Octagon Experts Bureau
Mimi Nicklin
Empathy Advocate, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author
Mimi is one of the leading voices in empathetic leadership globally and is recognised as the #1 Emotional Intelligence Speaker in the USA, 2026, with a reach of over 5 Million people worldwide.
Areas of Expertise
Engagement Types
Mimi’s Point of View
Watch on YouTube ↗About Mimi
Mimi Nicklin is the #1 Emotional Intelligence Keynote Speaker in the USA (2026) and a leading voice on human connection at work.
She speaks to the problem every leader faces. Engagement is falling, trust is fragile, Gen Z feels misunderstood and leaders are overwhelmed. Mimi puts a number on it: a $9 trillion empathy gap that drains performance, retention and innovation.
Her answer is AI + HI = ROI. In the AI era, human intelligence is the competitive advantage. Through Listening Led Leadership™ and her A.L.U.R. framework, Mimi turns empathy into a practical performance capability.
The result is a keynote that shifts the room. Audiences leave with a new mindset, tools to use the next morning and a commitment to lead with presence and connection. Organisers get a speaker who is charismatic, authentically warm and unforgettable, as well as neuroscience informed and data driven.
Mimi has reached 5 million people and trained over 45,000 professionals for Shell, Capgemini, Emirates and SAP. A bestselling author of four books, she has shared stages with Bill Gates and spoken live on BBC to 85 million viewers.
A former Executive Creative Director and Managing Director, she speaks the language of business, and of people.
Watch Mimi in Action
Signature Talks
Keynote
The Empathy Algorithm: The Human Skills AI Can’t Compete With / Human Skills In The Age Of AI
Keynote
The Connection Prescription: The New Rules for Leadership, Influence and Success
Keynote
The Empathy Effect: The Secret To Moving From Invisibility To Influence
Ideal For
Mimi is trusted by organisations navigating AI, cultural pressure, and human transformation to equip leaders with the listening, understanding, and emotional intelligence required to sustain performance and wellbeing . Mimi reframes empathy, listening and belonging as hard human skills grounded in neuroscience.
What People Say
“Mimi is incredible and the epitome of a modern leader with high IQ but even higher EQ. Few can deliver at her consistently high standard. We have booked her repeatedly and will continue to do so.”
“"Mimi is an absolute rockstar in the world of leadership and empathy coaching. On every occasion, Mimi has left the audience mesmerised with her content and delivery. Book her!"”
“Passion best describes Mimi and her work. With a professional background that bridges business, science, and humanity, she shows why empathy is essential. She believes a more empathetic world is a better world and I do too. But even more practically, the world is better with more Mimi in it. ”
Featured In
Live on Fox News, Washington
In this exclusive interview on FOX 5 News DC Weekend Live, Mimi Nicklin joins Julie Donaldson to discuss the loneliness epidemic.
Live on ABC News, Alabama
In this insightful segment on Talk of Alabama, Mimi Nicklin dives deep into the modern "connection crisis."
Live Radio: KMOX Radio
In this segment on KMOX Radio, host Megan Lynch sits down with best-selling author and empathy advocate Mimi Nicklin.
ABC News: Texas Live
Mimi joins ABC News to look at the Connection Crisis across the USA and how we turn it around.
BBC News, Worldwide
Mimi joins the BBC live news to 85 Millions views to unpack the loneliness epidemic
Boston Radio Live: Nightside with Dan Rea
Why Are Young People Unhappy? Tune in to this episode of NightSide with Dan Rea on WBZ News Radio 1030, with Empathy Advocate Mimi Nicklin.
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