for helping others discover their purpose when she attended a leadership conference where her now-mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, was the keynote speaker. Since then, she has become a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and faculty member for Maxwell Leadership.
Kelly’s client list includes UKG, Memorial Healthcare System, Texas Payroll Association, Waste Management, The Ritz-Carlton, Converse, ChenMed, and HR Florida, among many others.
Kelly received her undergraduate degree in Business and Corporate Communications from the University of Central Florida.
CRACKING THE CULTURE CODE: UNLOCK POTENTIAL, INSPIRE PURPOSE, FUEL ENGAGEMENT
As a leader, you don’t just build the culture; you are the culture. Hold on to the talented leaders shaping the future of your organization.
Creating a high-performance culture is the gateway to attracting and retaining the best talent leading to maximum profits.
Creating a culture that attracts and retains the very best talent is attainable, but you must have the right ingredients to begin.
In this energetic keynote, Kelly will introduce the key ingredients necessary to create a culture where employees are highly engaged, inspired, and carrying your company’s mission forward through purpose.
There simply isn’t a magic solution available to create a productive organizational structure. However, Kelly’s guidance will help to establish a sustainable plan for substantive change within your organization and a direct positive impact on your organization’s bottom line.
In this presentation, participants will learn:
- How your organization’s culture impacts your ability to attract, develop, retain, and satisfy the right employees, customers, and partners — and, in turn, your ultimate profitability
- Critical steps to build unity within your culture so that employees feel connected and recognized for the value they bring.
- A case study: how in two years, a top-performing employee went from highly engaged to not engaged and how you can spot the signs of disengagement within your culture.
- Practical tips to keep culture connected in a hybrid World
FINDERS KEEPERS: WINNING THE TALENT CHALLENGE
“It’s not just about talent acquisition; it’s about talent activation.” – Kelly Merbler
While the unemployment rate fell to its lowest point in more than 50 years, employee engagement has followed that same downward trend.
There have been huge movements of talented people, referred to as the great resignation and quiet quitting, as workers reassessed the impact of work and what they want to get out of their lives.
This has placed pressure on organizations to ensure they are providing attractive career opportunities, the flexibility of hybrid work in many cases, and an enticing work environment and company culture.
Offering people fulfilling work, ongoing opportunities to grow and learn, flexibility, and diverse, value-oriented workplaces will all be essential in 2023 and beyond.
In this interactive presentation, participants will learn:
- Proven strategies for building a high-performing culture through the lens of humanity, fostering a culture of engagement.
- How your organization’s culture impacts your ability to attract, develop, retain, and satisfy the right employees, customers, and partners — and, in turn, achieve your profitability targets.
- A case study: how in two years, a top-performing employee went from highly engaged to not engaged and how you can spot the signs of disengagement within your culture.
- Practical tips to keep employees connected in a hybrid world.
FIRE THE INNER BOSS: UNLEASH THE BRILLIANCE OF YOUR FRONT-LINE LEADERS
“When we focus on our front line, it impacts the bottom line.”– Kelly Merbler
Developing your front-line leaders into leaders whom others want to follow is critical to ensuring maximum engagement, retention, and revenue.
The reality is that company expectations are rising, but most managers aren’t prepared to meet them and all their demands.
Many organizations make the error of promoting for tenure - not talent. Management is not leadership.
When you develop front-line leaders, it impacts the bottom line and increases the capacity of your organization.
Kelly’s 21-year career in staffing uniquely qualifies her to address the issue of front-line leader development. She uses real-world examples of standing in the trenches with leadership teams and provides an action plan to ensure attendees transition from boss to coach, ignite engagement, and multiply the leaders within your organization.
In this presentation, participants will learn:
- The 4 key needs all followers require from leadership and how to apply these skills.
- How to become a coaching leader to drive business performance through connection.
- How to spark unity within your culture so employees feel heard, connected, and recognized for the value they bring.
- How to increase leadership communication that sparks engagement and aligns with values.
BURNT OUT TO FIRED UP! BUILD A CULTURE THAT SPARKS GREATNESS
According to Gallup research, only 30% of the American workforce go to work each day feeling engaged in their jobs. The other 70% are not using their talents to do the job they are being paid to do. And this is costing businesses millions of dollars and wasting countless hours.
It is time for managers to learn how to move from boss to coach so they can engage the workforce of today.
In this keynote, Kelly will share how you can use a strengths-based approach to improve employee engagement and performance and transform your workplace culture.
In the war for talent, it is not about talent acquisition, but talent activation.
In this keynote participants will learn:
- Why 70% of the workforce is disengaged.
- What the current needs of the incoming workforce are.
- Where most managers are missing a huge opportunity to engage their teams.
