Tommy Spaulding is president of the Spaulding Companies Corporation, a national leadership development, speaking, training, consulting, and executive coaching organization. A world-renowned speaker on leadership, Spaulding has spoken to hundreds of organizations, associations, educational institutions, and corporations around the globe. His first book, It’s Not Just Who You Know (Transform Your Life and Your Organization by Turning Colleagues and Contacts into Lasting, Genuine Relationships), published by Random House in 2010, is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestseller.
Spaulding rose to become the youngest president and CEO of the world-renowned leadership organization, Up with People (2005-2008). In 2000, Tommy Spaulding founded Leader’s Challenge, which grew to become the largest high school civic and leadership program in the state of Colorado. He is also the founder & president of the National Leadership Academy, a leading national non-profit leadership development organization.
Previously, Spaulding was the Business Partner Sales Manager at IBM/Lotus Development and a member of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program.
Spaulding received a BA in Political Science from East Carolina University (1992); an MBA from Bond University in Australia (1998), where he was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar; and an MA in Non-Profit Management from Regis University (2005). In 2007, Spaulding received an Honorary PhD in Humanities from the Art Institute of Colorado. In 2002, he received the Denver Business Journal’s “Forty under 40 Award.”
In 2006, Spaulding was awarded East Carolina University’s “Outstanding Alumni Award,” the highest distinction awarded to an alumnus of the university. In 2009, he was appointed the university’s first “Leader in Residence.”
In September 2012, Spaulding was named by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as one of the BEST KEYNOTE SPEAKERS in the nation.
Keynote Topics
Tommy Spaulding’s keynote addresses inspire audiences and teach them how to achieve unprecedented professional and personal success by forming deeper, more authentic relationships with customers, employees, clients, and other key stakeholders. His sincerity, warmth, and humor unfailingly move his audiences, leaving them eager to put his ideas into action.
With his inspirational yet practical delivery, Tommy shares heartwarming and humorous stories from life and business to illustrate how genuine and lasting relationships can grow your organization, advance your career, and change your world.
Tommy’s approach to preparing keynote addresses mirrors his philosophy in life. He tailors every keynote with a focus on how each audience can benefit. He possesses a keen ability in relating each of his experiences and teaching topics to your particular group.
His unique message covers groundbreaking ideas and insights into life and business topics such as:
- How investing in ROR – Return on Relationships can dramatically impact your bottom line and ROI
It’s impossible to build a successful client base in a silo. In other words, relationships are not optional. Though economists talk only of Return on Investment or ROI, Spaulding argues that profit and relationships are interdependent. “Return on Relationships or ROR” is the currency we should focus on rather than solely on ROI, because if we are truly focusing on relationships, the bottom line goals come more easily. In this keynote, Spaulding shares his secrets behind the notion of “Return on Relationships or ROR,” leaving audiences ready to revolutionize their old methods and reach new heights in customer stability and loyalty.
- How to build genuine and authentic relationships.
How do we accomplish extraordinary things as leaders? The quality of our relationships determines whether we simply reach a goal or inspire greatness. The success of any organization is grounded in the formation of sustainable relationships. In this keynote, Spaulding illustrates how to build relationship capital throughout your organization so internal teams maximize their potential and external constituencies and stakeholders share your vision. Spaulding also explores groundbreaking leadership techniques such as building “Fifth Floor Teams,” and leveraging “Netgiving.”
Ken Blanchard — Author, The One Minute Manager
A fresh, and heartfelt look at creating, building and maintaining relationships that matter. Tommy Spaulding’s concepts of “five floors of relationships” and “relational competence” can produce positive life altering returns.
Pete Coors — Chairman, MillerCoors
I’ve never seen anyone connect with and move an audience like Tommy does. His real-life stories breathe life into our own aspirations as leaders. Mark my words: Tommy Spaulding will soon be one of the top ten speakers in the country.
Steve Farber — Best-selling Author
In It’s Not Just Who You Know, Tommy Spaulding delivers his ideas and life experiences in a way that can really help people achieve relationship excellence. This book should be required reading.
Lee Cockerell — Executive Vice President (retired), Walt Disney World®
It’s Not Just Who You Know teaches invaluable lessons on how to move beyond mere networking to forge the deeper relationships that really matter. Read it and use it. It is the stuff that will put you head and shoulders above everyone else.
Marshall Goldsmith — Author, New York Times Best-sellers, MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
An extraordinary book that reveals the most important benchmark of success… your RELATIONSHIPS with other people! A must read!
Skip Holtz — Head Football Coach of the University of South Florida
Tommy Spaulding is a master connector and a great guide who will teach you powerful lessons. Read this book.
Mark Sanborn — Best-selling Author, The Fred Factor
A practical tutorial on building genuinely enriching relationships. You’ll find yourself laughing, crying, and nodding in agreement. It’s Not Just Who You Know is a one-of-a-kind masterwork, and you need to buy it, read it, and give it to everyone you care about.
