Joel Zeff

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5 out of 5

Workplace Culture Expert, Emcee, Bestselling Author & Improvisational Humorist

Travels From Travels From:
Dallas, TX, USA
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Joel Zeff Biography

Joel Zeff is a dynamic speaker, work culture expert, improvisational humorist, and author. His interactive performances invite members of the audience to participate in hilarious improvisational exercises that illustrate Zeff's central message: That organizations and individuals should celebrate their successes to increase collaboration, productivity, passion, and innovation.

Since 1997, Zeff has inspired audiences from Wells Fargo to Samsung to KPMG and even the IRS. Zeff is a masterful keynote speaker and a nationally renowned motivator, humorist, and improvisational actor. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years, and he has shared his insight at more than 2,500 events.

His career is a search for fun and passion. He quickly realized the importance of both at his first jobs delivering the hometown newspaper and cleaning up trash at a suburban movie theater. He started his professional career as a newspaper journalist and public relations executive. In 1994, Zeff went out on his own as a corporate communications specialist. He helped clients with their internal communications, media relations, strategy, and customer marketing. Throughout the consulting process, Zeff realized his clients—many of them high-level technology and telecommunications firms—needed more than marketing and public relations strategy. Many of his clients' employees were starving for fun, passion, and a new perspective on finding success.

At the time, Zeff was having fun on the weekends as a comedian. Through friends, he discovered improvisational comedy. One of his clients (a large technology company) knew Zeff performed comedy on the weekends. The client invited him to entertain and speak to a group of executives before dinner. A corporate speaking career was born.

He connects to his audience with humor that has them laughing so uncontrollably that their mascara runs, their cheeks hurt, and their bellies ache. And he does not do it alone. Volunteers from the audience join him on stage and play an integral role in an improvisation game in front of hundreds or thousands of people—something the audience members have never done. He expects nothing less than success. He expects the volunteers to focus and work together as a team; communicate effectively; positively support each other; and take responsibility.

Zeff makes his audience laugh so hard that they forget about the corporate nonsense of conference calls, "strategic deliverables," PowerPoint presentations with upside triangles, or "paradigm shifts in a cross-functional organization." Zeff will make you laugh, and he will make you think. His keynotes deliver a combination of inspiration, essential business knowledge, and significant ideas to help audience members reconnect with their own passion and success.

As discussed in his book, "Make the Right Choice," Zeff believes that we all encounter choices in our careers. We always can have the opportunity to make the right choice to live a more creative, passionate, and productive life. How do you "make the right choice?" You can choose to provide opportunity. You can choose to provide positive support. And along the way, you can choose to have fun.

He has appeared on CNBC and featured in The Dallas Morning News, The Houston Chronicle, The Kansas City Star, and many other media outlets. Additionally, his book "Make the Right Choice" is a Dallas Morning News bestseller and consistently ranks highly in Work/Life balance categories on Amazon. Zeff offers a virtual experience titled "The Spirit of Ta-Da" which aims to inject fun, energy, and passion into the audience. His emphasis on improvisation is not just for entertainment but also teaches the importance of flexibility and adaptability in creating successful teams during times of change and disruption.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/30/2024.

Joel Zeff Speaking Topics

  • The TA DA of Teamwork: Succeeding During Change and Disruption

    We are all improvising. We face challenges, disruption, change, and obstacles without a script or rehearsal. To find success, we need to work together, build trust, and create opportunity. During this session, Joel will discuss how the tenets of improvisation create successful teams during change and disruption.

    Joel has spent the past 30 years performing and teaching the lessons of improvisation. This interactive, engaging and hilarious session will focus on staying in the game; facing fear; building trust, and asking the important question, “How do I help the people around me be successful?” Joel will also bring his famous TA DA energy as he discusses the importance of opportunity, positive support, and active listening in collaboration. Yes, you will have fun and laugh during this session. You will also learn how to collaborate more successfully as a team, and navigate change. Are you ready for the TA DA?

    This session will focus on:

    • Creating opportunity and positive support for your team.
    • Making the choice to “be in the moment.”
    • How to Stay in the Game when faced with challenges, change and disruption.
    • Thrive during change by making the choice to be prepared and open and flexible.
    • Fueling your passion and reducing stress.
    • Collaboration: how we help each other find success.

  • The Spirit of TA DA: Transforming Work Culture through the Power of Play

    How do your employees and managers embrace the Spirit of TA DA? We all must take ownership of our work environment and create a foundation of opportunity and positive support. We can choose to be patient, supportive, and more flexible to change. We can choose to have fun in the workplace and still be productive. Joel teaches us just how easy it is to make these choices.

