How One Virtual Keynote Sparked a Breakthrough in My Speaking Career

Jun 12

And Set Me on a Mission to Help Organizations Build Stronger Workplace Cultures

Sometimes, the moments you least expect are the ones that change everything.

Back in 2020, I was scheduled to deliver a live keynote in Dubai for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table Global Conference. Flights were booked. The stage was set.

And then—just like that—the pandemic shut everything down.

Live events vanished overnight, and like so many in the speaking and performance world, my entire calendar was wiped clean.

Except for one thing.

MDRT decided to go virtual—and they still wanted me to speak.

From Creativity to Communication

Originally, I was going to present on creativity, helping top financial professionals unlock innovative thinking. But with the world moving online and everyone suddenly working over Zoom, something became very clear:

Creativity wasn’t the pain point anymore. Communication was.

Leaders, advisors, and team members alike were all struggling to connect through a screen, hold attention, and convey emotion in virtual environments.

So I pivoted my message.

I drew on my background as a mentalist, voice actor, and performer to create a keynote on how to speak with clarity, presence, and emotional impact—even from behind a webcam.

That One Pivot Led to a New Purpose

The response to that virtual keynote was overwhelming. Not only did it open the door to dozens more virtual events—it also sparked a bigger realization:

The real breakthrough organizations need isn’t more information.
It’s better communication, deeper connection, and a more human culture.

That became the core of my work moving forward. And it ultimately led to the development of my flagship keynote:
Breakthrough: Unlock the Potential of Your People.

From Virtual Stage to Real-World Impact

Today, I speak to companies and conferences around the world—not just about how to speak, but about how to build a culture that communicates clearly, connects meaningfully, and creates breakthrough results.

And it all started with a canceled flight, a last-minute pivot, and one unexpected virtual keynote.

Joshua Seth is a renowned workplace culture keynote speaker and mentalist who’s inspired teams at Fortune 500 companies and global conferences. He helps teams communicate more effectively, connect more deeply, and create breakthrough results. Learn more at joshuaseth.com/keynote-speaker