Jim Kouzes — Dean’s Executive Professor of Leadership, Santa Clara University
Tommy lives, teaches and leads from the heart. The message and tools in this book will not only change your organization and your career, but your life.
Jared Polis — US Congressman,
Founder of Proflowers.com and Bluemountainarts.com
Truly compelling! As I have watched my friend Tommy live out these principles and faith journey, I have seen it not only transform his life, but those around him. This is THE BOOK on authentic servant leadership.
Mark Schultz — GMA Dove Award and Platinum
winning singer/songwriter
Relationships are the cornerstone of success for any organization and Tommy’s message of focusing on the ROR – Return on Relationships – perfectly captured and reinforced the environment we are striving to create here at BDO. Whether we are interacting with peers within the organization or clients outside the organization, we are all stakeholders and all have a responsibility to develop and nurture genuine and authentic relationships that go beyond simple transactions to serve one another. Tommy’s message resonated with everyone in the room to the point that we are still talking about it.
Wayne Berson – Chief Executive Officer, BDO
Tommy Spaulding’s keynote was exactly what I was hoping for. He was engaging, insightful and most of all heartfelt. There are many speakers that can inspire from the stage – and he did inspire – but more importantly he connected with everyone in the room. His connection through his stories on the concept of “five floors of relationships,” touched everyone and left a lifelong impact. I would highly recommend him for any organization building a culture of trust and service.
Jodi Rolland – Managing Director, Hearltand Market Executive, Merrill Lynch
Tommy’s keynote was truly inspiring. If your sales team is serious about building stronger relationships and achieving better results, his message is one you need to hear.
Greg Hopkins – EVP for Global Sales, Stream International
Honestly, our first choice was to have a big named celebrity speaker as our opening keynote speaker at our annual convention. That fell through and Tommy was our second choice. Boy did that turn out for the better. Not only was Tommy’s message received with a standing ovation, but he proved to be one of the most gifted speakers I’ve experienced in my 20 plus years working with chambers and associations.
Mick Flemming – President, American Chamber of Commerce Executives
You are going to have people wishing that they had 15-20 more minutes of Tommy Spaulding. His message to the business community is just right on. Three years later, people are still talking about Tommy Spaulding’s keynote.
Scott Bemis — President, Denver Business Journal
Tommy masterfully illustrates case by case, person by person, that we’re
all in this together.
Woody Johnson — Owner, New York Jets
Tommy’s keynote address and teachings will help build a culture in your organization that grows your most valuable assets…your employees and customers.
Larry Kellner – former CEO, Continental Airlines
Tommy was instrumental in setting the tone for our national conference. He inspired our group to look at the value in every relationship. We received many calls of thanks from our attendees who truly took Tommy’s special message into their hearts.
Hoyt Jones – President, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems
Tommy Spaulding inspires his audience to think differently about what is possible relative to personal achievement, what the human spirit can accomplish. Tommy’s personal stories about relationships help an audience think differently about the barriers that can exist in relationships of any kind. Tommy’s passionate and genuine keynote helped us at Starbucks connect the relationship to better lives and better business!
Eric Wyatt – Regional Vice President, Western Mountain Region – Starbucks Coffee Company
Tommy’s message is fundamental and important to all of us who are trying to make a contribution to the world. It applies equally to the professional and personal realms.
Dolf Berle – President & COO – Dave & Busters, Inc.
A dynamic and knowledgeable speaker. Always worth listening to on a wide number of issues relating to Higher Education. He simultaneously educates and challenges.
Richard D. Lamm – Governor of Colorado (1975-1987)
Tommy gets it – leadership in all aspects. He was the first ‘leader-in-residence’ at East Carolina and helped us kick off our strategic direction of distinguishing the university in its approach to leadership development. He connected to our students in a significant way.
Austin W. Bunch, Ph.D. – Senior Associate Provost , East Carolina University
Tommy Spaulding was the keynote speaker at the national conference of the Council for Alumni Association Marketing and Membership Professionals. ASU was the host and I can speak first hand that the participants were impressed by the preparation, the energy and commitment that Tommy had to his presentation and the prior work writing the book that led to his subsequent speaking engagements. Participants stood in line to purchase books afterwards and the demand quickly surpassed the supply. And, I felt the book would be a great professional development tool for further discussion so have purchased it for the entire staff.
Christine Kajikawa Wilkinson – President, ASU Alumni Association – Arizona State University
Tommy has the ability to bring an organization together as one with his passion and authenticity that is contagious for all those who listen. I highly recommend Tommy for your event or institution to motivate them in ways that will benefit all.
Eric Lovett – Director of Strategic Initiatives, Tennessee Temple University
The interactions Tommy has had with my team has been transformational, to say the least! Tommy’s seminars and teachings are inspiring and allow the participant to begin incorporating new ideas and initiatives immediately.