- Tips to lead a multigenerational workforce.
- How to go from performance management to performance leadership.
- How to build unity within the culture so that employees feel valued and heard.
- To build a culture that promotes collaboration and inspires greatness others
EMPOW-HER YOURSELF
When women join forces, incredible things happen.
Understanding your strengths and how to apply them in a professional and personal context can help women become the best version of
themselves. An inclusive culture embraces women and gives them what they need to come to work feeling confident, inspired, and celebrated for the value they bring so they can focus on driving the mission, vision, and values with purpose.
According to The Gallup Organization, women in the U.S., more so than men, believe that the mission or purpose of their company makes them feel their job is important.
Leaders must establish a culture that communicates and conveys those attributes. An inclusive work culture embraces women and gives them what they need to come to work feeling empowered with confidence, passion, and enthusiasm.
“66% of female employees believe it is “very important” to find a job that allows them to do what they do best.” — Gallup
In this keynote participants can expect:
- Online Gallup assessment and an individualized profile customized to your strengths
- A fast-paced, engaging, empowering, and fun program run by a Gallup-certified expert facilitator who is also a WOMAN!
- To feel empowered and learn what you do best.
In this keynote participants will learn:
- The tools necessary to bring your best in the workplace and in life
- Discover the unique gifts that you bring to the world
- Learn and understand how you are only 1 in 33 million
Kelly came onsite for our Annual All Employee Meeting, and employees are still talking about it! As it was our first meeting truly being all together since COVID-19, Kelly really brought a great energy that not only got our team excited about the season ahead of us, but they left there feeling positive, good about themselves, and good about their role within Sailfish Point and their importance to the organization. The format was excellent. It really felt like everyone was having a one-on-one conversation with Kelly; they were not just being talked at. I highly recommend Kelly for team speaking engagements and also plan on reaching out to her for leadership development programs for our management team.
Kelly was a great motivator during our employee season kick-off event, and our staff was extremely thankful and engaged. We recommend Kelly for your next motivational event. We were able to launch our core values, mission, and vision in an educational, motivational, and encouraging way. Thank you, Kelly!
For the first time in 36 years of business, Boca Woods Country Club rallied its entire staff for a day of education and Cultural renewal. The Club was blessed to have Kelly Merbler partner as our Key-Note speaker. Kelly demonstrated a deep insight into the Club industry and reached our team, at every level, with a passionate deep dive into what makes a culture special. She helped bring months of strategic planning in the development of vision, mission, guiding principles, and values statements to life! Would strongly recommend her support for future team development projects… a true champion of the servant leader philosophy, and that every voice matters!
“The first word that comes to mind when I think of Kelly is AWESOME. Kelly goes above and beyond in everything that she does, and that was apparent during her keynote presentation. She explained the inner workings of her company and leadership perfectly. In doing so, she truly inspired the students to reach their full potential. Following the presentation, many students shared virtual thank-you notes for Kelly. One of the notes read, "You have helped me realize that there are times when I need to put myself first and learn to love myself more. Thank you for coming. You are such an inspiration!" Kelly's presentation was engaging and truly inspiring. Thank you so much, Kelly! You played an integral part in making our Global Entrepreneurship Week a huge success.”
Kelly Merbler is an outstanding, truth-telling leader! As a keynote speaker our annual HR Summit, Kelly challenged 100+ HR professionals to find their WHY. To reconnect to mission and define purpose, both professional and personal. What an incredible day! Months later, we are still reflecting and putting into action all pearls of wisdom shared by Kelly. She is an authentic & inspirational leader! Thank you Kelly.
Kelly spoke at the HR Florida Leadership Conference in 2022. She connected with her audience and spoke directly to their most pressing challenges. Her enthusiasm ignited a passion in our volunteer chapter leaders and sent them out with a commitment to be their best.
For the first time in 36 years of business, Boca Woods Country Club rallied its entire staff for a day of education and Cultural renewal. The Club was blessed to have Kelly Merbler partner as our Key-Note speaker. Kelly demonstrated a deep insight into the Club industry and reached our team, at every level, with a passionate deep dive into what makes a culture special. She helped bring months of strategic planning in the development of vision, mission, guiding principles and values statements to life! Would strongly recommend her support for future team development projects… a true champion of the servant leader philosophy, and that every voice matters!
"Kelly was an inspiration to all at our annual leadership conference and brought such high energy to her keynote. Everyone was in awww."
"It is my pleasure to recommend Kelly Merbler since she is an amazing speaker, leader, and coach. Her enthusiasm is completely contagious. She acts as a courageous pioneer - setting an example for all of us on how to do what you love and love what you do."
