Kelly Walker

His books are wonderful, and his concerts are uplifting, but Kelly Walker IS a speaker. He walks the talk and it shows in his presentations. Kelly is one of Canada’s experts on the questions of transition, change and burnout. He brings the most controlled audiences to their feet when he addresses crowds from 50 to 5000. He is wise, current and fun. A man who began his speaking career as a preacher in the Dominican Order (the Order of Preachers), he has continued to inspire, inform and confront audiences throughout North America by his fresh and authentic style of presentation. He will lead your audience from laughter to tears as he explores with them the human dimensions of transition and change. He is able to speak to the true issues that humans face since he has experienced them personally. Also, as a former priest and therapist, he has guided thousands of people through their journeys.

Normally, Kelly makes use of music to illustrate his talks. Opening up the right brain is an important element in adult learning. It also binds a group together. Now and again, he will be asked to MC a whole event, introducing the speakers and providing a taylor-made song for the event. This brings cohesion to an event.

He has addressed a great variety of audiences. Judges, bankers, police, teachers, sales teams, hospital staffs, psychiatrists, funeral directors and lots of just plain folks. His impact is visible. Standing ovations generally follow his opening or closing keynote. Evaluations demonstrate that he is able to touch the hearts and the imagination of audiences.

Although his main forte is the keynote address, he also enjoys periodically leading a longer workshop on a variety of topics. You will be pleased that you chose him for your convention or staff day.

• From Doing to Being

  What do you do now that your retirement is here? How do you cope? What will you do? In this presentation, Kelly explores the transition from "human doing" to "human being" and what you can expect along the way. Using techniques he developed during his own transition, Kelly gives you a different perspective for this very important phase of our lives. As the Baby Boom generation nears that time when they are considering retirement this presentation is very timely.

• WORKSHOP: Burnout: Understanding that there ARE limits

  No one has to burn out.
  
  Some people work hard and get tired. They rest, recover and get at it again. Others never seem to be able to get out of "driven" mode. They become work. They find that they are boundary-less, unable to stop, and constantly overwhelmed. They become a health hazard to themselves and eventually become a hazard in the workplace. Bosses love them because they accept every request. However, rage builds up within them and they begin to explode in a variety of manners. They begin to lose themselves and retreat. In some cases, death awaits from systemic exhaustion or suicide.
  
  This session is designed to help that kind of person as well as those colleagues who have to put up with it all.

  ·We will explore the symptoms that accompany this inner sadness.
  ·We will look at roots.
  ·We will explore way to prevent burnout.
  ·We will consider various approaches to healing.
  

  There will be presentation and discussion if the group is small enough. In the end, we will learn ways to assure vibrant and happy work.
  As a result, you will:

  ·Know what signs to look for in yourself and in your employees
  ·Be better prepared to help them find the appropriate approach for their healing
  ·Understand how to deal with those who are on the path towards burnout
  ·Understand what old scripts encourage burnout in individuals and in teams
  ·Look for signals in your recruitment procedures that will help you choose appropriate persons for your company
  ·Help co-workers cope with people who are overwhelmed and often overwhelming
  ·Realize that burnout can be prevented and cured.
  ·Know that certain conditions need to be present for a happy workplace
  This workshop can be two hours, half-day or whole day. It is also adaptable to clients and their spouses/life partners/family members.

• Grief: From dark despair to new beginnings

  When someone close to us dies, part of us dies too. Recovery is often a long process and sometimes we feel that we will never be normal again. People around us often prod us into being somebody we can't be and ask us to be in places we are not ready for. The struggle for a new IDENTITY often overwhelms us.
  
  Many times we feel like giving up and dying too. Many want to be left alone or go into hiding. We no longer have the old "props" that helped in ages past. We live in a culture that wants to deny death and as a result denies the pain and normal grief that is part of that reality. And death is a normal human reality as is the pain and emptiness that accompanies it.
  
  This keynote will explore the dynamics of grief, the feelings that normally accompany loss through death and the mystery of inner re-adjustment that is part of the process. We will explore how the body-system functions during this time and how the body-system can be used in the healing process. We will explore as well the social dynamics of loneliness, re-integration and new relationships.

• Icons of Hope

  Teacher - Mentor - Elder - Friend. In an era when nothing seems secure, the role of the mentor or elder is more important than ever. Who passes on the important wisdom and tradition about living, learning and dying, and the necessary transitions in between? Kelly addresses these questions in this unique presentation. Whatever stage of human growth you are at, you surely have a mentor role to play in someone's life.

• The Way In: The arts in recovery

  Many are of the opinion that today's North American lives enslaved by systemic addiction. Food, drink, consumerism, sex, work etc. seem to rob many of their "souls". Therapeutic recovery work has introduced the notion of the CHILD as being the core of our being. It is out of deep wipe-out or shame that we embrace the addictive behaviour or substance. In my work as a therapist as well as an artist, I have discovered that the "way in" that embraces the deepest parts of the wounded child's eco-system is through music, art, dance, drama. This session will explore that process which is a key to the liberation of humanity.
  
