My nephew watches videos nonstop on his phone. As someone who grew up changing the channel by getting up and turning a knob on the behemoth across the room, I am still astonished that a TV can fit into anyone’s back pocket — and by his ability to watch YouTube while doing other life activities. Not only does he not get dizzy (or injure himself), but he can give you an instant replay of what happened, regardless of how many other things he is doing simultaneously.
Maybe I’m a tad jealous of his ability to multitask. Or the fact that he can see his phone without reading glasses. Perhaps I’m just in awe of how far technology has come. Things we could have never dreamed of, the younger generation takes for granted.
One thing I am sure of is that he never searches YouTube for motivational leadership videos.
That’s where I come in. As a leadership keynote speaker, I recognize that you face monumental decisions and complex problems every day, as well as the responsibility of managing your organization’s success and the well-being of your employees. It can be lonely at the top. Many leaders feel they don’t have anyone to bounce ideas off of or collaborate with. That’s why hearing directly from other leaders is paramount.
Top Ten Game-Changing Leadership Videos on YouTube Right Now
If you are on the go, check out our top list of leadership podcasts on Spotify. However, if you prefer a visual summary, I have curated the following list of the top ten inspiring leadership YouTube videos in 2023. These videos have empowered leaders worldwide to embark on journeys of self-awareness, discovery and growth, and you could be next. The leadership strategies in these motivational videos align with strategies I know firsthand that can catalyze sustainable success.
1. Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni has changed the game. His work around leadership and organizational development is revolutionary. One of the most influential lessons he shares through his leadership keynote speaker sessions and videos is how to embrace the power of vulnerability and authenticity.
In this transformative leadership training video, Lencioni teaches us how to acknowledge our shortcomings and challenges and discuss them with our team. By demonstrating vulnerability, we create a culture of trust and connection. Sharing our thoughts and concerns organically fosters collaboration and innovation, which results in organizational success.
Lencioni stresses the importance of cultivating cohesiveness through his innovative idea of the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. This groundbreaking concept highlights critical elements that often hinder a team’s success. As we learn how to recognize and address these dysfunctions — lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results — we can empower our teams to attain the highest levels of effectiveness and productivity.
2. Tara Fela Durotoye
Tara Fela Durotoye’s superpower is her innate ability to motivate audiences to deepen their leadership impact. In this inspirational leadership video, she offers valuable lessons for those ready to unleash positivity on their teams and the world. By sharing her journey as the founder of House of Tara, she highlights how following a meaningful vision can drive incredible growth and sustainable success. Her story speaks to the passionate leader inside all of us.
Tara demonstrates how we can identify that passion and channel it into purposeful endeavors, despite challenges. By deploying adaptability, Tara became a trailblazer when the concept of makeup artistry was new in Nigeria. She brings us along on her journey as she learns how to adapt to the market’s evolving needs, remain faithful to her values and catalyze flexibility to achieve the highest level of success.
Renowned as an authoritative leadership motivational speaker, Tara’s profound insights empower us to navigate uncertainty and seize every opportunity.
3. Steve Jobs
This incredible leadership speaker needs no introduction. His innovative thinking and style left an indelible mark on the technology industry and our world, and his passion, innovation and drive transformed Apple into one of the world’s most successful and iconic companies. Through his remarkable leadership training videos, we gain insight into how the relentless pursuit of excellence can create unparalleled success.
Backed by an unwavering dedication to creating products that are beautifully designed and functional, Steve’s innovation is renowned for disrupting industries. He believed in creating perfection, reminding us that attention to detail and a commitment to quality can set an organization apart.
Never settling for the status quo, he encouraged his teams to think differently, unleash creativity and push boundaries. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to explore his revolutionary mindset in one of the best leadership videos the world has known, or will ever know.
4. Michael Dell
Acclaimed entrepreneur and founder of Dell Technologies, a global technology company, Michael Dell epitomizes innovation. In this inspirational leadership video, he draws audiences in as he delves into his journey from a college dorm room to building one of the world’s leading technology firms.
Exemplifying the power of disruption, persistence and adaptability, Michael’s story highlights outside-the-box thinking that challenges traditional business models. Regardless of our industry, we can all learn from his revolutionary approach.
With a deep belief that the customer experience is paramount, Michael demonstrates how he designed and delivered his products to meet their needs. Dell Technologies’ incredible success underscores the importance of understanding and responding to the market, fostering loyalty and driving growth.
5. Marshall Goldsmith
The next influential leadership speaker on this list of best leadership videos is Marshall Goldsmith. While his name might not be immediately recognizable, his impact is extraordinarily powerful.
