Chris Kolenda

I work with leaders who want to end dependency and create team-driven success

Travels from Milwaukee WI, USA

Audience Feedback

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Attendees Find Valuable

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Would See Again

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Talks Given

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Speaks on:

Inspirational Leadership

Personal Empowerment

Speaks to:

Government & Public Sector

Formats:

Keynote

Panel

Workshop


Audience members say

Chris captivates audiences with his unique blend of military leadership wisdom and practical business insights. He transforms complex concepts into actionable strategies, earning praise for his "inspiring" and "informative" presentations that connect on a deeply personal level. Attendees leave his talks feeling motivated and equipped with real-world tools to enhance communication, build stronger relationships, and cultivate positive organizational cultures.
Key Audience Outcomes
  • Participants gained actionable leadership insights applicable across various organizational levels.

  • Attendees felt inspired and motivated to drive positive change within their departments and organizations.

  • Individuals acquired practical methods for improving communication, building relationships, and fostering a positive culture.

Chris's Bio

Chris Kolenda works with leaders to end dependency and create team-driven success. His clients—CEOs, Cabinet-level officials, 4-star generals, police and fire chiefs, and NFL teams—have unlocked over $100 million in new growth by leveraging his battle-tested and business-proven strategies. A West Point graduate, internationally renowned combat leader, and retired Army colonel, Chris developed a game-changing strategy in Afghanistan that motivated an insurgent force to switch sides—the only successful case in the war’s 20-year history. As a senior advisor to three 4-star generals and two Secretaries of Defense, he became the first American to both fight the Taliban in combat and negotiate successfully with them. He has written three books and has been featured on the front pages of the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, written about in the New York Times, The Economist, London Times, and many others, and he has appeared on nearly every major news network in the U.S. and U.K.

TYPICAL FEE

Private

Varies based on date, location, and engagement type

What you will receive

A detailed quote with pricing, availability, add-ons, and travel info that's ready to share with your team.


Chris Offers the Following Talks

Inspirational LeadershipPersonal Empowerment

Steering with Purpose: How to Activate Unwavering Inspiration in Yourself and Your Team

  • How to put yourself and your employees into their zones of genius.

  • Inspire people to contribute their best to your organization’s success.

  • Master ways to respond to challenges and avoid self-sabotaging reactions.

  • Determine who to put in your inner circle and who to keep away from it.

  • Create 1mm adjustments that deliver massive impact.

Show more >



Frequently Asked Questions on Working With Chris

I customize my presentations to meet your outcomes. I believe in building relationships with you and your participants in advance and always leading with presence, kindness, and openness.

Yes! I customize every presentation by 1) orienting on your objectives and desired outcomes, 2) providing a questionnaire to your audience in advance to know what's most relevant to them, and 3) interviewing select participants to gain further insights.

I provide you with a welcome video to get participants excited about the event. Their participation in the pre-event questionnaire increases attendance significantly, because they help shape the presentation. I have a large LinkedIn network that I use to promote the event.

Everyone has an opportunity to get my weekly newsletter and access my YouTube channel. I'll often send a follow-up video and visual models that you may send to participants. I prefer an ongoing relationship.

Yes to all. I love book signings and interacting with people afterward in meet-and-greets. I'll often provide my visual models and a follow-up video, especially if there's a topic we didn't have time to cover.

I can work with any reasonable budget to create a win-win-win situation.

Yes. Audience members have the opportunity to get my weekly newsletter and YouTube channel. They'll have access to the visual models we discussed during the event. I also typically provide a follow-up video with content that the audience has expressed interest in.

We make an agreement that works for all of us.

Unrestricted coach-class fare for most trips. Business class for flights longer than 3 hours. Marriott-level hotel accomodations.


Chris's Links and Media Mentions