  Content:

  ·Explore the dimensions of the child in People
  ·Identify what distresses the child within us
  ·Shame
  ·From core grief to sacred wound
  ·Accessing the inner child through the arts: An exploration
  ·Compassionate Living: To dance in harmony with the universe
  ·Recovery: The Way Out
  

• WORKSHOP: Work Hard and Like It: Attitude and latitude

  Like anything else in life, work can lose its lustre. What began as an interesting and challenging opportunity can sometimes fade into boredom and drudgery. This keynote address explores the issues surrounding job, career and great work. We look at the gifts that you bring to the workplace but within the bigger context of your relationship to the world and the communities you find yourself in. We look at ways to improve, fortify and creatively explore your attitudes and aspirations in the ever-changing world that we are all living in. This session will give you practical ways to work better and prescriptions for liking what you do best.
  This session will help you:

  ·Assess your present work life in the light of your signature strengths
  ·Re-think your choices that bring you frustration/contentment in your work
  ·Think green. Not only in terms of ecology but personal spirituality
  ·Look beyond worn down paths and honour the un-imagined possibilities
  ·Dare make imaginative choices for YOUR future
  

  Kelly Walker has never been stuck in the mud. Some have criticized his twists and turns in life as signs of instability. On the contrary, he has always been ready to forge ahead in new ways with daring and great courage (and a bit of fear). He has mastered the art of creative living and has been able to live an exciting life at every turn of the bend. He looks forward with great anticipation what life will look like in his eighties. His wisdom could become yours.

• Breakthrough: A Prescription for Healthy Productivity

  A common complaint heard these days is how difficult it is to balance the multitude of stresses in our lives. Indeed, burnout is a common fear among many. Drawing on his own experience with "too much stress", Kelly lays out a simple yet effective prescription for avoiding the negativity of situations and maximizing the positive. He lays out a positive and realistic plan to ensure we have enough energy to do what we really want to do.

• Leaders Leading Leaders: More than just bosses

  Although it is true that true leaders are born not made, they need to be trained for great leadership. Most leaders find that they are simply "thrown into the job". They need to be made aware of their gifts, convinced of their abilities and directed in the role of leadership in order to succeed.
  
  Kelly Walker has always been a leader. As Prior of the Dominican Order, he assumed heavy responsibilities in his early 30s. As a therapist he developed great skills of listening. As a speaker, mentor, author and entertainer he has influenced people in their leadership roles for many years.
  
  This presentation on the art and skill of leadership will help your employees embrace this important role with enthusiasm, care and joy.
  
  The following topics will be treated with insight, humour and skill. As a result, you will:

  ·Understand that good leadership requires "practice"
  ·See that power does not automatically mean authority
  ·Gain tools for better self knowledge and self actualization
  ·Be readier to be present to your employees
  ·Realize that all people in your organization count
  ·Be aware that you should be able to articulate your vision for everyone
  ·Find ways to clear out dead wood
  ·See the value of a mentor for yourself
  ·Celebrate your company
  ·Prescribe hope
  

• Dancing on the Ark: Facing Change in Uncertain Times

  Based on Kelly's second book, this presentation details what it takes to deal with our rapidly changing society and how to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. This presentation is in response to many queries Kelly received from people struggling to cope with the uncertainty of their lives. This is a very positive look forward into the next century.

• Your presentation was exactly what our audience needed to hear, and your style of delivery was energetic, humorous and compassionate.
  Humber College
• Kelly is such a good speaker and has such a way with motivating a crowd. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed him. If the chance arises I would definitely have him back again. I would recommend Kelly in an instant.
  General Motors of Canada
• Using storytelling, music, information and humour, you elegantly encouraged us to attend to the importance of healers taking care of themselves. The tears, laughter, nods and thoughtful silences were all evidence of the degree to which your audience was engaged.
  Trail BC
• Your instinct for what was required was correct and certainly made an impact on jaded public servants.
  Training and Development Canada

• 
  January 2006

  Growing Somewhere: Living Life After Mid-Life

  
  This book captures Kelly’s personal wisdom about this “last gift of time”. It provides a compassionate, insightful and hopeful field guide for enjoying the autumn trails of life. It is a practical book, filled with humour, common sense and encouragement for those over 50.

  
  
• 
  January 2000

  Dancing on the Ark: What Every Noah Ought to Know

  In this book, Kelly Walker proposes the ancient story of Noah and his Ark as a "first story" in order to give us some needed wisdom for our transitions. He explores the inner dynamics of personal and uninvited change, the challenges it offers. His insightful and very personal observations provide hope for those trapped inside the loneliness and fear that often accompany major life changes. It helps to learn that you are not alone and that progress through difficult times can be enriching and uplifting.

  
  
• 
  January 1995

  Loss of Soul

  This is a book about emotional breakthrough. Many of us are caught in the web of boundary-less work, caring, or depression. Kelly Walker understands personally the ensuing burnout because he experienced it himself. He gives us a positive and practical remedy for healing and an approach to health that involves the whole person—body, emotions and spirit. He calls upon the person in distress to get involved with the sadness and create a hopeful future.

  
  

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