Keynote on Driving Change in Organisations

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Guerrilla Change

For leaders ready to stop pushing change
and start making room for it.

Book a speech
When change gets stuck in the system.
You have the plans.
You have the strategy.
You have stakeholder buy-in.
And yet, nothing really moves.
Guerrilla Change is for leaders and change-makers who see great ideas getting stuck in bureaucracy, endless alignment meetings, and processes that may have made sense years ago but now mostly slow things down.
Change needs people who dare to do things differently - and leaders who create the space for them to do so. Because when everyone stays safely inside the lines, very little changes. And organizations that stand still eventually fall behind.
Guerrilla change to get moving again.
The problem may not be a lack of motivation. The people who can make change happen are already there. But they are often up against three invisible forces that make it harder to act.
The Rule Mafia
Rules, procedures and systems that once made sense but now get in the way. You can't remove every obstacle in the organisation - but you can start spotting the unnecessary ones, challenge them and create more space for people to act.
The Yes-But Brigade
Too much attention goes to the people who resist, while the people already taking initiative remain invisible. Stop trying to convince everyone. Spot the Guerrillas - the people who are already moving - and give them your attention, trust and support.
The Doubt Dictator
The voice waiting for permission, certainty or the perfect plan. It lives in your people, but leaders hear it too. Give people room to experiment before everything is figured out. And when an experiment goes wrong, have their back. A little failure is part of the deal.
Through real stories and unconventional experiments, you'll discover how to remove unnecessary obstacles, recognise the people who are ready to move, and create the trust and space they need to experiment.
And don't expect another slide-heavy keynote. There isn't a single slide. The entire story unfolds around a set of cardboard boxes that slowly transform the stage - revealing the invisible forces that get change stuck and the Guerrilla tactics that can get it moving again.
You don't need to create more motivation. You need to remove some obstacles, give more trust and support the people who are already willing to move.
You have the right people. Give them room.
What will the audience take away?
Spot the rules, habits and obstacles that unnecessarily slow people down
Focus leadership attention on the people who are already taking initiative
Give people more room to act without constantly asking for permission
Create safer conditions for small experiments, including the occasional mistake
Use practical Guerrilla Change tactics to create momentum with your team

When and for whom is this keynote ideal?
'Guerrilla Change' is especially suited for situations where change gets stuck in processes or bureaucracy. When several initiatives have already taken place but real movement is still missing. When a strategy or merger is clear, yet the energy to move forward is lacking. Or when HR, change or communication teams feel like they are talking to walls and discussions keep going without concrete action.

This keynote is designed for HR leaders, change professionals, communication and marketing teams, and leaders responsible for driving change. Change needs people who dare to do things differently - and leaders who create the space for them to do so.
So, who is Cyriel?
Cyriel Kortleven is an experienced keynote speaker on change and an expert in building a change mindset. He helps organisations look at change in a different way and make it easier to navigate in daily practice.
What you can expect:
More than 20 years of experience as a keynote speaker
Delivered keynotes in more than 40 countries worldwide
Collaborations with international organisations
More than 345 recommendations on LinkedIn
An interactive and energetic speaking style
Practical insights that can be applied immediately
Humour combined with genuine depth
Curious to experience his approach? Watch the 3 minute showreel.
More than 345+ recommendations on Linkedin
Proof that making change simple actually works. Click here to check out the 342 other recommendations.
"Cyriel delivered a splendid and energising keynote presentation for our Change Leaders. As a result new language and tools are now being used regularly. A great experience.“
— Sabine Blanchet
Country HR manager @ Unilever
Internal leadership event (50 pax)

