Anthony McLean

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

• Culture, Wellness, and Inclusion: The Pillars of Workplace Belonging

  Imagine a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported, where diversity and mental wellness are not just initiatives but integral parts of the culture.

  In this presentation, Anthony McLean delves into the foundational element that bridges these two vital areas: workplace culture. Discover why a culture that values inclusion is essential for leveraging diversity, and how collective wellness habits can significantly improve workplace performance.

  McLean will share practical strategies for fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, helping organizations create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, this keynote will equip you with the tools to build a healthier, more inclusive workplace culture.

  Learning Outcomes:

  • Discover actionable insights for both personal self-care and collective wellness habits.
  • Learn how to approach mental health and diversity through the lens of empathy.
  • Understand why self-awareness is critical for successful wellness and inclusion initiatives.

• Fire Up Your Mental Health!

  How can we regain our enthusiasm, recapture our joy, and get the pep back in our step at work and at home? Mental health isn’t just about managing stress — it’s about sustaining energy, clear thinking, and resilience in the face of challenges. In this dynamic, high-energy keynote, Anthony McLean brings humour, insight, and practical tools to help audiences recharge, refocus, and find more joy in their daily lives. Whether kicking off a conference or wrapping up an event, this lively session will leave attendees feeling motivated, uplifted, and ready to take action.

  Learning outcomes include:

  • Discover healthy coping strategies to manage stress and enhance resilience.
  • Understand the vital role of exercise, sleep, hydration, and nutrition in overall wellness.
  • Develop a supportive mental health routine to stay energized, focused, and recharged.

• Microaggressions and Their Impact on Mental Health

  Microaggressions are often compared to paper cuts — seemingly small, but painful when they accumulate. In this dynamic talk, Anthony McLean unpacks the hidden harm of microaggressions in the workplace, encouraging participants to approach these situations with positive intent.

  Rather than focusing on “cancel culture,” this session emphasizes building a respectful, inclusive environment where everyone is called to a higher level of communication. Through engaging stories and practical strategies, McLean explores how small acts of exclusion affect employee mental health, performance, and sense of belonging.

  Audiences will walk away with the tools to foster self-awareness, support inclusive interactions, and build a positive workplace culture where everyone feels valued.

  Learning outcomes:

  • Recognize and address common microaggressions to create a more inclusive workplace.
  • Understand the cumulative impact of “subtle acts of exclusion” on mental health and performance.
  • Learn actionable ways to respond as a target, bystander, or when you’ve inadvertently caused a microaggression.

• Lead with Story: Transform the Way You Motivate and Inspire

  Information is cheap. Attention is expensive. Stories cut through the clutter. Whether you’re reinforcing company values, leading a team, or rallying people around a vision, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit.

  Join Anthony McLean, a professional screenwriter and author, as he shares how great leaders use storytelling to build trust, drive engagement, and create lasting impact. In this dynamic keynote, he equips audiences with simple, actionable frameworks that help craft compelling stories — even if you don’t consider yourself a storyteller. Walk away with the confidence to lead with story and inspire action in your organization.

  Learning outcomes include:

  • Discover how storytelling helps reinforce company values and shift workplace culture.
  • Learn McLean’s No S.W.E.A.T. framework to tell stories that engage and inspire.
  • Master the do’s and don’ts of storytelling to make your message stick.

• In Celebration of Educators

  This is an encouraging, morale-boosting talk to inspire educators who give their best every day. Teachers and administrators are often overwhelmed and sometimes feel burnt out by the end of the week. It’s easy to forget that the daily interactions we have with students are sometimes the most valuable moments of our day.

  In this laugh-out-loud presentation, Anthony McLean tells funny and inspiring stories about the teachers and administrators who changed his life by acknowledging his effort, encouraging his strengths, and pushing him to give his best. Every educator needs this reminder — the reward for not giving up on our students is the ability to make a difference and change the world one student at a time.

• Black History: Then and Now

  This is an inspiring Black History Month presentation that surveys where we were and where we’re going when it comes to racial equity. In looking at where we were, Anthony McLean celebrates civil rights pioneers like Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Martin Luther King Jr. (USA), and Viola Desmond (Canada). In looking at where we are, McLean shares the powerful story of marching peacefully with thousands of others in the wake of the George Floyd protest. Lastly, in looking at where we’re going, McLean encourages participants to be allies to the Black community in creating a world where everyone belongs. This is an upbeat and uplifting presentation that celebrates the progress we’ve made while encouraging the audience to continue the journey toward racial equity.