A celebrated leadership coach, author and educator, Goldsmith focuses on launching leaders to their highest potential. His passion lies in teaching the importance of humility and continuous growth, and his background in behavioral psychology drives his profound insights, which have left a significant mark on the leadership development field.
Founded on the belief that “what got you here, won’t get you there”, Goldsmith empowers leaders to evolve and adapt at every career phase. His philosophy of active recognition and positive behavior reinforcement offers even the most-accomplished leaders better awareness of self-improvement opportunities. Through his methods, we can cultivate an environment of encouragement and motivation, enhancing team engagement and productivity.
6. Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is a globally recognized figure known for his exceptional skills in leadership. You can see this clearly in his engaging leadership YouTube videos where he explains the key aspects of great leadership in a way that’s easy to understand.
As someone who’s really good at investing, running big businesses, and helping others, Buffett shares valuable insights about what makes a great leader. His investment philosophy, wisdom and long-term approach to attaining goals is insightful and practical.
Buffet is dedicated to learning and growth. He spends a significant amount of time reading and expanding his knowledge and inspires us to do the same. Through his motivational leadership videos, he guides leaders into deploying insatiable curiosity to make informed decisions and adapt to changing circumstances more effectively.
Audiences learn how to apply his investment strategy (seek companies with solid fundamentals and hold onto investments for the long haul) to their leadership style. His message, shared in his typical, straightforward style, offers insight into how patience and focusing on sustainable growth can yield substantial rewards.
7. HBR
With a slightly different twist than the other motivational leadership videos on this list by individual leadership speakers, Harvard Business Review (HBR) offers a broad scope of invaluable insights from many sources. HBR inspires action through clearly conveyed ideas with engaging leadership videos for managers at any level. Its case studies emphasize the complexities of decision-making and demonstrate the significance of critical thinking, strategic analysis and effective communication.
An integral component of their inspirational leadership video series is the content related to unearthing emotional intelligence. By gaining deeper insight into our emotions, leaders can cultivate a culture of well-being and engagement. Additionally, HBR’s leadership YouTube videos explore diversity and inclusivity and emphasize embracing different perspectives to enhance innovation and enrich the culture.
Most importantly, HBR’s channel reminds us that leadership is an ever-evolving journey. Seeking learning opportunities enables us to stay updated on management trends and best practices, to bounce forward through uncertainty and inspire employees to strive for excellence.
8. Roger Martin
A trusted strategy advisor to the CEOs of companies worldwide, including Procter & Gamble, Lego and Ford, Roger Martin exemplifies impactful leadership. In his motivational leadership video series, his integrative thinking framework teaches us to embrace complexity and discover solutions at the intersection of innovation and opposition. His groundbreaking thought leadership encourages leaders to look past binary choices and explore creative approaches.
Martin creates engaging leadership videos for managers no matter where they are in their leadership journey. His emphasis on catalyzing design thinking to solve problems underscores the value of empathy and user-centric solutions. By delving deeper into stakeholder needs, we can develop products and strategies that resonate and drive growth.
9. Amy Gallo
A contributing editor at Harvard Business Review and an accomplished writer, speaker and consultant, Amy Gallo’s motivational leadership videos teach us how to leverage effective communication to create a harmonious workplace. Her background in organizational development and conflict resolution drives her focus on improving communication, collaboration and overall effectiveness.
Through an engaging and empathetic approach, Gallo teaches us that communication is paramount. She explains how and why transparent and open dialogue is essential to amplify leadership impact and masterfully guides leaders to create an environment of trust, build meaningful relationships and prevent misunderstandings. By learning how to approach difficult conversations, we become better equipped to address conflict constructively and foster a productive and harmonious work environment.
10. Julie Sweet
Last but not least on my list of inspiring leadership videos on YouTube, Julie Sweet’s approach to guiding organizations through monumental change teaches us the importance of visionary leadership. A prominent business executive and CEO of Accenture, a global professional services company, Sweet leverages her background in law and proven leadership track record to aid leaders in attaining sustainable success.
Under her leadership, Accenture has embraced digital transformation and innovation and is a trailblazer in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. We can leverage her philosophy and forward-thinking to adapt to emerging trends and stay ahead of the competition.
Sweet also places the utmost importance on embracing diversity and inclusion. She fiercely advocates for gender equality and diverse representation, recognizing that unique perspectives drive innovation and enhance decision-making. We can all draw inspiration from her motivational leadership videos to create an equitable and inclusive workplace culture.
