Keynote Speaking

Give your audience the gift of laughter, insight, and practical, industry-specific conflict resolution skills they can apply immediately.

From executive boardrooms to government agencies, Sam Imperati brings over 30 years of conflict resolution expertise to the stage with a unique blend of professional wisdom and self-effacing humor that captivates audiences, transforms perspectives, and delivers practical tools that can be used the next day.

Why Sam?

While he is a published author and has taught at grad schools (MBA and Law), Sam isn't just another "talking head" or "suit" with theoretical knowledge. As a seasoned mediator who has resolved high-stakes disputes across sectors, Sam delivers battle-tested strategies wrapped in stories that stick, humor that disarms, and insights that transform.

Learn proven techniques to navigate tensions and transform potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and innovation.

From closely-held businesses to government agencies, these skills transcend industry boundaries.

"Sam is funnier than heck! His humor continually stayed on point with the presentation. Outstanding, masterful and practical! One of the best training sessions I've ever attended!" — Workshop Participant"

Sam's performative brilliance and self-effacing humor tend to mask his more serious intellectual contributions to our field."

— Jim M., Founder and General Counsel of Mediate.com

Speaking Topics

Conflict Mastery in Business

Perfect for: Business associations, Trade groups, executive retreats, and leadership conferences

Turn destructive conflict patterns into productive collaboration

Navigate challenging personalities without losing your sanity

Transform entrenched positions into shared solutions

Develop communication strategies that prevent escalation

Negotiation Intelligence

Perfect for: Mid and senior executives, managers, anyone who negotiates deals

Move beyond positional bargaining to interest-based solutions

Identify psychological traps that derail negotiations

Deploy strategic questioning to uncover hidden opportunities

Build agreements that strengthen relationships

Leading Through Tension

Perfect for: Leadership teams, organizational transitions, mergers

Create psychological safety during challenging conversations

Turn resistance into engagement

Balance accountability with empathy

Build resilient teams that thrive under pressure

Humor as a Practitical Conflict Resolution Tool

Perfect for: Any audience needing a fresh approach to conflict that actually works without buzz words

Discover how strategic humor disarms

tension

Learn when (and when not) to use levity in difficult situations

Transform perspectives through storytelling

Build rapport across differences

The Experience

Sam's presentations are:

Interactive: Participants don't just listen; they engage, practice, and experience

Customized: Each presentation is tailored to your organization's specific challenges

Actionable: Attendees leave with practical tools they can implement immediately

Memorable: Complex concepts delivered through stories and step-by-step processes that work

Entertaining: Because learning should never be boring 

"Sam is funnier than heck!”

“His humor continually stayed on point with the presentation.”

“Outstanding, masterful and practical!”

“One of the best training

sessions I've ever attended!"

From compiled evaluations at the Southern Oregon

Occupational Safety and Health Conference

What Others Are Saying


"Thanks so much for the terrific presentation you gave to the Executive Officers Club... You were a big hit! You managed to combine a great deal of solid, nuts and bolts information with just the right dose of humor... As someone who also gives speeches, I take my hat off to you – you had our group in the palms of your hands. Our business executives absolutely loved you." — Chuck W., Chairman Executive Officers Club

"Mr. Imperati's funny, self-critical life stories made the conference! He is the best teacher I have ever had... not only does he change how you visualize and will handle dispute resolution, but he ultimately transforms how you deal with all

conflict in your everyday life."

— Elsie B., Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Ada County ID

 Ready to Elevate Your Next Event?


Let's discuss how Sam can create a customized keynote or workshop that addresses your organization's specific challenges and opportunities.

Decision-Making Cheat Sheet

Essential Tools for Resolving Conflicts and Making Better Decisions

Get instant access to my one-page toolkit full of practical techniques for navigating complex disagreements and making better decisions.

This handy cheat sheet includes the following:

The SWAP-LION preparation framework for successful negotiations

10 steps for decision-making success from problem identification to implementation

Proven conflict resolution model to identify, explore, and implement solutions

The VECS method for handling emotional venting

Powerful question techniques to keep conversations productive when tensions rise

Have questions?

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