Speaking Engagements
I currently deliver 4x keynote engagements (outlined below).
These are not ‘war stories’ nor should they be conflated with ‘motivational speaking’.
The aim of each keynote is to enhance personal understanding of theory and to provide clear takeaways for application in a corporate setting.
This process will take 1hr.
A further 30 mins is encouraged for discussion with the audience. Total delivery time for keynote engagement is 90mins++.
Leadership Through Adversity
Introduction:
What is leadership?
What is the difference between leadership and management?
Why is it important for leaders to explore leadership?
Why have leadership theories changed and what is relevant now?
How can current leadership models be practised in a corporate landscape?
Application:
Journey from joining the army in May 2011 – Cancer diagnosis in 2012. Impacts of chemotherapy. Rejection of medical discharge. Return to service and journey to Afghanistan. Application of adaptive leadership models through necessity rather than choice. Lessons identified & lessons learnt.
Consolidation:
Recap of Situational Leadership, Golf bag analogy, Veritas High Performance ABCD.
Home Grown Resilience
Introduction:
What is mental resilience?
What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Why is resilience important in the corporate workspace?
What is a growth mindset and why do people keep on talking about it?
How can we build personal resilience?
How can we cultivate resilience within our teams?
Why is it important to build a system of resilience in a high performing team?
Why resilience is about more than running marathons and expeditions and how to harness it in day to day life.
Application:
Leadership challenges of commanding a Platoon of wounded and injured soldiers. Application of motivation when personally injured before returning to active duty. Leadership challenges of leading high performing teams in an elite military unit. Commitment to PMA. Lessons identified & lessons learnt.
Consolidation:
Recap of Social Identity Theory, SDT and Prospect Theory. Fearless Motivation. Self-care. Unwavering self-belief.
Cultural Adaptations in Leadership
Introduction:
What is culture?
What is the difference between cultural norms, values and beliefs?
Which aspects of culture necessitate cultural adaptation?
Why is understanding how to navigate culture important for leaders in industry?
Exploration of cultural competence and experiential learning in conjunction with the role of language in multi-cultural communication.
Application:
Various leadership / management challenges and ethical problems from active service where cultural adaption as a Gurkha Officer and understanding of other nation’s cultural nuance was paramount to operational success overseas. Exploration of the cultural subtleties experienced internationally and how they were overcome. Application of active listening skills, verbal judo and universal truths. Lessons identified and lessons learnt.
Consolidation:
Recap aspects of culture, analytical tools and cross cultural competence techniques.
Coal Face Negotiation & Influence
Introduction:
What are the causes of conflict (biological vs sociological)?
Why does conflict arise?
Is there a universal need for fairness?
Which common behaviours arise during conflict?
How can we persuade / influence other people to act against their perceived interests?
Lessons from Hostage Negotiation: Positions | Interests | Needs; the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. What is a BATNA?
What is a ZOPA?
How to ‘frame’ and ‘anchor’ a negotiation.
Application:
Positive and negative examples of negotiation from service.
Exploration of how nuances in communication can impact negotiation.
Consolidation:
Recap BATNA & ZOPA, active listening skills and BISM.
Adam Dikker, NY
It is not every day that you find a speaker quite like Matthew; our employees were so impressed with his resiliency, and the way that he was able to translate rigorous academic concepts in a way that is palatable for a wide audience. I cannot recommend him highly enough! His leadership expertise and consultative services can help you in your organization.
Centre for Army Leadership
I really enjoyed the session.
I am deeply passionate about understanding how leadership is taught and connecting people to the underlying thinking and theories. Your lecture was an excellent example of how this should be approached.
I really appreciated how you began with the Doctrine, linked the infographics to real world scenarios, connected academic models, and brought everything to life with engaging stories. It was both very insightful and very I think, inspiring.
Thank you once again.
Dan Lansley, UK
His ability to make complex ideas accessible and thick concepts digestible made for a profound period of focussed reflection and learning.
Independently of his professional services as a leadership authority, his own life story is remarkable. I’m very fortunate to have worked with many extraordinary people in my career in the UK armed forces, yet he surely ranks as one of the most extraordinary I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet.
Thank you Matt for the impact you’ve already made on me and my unit. To anyone reading this, I cannot recommend his services highly enough.
Chris Townsend, Felsted
Matthew Addison Black, Felsted alumnus (1996–2006), delivered a compelling and inspiring talk on leadership, drawing on his experience in the British Army and his reflections on the life and legacy of Lieutenant Walter Hamilton VC, one of Felsted’s most distinguished former pupils. Lieutenant Hamilton’s bravery during the Battle of Fattehabad and his ultimate sacrifice in Kabul exemplify the courage, integrity, and selfless service that Felsted seeks to instil in our community.
Having recently returned from service in Afghanistan and drawing on his own leadership experience in the British Army, Matthew connected these historical acts of courage to modern leadership challenges, offering practical insights for students and staff alike.
Our students and staff were inspired by Matthew’s reflections, gaining a deeper understanding of what courageous, values-driven leadership looks like in practice. His talk reinforced the enduring Felsted values of respect, adventure and inspiration, leaving a lasting impression on the whole community.
Col Shaun Chandler
I was Matthew's Company Commander when he was a young Platoon Commander, even then proximal to the challenges he talks about with Veritas, he led with authenticity, humility, and quiet strength.
To hear him now, openly sharing the raw realities of service, illness, and identity, makes me even prouder to call him a friend.
His journey through cancer didn’t just test his resilience; it redefined it. And now, as a coach, he brings that hard-won perspective to others. If you need someone who truly gets what growth through adversity means: Matt’s your man.