Skip to content
A new lens on why improvement initiatives stall: Understand the structural dynamics that cause leaders to resist the very changes they commissioned, and how to work with those dynamics rather than against them.Practical approaches to creating ownership without authority: Learn how to shift from seeking buy-in (which means you've already lost) to building genuine collective ownership across every level of the organization.A framework for leading through complexity: Walk away with the See–Form–Act model for collaborative leadership that helps teams navigate uncertainty and surface the hidden intelligence that command-and-control structures miss.Strategies for bridging the gap between executives and frontline workers: Discover how to get the CEO and the person who cleans the floors on the same page, not through persuasion, but through structures that make shared ownership natural.
Meet with your team to prepare for the event and ensure that what I'm delivering aligns with the goals of the conference and complements your other programmingRecord a custom promotional video you can use to generate excitement for the eventConduct interviews with 2-3 MLC members to tailor examples and language to the specific challenges your practitioners faceTravel a day in advance to ensure I arrive on time and well-restedParticipate in any panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or other events where my presence might add value during the conference
Discussion Document for Dave Kippen Heidi Sheffield - Michigan Lean Consortium - Navigating Lean: Anchored in Connection
Hey Dave and Heidi, Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me about the Michigan Lean Consortium Annual Conference this August. I really enjoyed our conversation and learning more about your community of practitioners who are doing the hard work of driving continuous improvement across Michigan.
Dave, when you said that the lean world has "focused on the tools for far too long" and that it's really "all about leadership and connection," I felt like you were describing exactly why I do what I do. And Heidi, your challenge of getting the CEO and the person who cleans the floors on the same page, genuinely owning the process together, is precisely the shift my talk is designed to create. The tools aren't broken. The leadership structures those tools are deployed within are what's failing us.
Below are the details for my keynote experience and all that's included. I've also provided a custom session description and bio tailored specifically for the MLC community. Feel free to share this page with Josh, Maggie, and any other decision-makers and stakeholders involved. I've got August 5th and 6th tentatively held on my calendar, so let me know as soon as you're ready to lock it in.
Should you have any questions before then, by all means don't hesitate to reach out to me.
In friendship,
— Peter
Keynote Session Description
The Pyramid Has Collapsed: Abundant Leadership for Continuous Improvement Practitioners
Something is broken in the continuous improvement world. We know the tools. We know the lingo. We can execute a flawless value stream map and move from A to B with precision. And yet we're not making the difference we know is possible. The gap isn't in our methodologies. It's in the leadership structures those methodologies are being deployed within.
Continuous improvement practitioners face a unique challenge: you're asked to drive transformation while working within systems that resist it. You're expected to create ownership without authority, generate buy-in across every level from the C-suite to the shop floor, and somehow get leaders who think they're already adaptive to see their own blind spots. Meanwhile, the pace of change (driven by AI, automation, and market volatility) is accelerating beyond what traditional approaches can handle.
In this powerful, story-driven keynote, Peter Laughter shares a new model of leadership built for practitioners who must create change in environments they don't control. Drawing from the moment Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pivoted mid-speech to deliver "I Have a Dream" (a decision sparked by a colleague's interruption), this session explores what it means to lead when the people around you hold insights you cannot see, and when the greatest breakthroughs come from letting go of control rather than grasping for more.
What You'll Gain from This Session
When the pyramid collapses, leadership doesn't disappear. It redistributes. The practitioners who learn to work with this shift, rather than against it, will be the ones who finally deliver the transformational results that have remained just out of reach.
Join Peter Laughter for a dynamic, story-driven session that will give you tools, language, and a fundamentally new way of thinking about leadership, one you'll still be talking about long after the conference ends.
Trailer for The Pyramid Has Collapsed
Testimonials
- Here's what event organizers have said about working with me:
Hire Peter now! What a wonderful keynote speaker!
If you measure a speaker by how many people line up after their talk just to shake their hand or ask a question, Peter is in a league of his own. He has a rare ability to captivate and inspire; connecting with audiences in a way that feels personal and engaging with a great mix of humor, energy, and impactful insights.
I’m giving myself a well-deserved pat on the back for booking Peter Laughter as my closing keynote. His performance was a masterclass in wit and wisdom, sparking thought-provoking moments that held the audience in a captivated silence - you could hear a pin drop. From start to finish, he commanded the stage, weaving stories that resonated deeply, leaving the crowd eager for more. The applause and cheers that followed were a testament to his impact. Without a doubt, I’d recommend his storytelling prowess to anyone looking to leave their audience inspired and spellbound.
Working With Peter Laughter
We will actively work to ensure your conference delivers lasting value for your practitioners. I provide much more than just a keynote speech. I collaborate with you and your team before and after the event to make sure it resonates with your specific community.
Whenever possible, I will:
All Inclusive Session Fee
I am happy to work within the MLC keynote speaker package as outlined:
Registration and entry to the entire Annual Conference and all activities (August 5-8, 2026)
Tickets/admittance to bonus/external events (boat tour, game night, etc.)
A vendor table to display materials and connect with attendees during breaks
Up to 3 nights' accommodations at the conference lodging venue
Up to $2,000 travel and other expense reimbursement
Total package value: $4,340
In exchange, I would ask for two things that would be tremendously valuable as I continue building my speaking practice:
Video testimonials from a few passionate MLC members after the event, assuming the keynote delivers the value we're both expecting
Introductions to MLC members who serve on boards of other associations or organizations that might benefit from this message
Contact: peter@peterlaughter.com | 917-523-7886
Next Steps
I have August 5th and 6th reserved on my calendar. I'm really excited about the possibility of delivering this keynote to the MLC community, practitioners who are doing the work and deserve fresh thinking that actually helps them make the difference they're striving for.
I know you're speaking with other candidates this week and next, and I respect your process. Please feel free to share this document and my video trailer with Josh and Maggie as you work toward your decision. I'm happy to answer any questions or provide additional materials that would be helpful.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please don't hesitate to reach out. My cell is 917-523-7886 (and I actually answer my phone) or .
Talk soon, Peter
Speaker Bio
Peter Laughter | Speaker on Abundant Leadership in the Age of Disruption
Peter Laughter helps business leaders and practitioners rethink how they lead in a world defined by rapid technological change and growing complexity. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience (including founding the first SaaS platform for enterprise contingent labor), Peter has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. His companies have earned national recognition, including the Inc. 500, and served global clients across multiple sectors.
Peter understands the frustration of trying to drive change within systems that resist it. His leadership philosophy was transformed during his time on the board of a Quaker school, where he experienced firsthand the power of distributed decision-making and saw how traditional hierarchies block the very insights organizations most need to access.
A TEDx speaker on Radical Empathy and a three-time Moth Story Slam winner, Peter combines deep business insight with compelling storytelling. His keynote, The Pyramid Has Collapsed, provides audiences with actionable frameworks for moving beyond command-and-control leadership to unlock the collective intelligence of their teams.
Peter brings both vision and practicality to every stage. Audiences leave his sessions inspired, challenged, and equipped to lead with greater adaptability, connection, and impact.
Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ··· in the right corner or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.