Margie Tlapa – Assoc. Vice President Corporate Relations Ashford University
Tommy Spaulding’s new book, It’s Not Just Who You Know, takes the whole concept of building relationships to a new level— this exceptional book could be called “networking on steroids.” Tommy’s book helps all of us make the most of any relationship, both in business and life.
Erik Weihenmayer – Only blind man to summit Mount Everest and author of Touch the Top
When you can quiet a room of 2655 Colorado DECA high school members to where you can hear a pin drop and they are hanging on every word, the message got through. Tommy was incredible. His life stories touched each and every person in the room. I would recommend Tommy as a keynote speaker to anyone who asks.
Ev Vaughan – Colorado DECA & Collegiate DECA State Advisor
Tommy Spaulding teaches us the joy and value of investing in relationships!
James H. Maynard — Chairman and Co-founder, Golden Corral Corporation
Someone once told me that your students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. This book provides the tools needed in cultivating your relationships at any level. Tommy’s book is a home run and a must read if you are interested in transforming your life.
Frank DeAngelis — Principal, Columbine High School
A remarkable collection of insights that teaches how generosity, humility and thankfulness will take your business and personal relationships to the next level!
Jason Jennings — Best-selling Author, Hit The Ground Running and Think BIG-Act Small
Tommy Spaulding has written an engaging guide to creating deeper, meaningful relationships. This is one of those rare books that can both make you better and make others better for being around you.
Ken Jennings, PhD — Co-Author, Best-seller The Serving Leader
Tommy Spaulding is masterful at building relationships that matter. He shares powerful lessons and weaves them into a fascinating modern-day follow-on to Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. I only wish that I had this book early in my own career.
Richard R. Eakin — Chancellor Emeritus, East Carolina University
Nothing is more important than our connection with other people. With this book, Tommy inspires us with his first-hand experiences and insight to reach for those deeper relationships. Read this and you’ll be better for it.
Sam Parker — Best-selling Author, 212° the extra degree®
A step by step guide to succeed – with heart- in both your
personal and business life.
David Grossman — Executive Vice President,
The Recording Academy (producers of the GRAMMY® Awards)
Tommy Spaulding has written an engaging guide to creating deeper, meaningful relationships. This is one of those rare books that can both make you better and make others better for being around you.
Dr. Barney Forsythe — President, Westminster College
Inspiring and moving! Tommy is someone who truly understands the human heart. This is a book that I will not only give to all our teachers and staff, but more importantly, all our students.
Dr. Jill Scheulen — Principal, Crestview Middle School
Tommy Spaulding was our key note speaker last week as we gathered our top 30 Sales Executives from across North America. Tommy’s message was extremely impactful to our group. He tailored the message to our attendees and the feedback was incredible. His ability to personalize the message and connect with our ‘best of the best’ was simply amazing. Tommy’s own sales experience added to his relating to the group.
John Ruble – VP, Global Sales Operations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide
Tommy Spaulding’s speech inspired our leaders to focus on creating meaningful relationships with employees and guests in order to improve our business and their personal lives.
Scott Sibella – President and Chief Operating Officer, MGM Grand
The theme for our annual dinner this year was ‘Focus Globally, Transform Locally.’ Tommy’s keynote fit our theme and was the perfect message at the perfect time for who and where we are as an organization and as a community.
Pat Danahy – President and CEO, The Greensboro Partnership
After hearing a keynote by Tommy last year, I lobbied to bring him to Milwaukee. Our small business CEOs attend our events for substantive takeaways and new ideas or concepts they can immediately implement to help grow their companies. Tommy captivated the crowd and delivered a powerful message that truly resonated with them.
Mary Steinbrecher – Executive Director of COSBE, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
Tommy’s experiences and foresight on meaningful relationships and return on relationships resonated on many levels with our Leadership team. Like many, our industry is based on and fueled by referrals, relationships and the personal touch, and Tommy re-instilled to us how those elements lead to business success. So impactful is his personal story on overcoming obstacles, and his message on using the power of relating to others, that we have asked Tommy to speak directly to our customers at a future forum.
Mike Hairston – Executive Vice President of Sales & Business Development, Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc.
Tommy’s keynote was extremely well received by our attendees. Through his candid, personal stories based on his real life experiences, he provided a great reminder that business has got to be about the genuine relationships we establish. His message reinforced that business is always about the PEOPLE, not about the WIDGITS.
Michael V. Geary, CAE | President & CEO, AmericanHort
I have seen countless motivational and professional business speakers in my career and no one successfully does both better than Tommy. He eloquently describes his life, challenges and successes in a way that every person in the audience can relate. His message on leadership, authenticity and life in general is second to none. Regardless of your level in an organization or community, Tommy’s message resonates.
Steve Donzelli – Chairman of the Board, World Alliance of Retail Excellence & Standards
