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Speaker & perfectionism expert

Thomas Curran

Transform workplace achievement culture with Dr. Thomas Curran, speaker and perfectionism expert. Thomas helps organisations combat burnout and boost productivity through evidence-based strategies, delivering insights featured in his international bestseller and TED Talk with 3+ million views.

Trusted by CPP Investments, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Swedbank, Maxman Consultants

Dr. Thomas Curran, Speaker | Expert on Perfectionism
Thomas Curran

Thomas Curran

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

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+44 203 835 2929

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Thomas Curran's biography

At a glance

  • The world's leading expert on perfectionism
  • Author of international bestseller The Perfection Trap
  • TED speaker with over three million views
Dr Thomas Curran is a psychology professor at the London School of Economics who specialises in perfectionism research, offering practical strategies to combat its negative effects on wellbeing and workplace productivity. Tom has shared his insights through a TED Talk viewed over three million times. His work has featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and TIME, making him a leading voice on perfectionism. He is also the author of the international bestseller The Perfection Trap. Through his work, Tom helps organisations identify how perfectionism undermines performance using evidence-based approaches. He demonstrates how unrealistic standards contribute to employee burnout, reduced innovation, and decreased productivity. To combat this, he provides practical frameworks for fostering healthier achievement cultures that balance excellence with wellbeing. Audiences leave Tom's presentations with tools to recognise perfectionist tendencies in themselves and their teams, practical techniques for setting realistic standards that encourage growth rather than paralysis, and strategies to create workplace environments where creativity and sustainable success can flourish. Book Tom to transform your organisation's relationship with achievement and unlock the potential trapped by perfectionism.

Thomas's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Perfectionism Paradox (Truths and Myths)
In his talk, Dr Thomas Curran delves into the complexities of perfectionism, highlighting its dual nature. While perfectionists strive for excellence, they often face burnout, anxiety, and indecisiveness due to their fear of failure. Through compelling case studies and research, Tom reveals how releasing the need for perfection can enhance performance and fulfilment. Attendees will learn about the differences between high standards and perfectionism, its impact on well-being, and effective strategies for individuals and organisations to combat its negative effects.
Combatting Self-Criticism
In his talk, Dr Thomas Curran examines the detrimental effects of self-criticism on morale and self-confidence. He presents case studies and recent research to illustrate how perfectionism fosters negative self-beliefs, undermining motivation and personal growth. Tom also presents innovative strategies for cultivating self-compassion and practising gratitude, which can effectively counter self-criticism. Attendees will learn how to develop a kinder perspective on work and life, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being.
Combatting Imposterism
Dr Thomas Curran discusses imposterism, a persistent feeling of inadequacy despite success, and its connection to perfectionism. He explores how these issues undermine confidence and hinder professional growth. Through evidence-based strategies, Tom provides actionable insights to help attendees overcome these challenges. Participants will learn effective techniques to combat imposterism and enhance their self-confidence.

Why we recommend booking Thomas

Dr Thomas Curran, psychology professor and bestselling author of The Perfection Trap, combines cutting-edge research with practical strategies to help organisations overcome perfectionism's hidden costs to productivity, innovation, and wellbeing. Book this internationally acclaimed expert to transform your team's relationship with achievement and unlock the creative potential currently trapped by unrealistic standards.

Check Thomas's availability

Trusted by CPP Investments, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Swedbank, Maxman Consultants

Testimonials

Thomas is a natural entertainer. Everyone in the room was hanging on every single word that exited his mouth!

Jaguar Land Rover

Thomas skilfully navigates through the complexities of perfectionism, shedding light on its often overlooked negative impacts.

Maxman Consultants

Thomas empowered us to all embrace imperfection.

Tapestry

Tapestry

Featured Projects

Thomas Curran - The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Thomas Curran for my next event?
Email thomas.curran@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Thomas's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Thomas Curran's speaking style like?
Dr Thomas Curran structures his talks around case studies and peer-reviewed research to illustrate how perfectionism affects wellbeing and workplace performance, translating findings into practical frameworks that audiences can apply to themselves and their organisations.
What topics does Thomas Curran specialise in?
Dr Thomas Curran speaks on perfectionism and its paradoxes, self-criticism and self-compassion, and imposterism and its links to professional confidence. He is a psychology professor at the London School of Economics, author of the international bestseller The Perfection Trap, and his TED Talk on perfectionism has been viewed over three million times.
What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.