"Cyriel got the highest score of all speakers with a 4,6/5 followed by comments such as 'Absolutely brilliant', 'By far the best inspiration and needed session', 'Excellent thinking',...This says it all and makes my day."
— Michael Nielsen
Managing director - TENEO events
HR Core Academy (200 HR leaders)
"Cyriel is a fantastic speaker to work with. His energy and style, combined with the relevant content of his session ensure the delegates leave the event inspired.”
— Simon Yeowart
Program director - Eventful Group
Reimagining Asset Mgmt (400 pax)
What makes Cyriel different from other change speakers?
Because he doesn’t make change heavier - he makes it lighter.
Where many speakers focus on models and processes, Cyriel first opens the way people think. He combines humour with psychological insight and translates complex change into simple, practical ideas. No standard motivation talk, but interactive moments that stick. No big theories, but small shifts that make an immediate difference. And most importantly: he doesn’t just talk about change - he lets you experience it in the room.
Which keynote is the right fit for your event?
My three most requested keynotes all focus on change - but each from a different angle.
• “The Change Mindset” - How we think and feel about change
This keynote opens perspectives and helps people feel less overwhelmed. The focus is not on changing behaviour immediately, but on creating space and helping people regain a sense of control.
• “Changing Behaviour? Good Luck!” - Turning insight into action through small experiments
Here we move from insight to action. Participants learn how very specific, small steps can lead to real behavioural change.
• “Join the Guerrilla Change Movement” - Creating movement when systems get stuck
This keynote challenges rigid processes and bureaucracy through unconventional but constructive actions that create new momentum.
Not sure which keynote fits best? Just reach out and we’ll explore together what works best for your goal and your audience.
What’s the next step?
The easiest next step is a short briefing call.
In a first conversation I learn more about your objective, audience and context, and I’ll share more about my content and approach. Based on that, I prepare a tailored proposal that fits your event perfectly.
Prefer to start by email? Feel free to send a short description including the date, type of event and number of participants. I’ll then prepare an initial proposal based on that information.
And it doesn’t stop after the keynote.
Participants receive access to additional inspiration and follow-up content, so the insights continue to grow after the event. Together we make sure it’s not just a one-off session, but a meaningful step in your change journey.
Feel free to send me a message for a tailored proposal.

Guerrilla Change

For leaders ready to stop pushing change

and start making room for it.

When change gets stuck in the system.

You have the plans.

You have the strategy.

You have stakeholder buy-in.

And yet, nothing really moves.

Guerrilla Change is for leaders and change-makers who see great ideas getting stuck in bureaucracy, endless alignment meetings, and processes that may have made sense years ago but now mostly slow things down.

Change needs people who dare to do things differently - and leaders who create the space for them to do so. Because when everyone stays safely inside the lines, very little changes. And organizations that stand still eventually fall behind.

Guerrilla change to get moving again.

The problem may not be a lack of motivation. The people who can make change happen are already there. But they are often up against three invisible forces that make it harder to act.

The Rule Mafia

Rules, procedures and systems that once made sense but now get in the way. You can't remove every obstacle in the organisation - but you can start spotting the unnecessary ones, challenge them and create more space for people to act.

The Yes-But Brigade

Too much attention goes to the people who resist, while the people already taking initiative remain invisible. Stop trying to convince everyone. Spot the Guerrillas - the people who are already moving - and give them your attention, trust and support.

The Doubt Dictator

The voice waiting for permission, certainty or the perfect plan. It lives in your people, but leaders hear it too. Give people room to experiment before everything is figured out. And when an experiment goes wrong, have their back. A little failure is part of the deal.

Through real stories and unconventional experiments, you'll discover how to remove unnecessary obstacles, recognise the people who are ready to move, and create the trust and space they need to experiment.

And don't expect another slide-heavy keynote. There isn't a single slide. The entire story unfolds around a set of cardboard boxes that slowly transform the stage - revealing the invisible forces that get change stuck and the Guerrilla tactics that can get it moving again.

You don't need to create more motivation. You need to remove some obstacles, give more trust and support the people who are already willing to move.

You have the right people. Give them room.

What will the audience take away?

When and for whom is this keynote ideal?

So, who is Cyriel?

More than 345+ recommendations on Linkedin

Proof that making change simple actually works. Click here to check out the 342 other recommendations.

"Cyriel delivered a splendid and energising keynote presentation for our Change Leaders. As a result new language and tools are now being used regularly. A great experience.“

— Sabine Blanchet

"Cyriel got the highest score of all speakers with a 4,6/5 followed by comments such as 'Absolutely brilliant', 'By far the best inspiration and needed session', 'Excellent thinking',...This says it all and makes my day."

— Michael Nielsen

"Cyriel is a fantastic speaker to work with. His energy and style, combined with the relevant content of his session ensure the delegates leave the event inspired.”

— Simon Yeowart

What makes Cyriel different from other change speakers?

Which keynote is the right fit for your event?

What’s the next step?