LESLEY BUCKMAN | SPEAKER • FACILITATOR • AUTHOR

The human side of leadership is where things get interesting.

Human behaviour. Emotional intelligence. Communication. Neurodiversity. Culture.

Why do capable people still get in their own way?

Why does an experienced leader avoid a conversation they know they need to have? Why can someone genuinely value openness, yet become defensive when they’re challenged? Why do we ask people to take more ownership, then step in the moment they struggle?

These are the parts of leadership I find fascinating.

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked with people and leaders across the UK and Australia. What continues to interest me is the gap between what we know we should do and what actually happens when pressure, emotion, identity, different ways of thinking and other human beings enter the equation.

That’s where my talks begin.

I bring together leadership, human behaviour, emotional intelligence, communication and neurodiversity to help people recognise what is happening beneath the surface — in themselves, in others and in the cultures they create around them.

I want people to leave thinking:

“I hadn’t thought about it like that before.”

And, more importantly, to know what they might do differently because of it.

What I speak about

Every audience is different, so I don’t believe in simply pulling the same presentation off the shelf.

These are some of the conversations I bring into rooms. The emphasis and content can be shaped around your audience, your event and what’s happening in their world.

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Signature Talks

Every session is tailored to the event, the audience, and the brief. The topics below are a guide — each can be shaped into a keynote, conference session, or workshop format.

The Neurodivergent Advantage

The most creative, tenacious, and innovative people in many organisations are also the ones who have spent years suppressing who they are to fit in. This session changes how leaders see cognitive diversity — and what they do about it.

The Leader You Are Is the Culture You Create

Culture is created every day — in every decision, every conversation, every moment a leader chooses how to show up. This session brings leaders face to face with the culture they are creating right now, and what becomes possible when that act becomes intentional.

Leadership Identity and Internal Security

The leaders who sustain genuine impact are the ones who know who they are — and lead from that place regardless of the pressure around them. This session explores the relationship between identity, self-awareness, and the kind of leadership presence that changes every room it walks into.

Human Choice and Accountability

Every leader has a choice about who they are going to be. This session makes that choice conscious — exploring the relationship between values alignment, personal accountability, and the kind of leadership that creates lasting impact in the people and organisations it touches.

Resilience and Leading Through Change

Resilience is what allows leaders to move through pressure and uncertainty without losing themselves — or their people. This session addresses what actually builds and depletes it, and what leaders need to sustain the kind of performance that organisations rely on.

Communication Across Different Brain Types

The way your team hears you is rarely the way you intend to be heard. This session uses evidence-based behavioural tools and neurodiversity research to show leaders how differently people think, process, and respond — and what that means for the way they lead.

Formats available.

Duration and content are discussed and confirmed at enquiry. Every engagement is shaped around the event.

FORMAT	DURATION	BEST SUITED FOR
Keynote	45 — 60 minutes	Conferences, industry events, leadership summits
As required	Conference Session	Multi-speaker events, breakout sessions
Workshop Session	90 minutes — half-day Full day	Internal leadership days, team events, HR forums
Panel Appearance	As required	Industry panels, roundtables, moderated discussions
Podcast Guest	30 — 60 minutes	Leadership, HR, neurodiversity, and business podcasts
Internal Event	Flexible	Corporate leadership days, team conferences, culture events

The right fit for the right events.

I speak at events where the audience is ready to be challenged — and where the organiser wants their attendees to leave with something that genuinely stays with them.

Leadership conferences and summits
HR and people and culture forums
Neurodiversity and inclusion events
Industry association conferences — health, construction, government, professional services
Internal leadership days and culture events
Women in leadership events
Small business and entrepreneurship events

I am based on the Sunshine Coast and speak nationally. Travel is available for the right event.

What event organisersand audiences say.

At NQPHN, we are committed to cultivating a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. Recently, our organisation collaborated with Inspired Coaching Group to deliver six days of professional development training to all our employees in Cairns, Townsville, and Mackay. The Human Side of Work: Communication, Productivity & Wellbeing, delivered by Lesley Buckman, strengthened our relationship excellence skills by providing the tools to: ✅ navigate hard conversations with confidence and clarity ✅ describe accountability without judgment by staying "above the line" ✅ manage stress effectively ✅ maintain composure in challenging situations ✅ offer practical ways to dig deeper into issues rather than just tackling symptoms. We're proud to support our people so they can continue making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.

"I attended the Public Speaking workshop on the 22/09/2023 with Lesley. I would highly recommend this workshop for anyone who needs to hone their public speaking skills. Lesley's content and delivery were fabulous, the tools that she gave us to be able to get up and address an audience and deliver the information to we needed to get out was very effective. As well as being very professional, it was very engaging the strongest tool I took away for me personally was how to combat the nerves when up in front of an audience. I give this workshop five stars and will be recommending to my colleagues and clients. Thankyou Lesley, for an outstanding workshop."

I recently attended a workshop facilitated by Lesley, and I was truly impressed by her extensive knowledge, experience, and approachable demeanor. Lesley skillfully addressed a range of topics, offering not only solutions for various scenarios but also constructive feedback on how to navigate them effectively. Key takeaways for me included leading conversations with confidence, managing challenging discussions, and gaining insights into different behavior styles. I left the workshop feeling empowered and well-equipped thanks to the valuable knowledge Lesley shared

Across five interactive sessions, Lesley empowered our diverse group of international students to grow in confidence, leadership, and communication. Her expertise, warmth, and ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds were instrumental in the success of the program. Her tailored approach empowered our ambassadors to grow in confidence, develop strong leadership capabilities, and refine their communication skills.

Enquire about booking Lesley.

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