The Upside of Disruption
Helping adaptable teams Pivot, Progress, and Reinvent When the Rules Change
Over 25 years I’ve gone from Corporate Consultant, working on multi-million dollar projects to CCMA-nominated country artist, Award winning comedian, keynote speaker & event emcee.
Disruption is what lead to these changes, but now I’ve learned how to go from “surviving it” to DRIVING IT”
With over 100 million views across TikTok and social platforms, appearances on Canada’s Got Talent, America’s Funniest Videos, TEDx, and sharing the stage with stars like Keith Urban, Rory combines comedy, storytelling, and music for a live, unforgettable keynote experience.
are you burning through profit, progress and people?
of employees globally are “not engaged”
– U.S Gallup Report
of leaders admit that their organizations are not fully ready to face upcoming changes.
3 Reasons Teams Resist Change
Fear of the unknown.
Lack of trust in leadership.
Loss of control and autonomy.
I have discovered patterns throughout the change in my careers, and developed a strategy to drive change, rather than survive it.
I have learned to recognize the disruption, and adapt rather than disconnect. I am on a mission to help leaders and organizations embrace change(AI, new leadership, policy changes, etc) , rather than let it burn out it’s most valuable asset, the employees.
Watch Rory in action…
Here is how we turn insight into lasting momentum
For Teams
"Transform change from an exhausting source of anxiety into a manageable roadmap, giving people the tools to confidently adapt rather than disconnect and burn out."
For Leaders
"A framework to navigate disruption with a resilient mindset, allowing them to drive seamless transitions without sacrificing their team's trust or morale."
For Organizations
"I help organizations build a future-proof culture that embraces massive shifts, like AI, new leadership, or policy updates, safeguarding their bottom line by protecting their most valuable asset."
He didn’t just open our conference, he elevated it…..
Gardiner delivered one of the most memorable and impactful keynote sessions our conference has ever seen. Addressing a global audience of resilience and business continuity professionals, Rory struck the perfect balance between laugh-out-loud humor and deeply relevant insight. (Read More)
From the moment he took the stage, he energized the room and set a powerful tone for the entire event. What truly set Rory apart, however, was the care and intentionality he brought long before he ever stepped on stage. He was exceptionally easy to work with collaborative, responsive, and fully invested in understanding our audience. He took the time to learn about resilience professionals and thoughtfully customized his presentation to ensure it was meaningful, relevant, and aligned with our conference objectives.
That preparation showed. His personal story, paired with tailored examples and practical takeaways, resonated deeply with attendees who live and breathe business continuity management. It never felt generic; it felt designed specifically for them. Participants consistently described his session as “the best plenary,” “uplifting,” “fantastic,” and “the best session I’ve been part of in the last few years.”
Rory has a rare ability to connect across industries and experience levels, blending authenticity, humor, and actionable insight in a way that feels both refreshing and impactful. He didn’t just open our conference, he elevated it. We would welcome him back without hesitation.
Buffy Leach
(Event Planner - DRI International)
When you book Rory, you get magic….
He recently joined us as a plenary speaker at our annual conference and absolutely wowed the entire room. Engaging, hilarious, and incredibly talented…his crowd work is next level. Our industry covers some serious ground, so having Rory kick things off with laughter, singing, and pure joy was exactly what we needed. His session was a breath of fresh air, setting a tone that carried through the entire event. (Read More)
But here’s what really stood out to me: Rory didn’t just crush it on stage and disappear. He stuck around afterward, spending real, quality time talking one-on-one with our team and attendees. He connected. He listened. He genuinely cared about the people in the room.
I can’t say enough good things about Rory Gardiner! When you book a keynote speaker, you hope they’ll be good. When you book Rory, you get magic.
That’s the difference between a speaker and someone who truly understands people. If you want someone who brings the energy and then stays to connect, book Rory. You won’t regret it!
Kristen Daukas
(Event Planner – Say Anything Media)