"Impactful keynote message that connected with the audience and brought a standing ovation. From beginning to end, Kelly was compelled to get it right. She wasn't compelled for her own recognition; she was compelled to get it right for the most impact on the audience. It really mattered to her that she was able to give the audience something of meaning and she did."
"I recently retainer Kelly Merbler to work with me to enhance my team's leadership development. She delivered by administering The John Maxwell Leadership Game during a half-day presentation. In short, it was one of the most impactful team building exercises I have ever attended. Kelly is skilled in engaging teams, providing personalized information in a helpful manner, and in delivering team leaders with the specific direction for improvement opportunities. My team members came away from the experience with a whole new level of confidence. As a result of Kelly's training, our team is looking forward to the new challenging season ahead as we manage through the pandemic. I highly recommend Kelly as a keynote speaker and leadership consultant."
"Kelly is a passionate, dynamic speaker who brings energy and inspiration to every interaction with her clients. Recently I was fortunate to have Kelly speak at my advisory board of directors meeting, and she did a fantastic job sharing key insights on leading yourself and others through challenging times. Put simply, she was the right person and the right time to share that message. I would strong recommend Kelly to anyone looking for a corporate speaker."
"This year we were fortunate enough to have Kelly as one of our keynote speakers for our 2021 annual conference. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting Kelly, I highly encourage you to do so. You can feel Kelly's energy when she enters the room, and our conference attendees loved her keynote "Unleash Your Passion and Entrepreneurial Spirit." Kelly is passionate about lifting up those around her and building leaders out of everyone she meets."
The Florida Association of Colleges and Employers (FloridaACE) had the pleasure of having Kelly serve as the opening keynote speaker for our 2022 Annual Conference. Kelly did an outstanding job and addressed all of the points that we wanted her to touch upon. She was able to pose thoughtful questions to the group and also able to relate her background to our attendees. I was truly inspired and motivated and felt energized for the rest of our conference. She was able to use our conference theme as well throughout the presentation which was fantastic. I would highly recommend Kelly as a keynote speaker or Clifton Strengths Facilitator as she will continue to excel in her work!
Kelly was our "virtual" keynote speaker at a WM inclusion, equity, and diversity event in February 2022. Her presentation, "The Power Within," was absolutely spot-on with our focus on professional development! We received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from our employees and it was very clear that her presentation resonated very well with them. She tailored her presentation to fit exactly the focus of our group. I wholeheartedly recommend Kelly Merbler to any organization looking for a dynamic, relatable, personable speaker that will energize your group!
I recently participated with colleagues in a full-day session that Kelly led. She was able to achieve the desired outcomes and results of the day while simultaneously creating a very memorable experience for each participant. From the beginning of the session, Kelly skillfully connected with each person in the room. I then watched as she navigated through the room dynamics and conversations without losing focus of the desired end result. I like to think about leaders in terms of "head, heart, and hands". Do they connect with my head in terms of facts, logic, data, and reason. Do they connect with my heart in terms of emotion, inspiration, motivation, and passion. Do they connect with my hands in terms of practical tools, guidance, and application. I found Kelly to be one of the rare leaders who excels in all three areas. I would strongly recommend Kelly for any organization or team. She will add value and produce results...always.
Kelly recently presented as a Keynote Speaker for Palm Beach County SHRM at our Annual Conference. Not only is Kelly an amazing speaker, she's an amazing individual. Her inspirational leadership on passion and purpose was unforgettable. Our members attending Conference provided overwhelmingly positive feedback and Kelly's presentation on "Unleashing your Entrepreneurial Spirit", reinforced our theme. If you have the opportunity to engage Kelly as a keynote speaker, do it soon. Kelly has talent and she's building a great tribe of followers. She's headed for fame!
She lit up the room! I was in the room for Kelly's keynote "From Burnt Out to Fired Up" at the 2022 annual New York State SHRM annual conference and it did not disappoint. We needed someone who could inspire 400 Human Resources leaders and give them a great experience and also great takeaways for their organizations. Her passion to connect with the audience and deliver a message that needed to be heard was brilliant. You can feel her passion and how much she cares in her delivery, and she has the ability to tap into our emotions. If you are looking for a keynote speaker who will listen to your needs and inspire your audience, I highly recommend Kelly Merbler. -Jeanne Stewart
It was my great pleasure to be in attendance when Kelly was the Keynote Speaker at an internal gathering of caregivers with Alzheimer's Community Care. I had not met Kelly previously and I'm glad I had the opportunity that day. Her thoughtful, heartfelt, and completely engaging approach also contained a relevant personal family experience captured my (and the room's) full attention, while genuinely connecting on an emotional level. The next time one of my clients has a need for a featured speaker, Kelly will certainly be right at the top of my list to recommend.