Matt Tenney

Leadership Expert, Social Entrepreneur, and Author of "Serve to Be Great"

In-Person Fee Range
$10,001 to $20,000
(Inquire for virtual fee)

Travels From
Tennessee, United States

Leadership Expert, Social Entrepreneur,
and Author of “Serve to Be Great”

Matt Tenney is a social entrepreneur and the author of Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom and The Mindfulness Edge. He is also an international keynote speaker, a trainer, and a consultant with the prestigious Perth Leadership Institute, whose clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Lessons from Prison

In January of 2001, Matt Tenney was arrested for attempting a fraud against the US government. He spent over 5 years confined to military prison as a result.

Lessons from the Monastery

But his greatest failure became the best thing that ever happened to him. He learned how to be happy with nothing, trained as a monk for over 3 years, and devoted his life to the service of others.

Lessons from the Non-Profit Boardroom

After transforming his greatest failure into the most important experience of his life, Matt has had a successful career as a sales team leader, co-founded and led two non-profits, and become a trainer with the prestigious Perth Leadership Institute, whose clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Consultant

Matt is also an international keynote speaker, a trainer, and a consultant with the prestigious Perth Leadership Institute, whose clients include numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Leadership Expert

Matt Tenney works with companies, associations, universities, and non-profits to develop highly effective leaders who achieve lasting success by focusing on serving and inspiring greatness in the people around them.  Matt envisions a world where the vast majority of people realize that effectively serving others is the key to true greatness.

Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom

In this inspiring yet content-rich program, Matt Tenney introduces the power of servant leadership through his story of spending 5.5 years confined to military prison for arranging an unauthorized delivery of government funds, learning to be happy with nothing, living like a monk for over 3 years, discovering the power of a life devoted to serving others, and co-founding and leading two non-profits. Matt will show you how to improve your capacity for servant leadership, and how that shift results in greater success as a leader as well as greater happiness. Drawing on insights from his experiences as a prisoner, monk, and social entrepreneur, as well as from some of the best workplace cultures in the world, you’ll walk away with powerful ideas and tools for developing the leadership skills that result in highly engaged, highly innovative, highly successful teams.

Serve to Be Great: How Being Selfless Will Help You Sell the Roof Off

In this inspiring yet content-rich program, Matt Tenney introduces the power of being selfless through his story of spending 5.5 years confined to military prison for arranging an unauthorized delivery of government funds, learning to be happy with nothing, living like a monk for over 3 years, discovering the power of a life devoted to serving others, and co-founding and leading two non-profits. Drawing on insights from his experiences as a prisoner, monk, sales team leader, and social entrepreneur you’ll walk away with powerful ideas and tools for developing the sales skills that result in closing more sales, generating more referrals, and enjoying coming to work every day.

Ethical Enlightenment: Insights on Ethics from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom

In the age of social media, one instance of unethical behavior can tarnish a brand overnight and have devastating effects on an organization. Is there a practical, realistic approach to prevent that from happening? In this inspiring yet content-rich program, Matt Tenney introduces powerful, evidence-based tools for achieving higher levels of ethics through his story of spending 5.5 years confined to military prison for arranging an unauthorized delivery of government funds, learning to be happy with nothing, living like a monk for over 3 years, discovering the power of a life devoted to serving others, and co-founding and leading two non-profits. Participants will walk away inspired to do the right thing even when it’s very difficult to do so. They’ll also be empowered with evidenced-based tools for consistently making the most ethical decisions and building a highly ethical culture.

Beginner’s Mind: The Ultimate Habit for Success

In this inspiring yet content-rich program, Matt Tenney introduces the power of mindfulness through his story of spending 5.5 years confined to military prison for arranging an unauthorized delivery of government funds, learning to be happy with nothing, living like a monk for over 3 years, discovering the power of a life devoted to serving others, and co-founding and leading two non-profits. Matt combines case studies and research in neuroscience to show you how a simple shift, called Beginner’s Mind, can literally rewire your brain in ways that will help you achieve greater success professionally, as a leader, and in life.

All Matt Tenney Books

The Mindfulness Edge: How to Rewire Your Brain for Leadership and Personal Excellence Without Adding to Your Schedule
Purchase Book
Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom
Purchase Book

“I attend many, many conferences. Your keynote was the BEST I have ever heard.”

- CEO | Cherokee County Federal Credit Union


“Matt Tenney is the BEST speaker I’ve ever heard at any event I have ever been to!”

- Sales Manager | Marriott Hotels


“Matt is one of the best speakers I have heard. He shared ideas and tools that will certainly help our partners to more effectively lead their teams and achieve better business outcomes. He also presented in a way that was very inspiring, and helped make our retreat a truly transformational experience.”

- CEO | EKS&H


“Probably the best speaker I’ve heard at any convention.”

- Director of Sales | Conrad Hotels

Check Matt Tenney Availability

Recent Books

The Mindfulness Edge: How to Rewire Your Brain for Leadership and Personal Excellence Without Adding to Your Schedule
Purchase Book
Serve to Be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, a Monastery, and a Boardroom
Purchase Book

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