    In The Spirit of TA DA, Joel shares his experience and insight on creativity, communication, teamwork, passion, and fun. With wit, a sharp observational eye, and playful irreverence, he discusses the choices we all encounter in our careers. We each have the ability to take initiative and make the right choice to live a more creative, passionate, effective, and productive life.

    He connects to his audience with humor that has them laughing so uncontrollably that their mascara runs, their cheeks hurt, and their bellies ache.

    And he doesn't do it alone. Volunteers from the audience join him on stage and play an integral role in an improvisation game in front of hundreds or thousands of people—something the audience members have never done. He expects nothing less than their success. He expects the volunteers to focus and work together as a team; communicate effectively; positively support each other; and take responsibility.

    Joel makes his audience laugh so hard that they forget about the corporate nonsense of conference calls, "strategic deliverables," PowerPoint presentations with upside-down triangles, or "paradigm shifts in a cross-functional organization." Yes, Joel will make you laugh, but he'll also make you think. This presentation delivers a combination of inspiration, essential business knowledge, and significant ideas to help audience members reconnect with their own passion, creativity, and success.

    Seven Lessons Learned:

    • Learn to celebrate work and create a positive environment.
    • Learn to improve teamwork and help all partners find success.
    • Learn the three keys to leading through change: be prepared; be focused; be open and flexible.
    • Learn the key to success: staying in the game and keeping your passion.
    • Learn to promote ownership and accountability.
    • Learn to encourage innovation by creating opportunity.
    • Learn to enhance communication.

  • The TA DA of Change: Leading Teams during Change with Passion & Success

    Change and disruption are constant. Your teams must navigate the chaos and disruption to find success. Too often, we become stressed, frustrated and impatient. Improvisation is finding success during that constant change, chaos and disruption. How do managers continue to motivate and energize employees during difficult times? Managers must help employees stay in the game; work in the moment; and take ownership of their happiness.

    Joel leads the audience through a series of exercises that demonstrates how easy it is to continue working creatively, effectively and productively while dealing with change. Improvisation teaches us to embrace change. Joel will focus on the key choices that improvisation teaches us: be prepared for change; be open and flexible to change; be present and in the moment with change.

    In improvisation, there is no script, no plan and no rehearsal. Joel focuses on the famous TA DA spirit of creating positive support and opportunity during change. Just as important, managers must allow employees to create ownership. Ownership and responsibility will allow the employee to care. And once the employee starts to care, the next step is passion.

    The session will focus on:

    • Embracing change and finding success.
    • Creating opportunity to lead change.
    • Being open and flexible to change; being prepared for change; being in the moment during change.
    • Making the right choices to be an effective leader during change
    • Asking the most important question of a leader: How do I help the people around me be successful?

  • The Spirit of TA DA: A Virtual Experience of Fun, Energy, and Passion

    Get ready for a virtual experience like no other! Joel Zeff brings his trademark energy, humor, and inspirational message directly to your team, no matter where they are located. Joel will transform your virtual gathering into an engaging, interactive, and unforgettable event that will have your team laughing, learning, and feeling more connected than ever before.

    Drawing on his years of experience in improv comedy and corporate training, Joel will guide your team through fun, participatory exercises that demonstrate the power of positivity, teamwork, and embracing change.

    By the end of this Joel’s virtual session, your team will be energized, motivated, and armed with practical tools to bring more TA DA moments into their work and lives. Get ready to laugh, learn, and rediscover the excitement that comes from truly enjoying what you do!

Joel Zeff Videos

  • Joel Zeff Keynote Demo & Sizzle Reel
  • Joel Zeff LIVE Emcee/AGS Sizzle Recap
  • Joel Zeff: Virtual Keynote Recap Sizzle

Joel Zeff Books

  • Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work
    Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work
  • Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life
    Make the Right Choice: Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life

FAQs on booking Joel Zeff

  • How do I book Joel Zeff to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Joel Zeff for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Joel Zeff, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Joel Zeff or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Joel Zeff

    Speaking fees for Joel Zeff, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Joel Zeff are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Joel Zeff, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Joel Zeff speak about?

  • Where does Joel Zeff travel from?

    Joel Zeff generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Joel Zeff’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Joel Zeff for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Joel Zeff for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Joel Zeff or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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Joel Zeff is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The TA DA of Teamwork: Succeeding During Change and Disruption, The Spirit of TA DA: Transforming Work Culture through the Power of Play, The TA DA of Change: Leading Teams during Change with Passion & Success and The Spirit of TA DA: A Virtual Experience of Fun, Energy, and Passion. The estimated speaking fee range to book Joel Zeff for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Joel Zeff generally travels from Dallas, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Libby Gill, Dan Thurmon, Dr. Jackie Freiberg, Mark DeVolder and Doug Lipp. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Joel Zeff for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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