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Author & productivity expert for leaders

Zena Everett

Eliminate productivity drag and boost team performance with Zena Everett, leadership and workplace productivity speaker. Zena works with executives and HR leaders on focus, decision-making, and delegation, delivering award-winning insights for organisations including Vistage, Henley Business School, and London Business Forum.

Trusted by Vistage, Henley Business School, London Business Forum

Zena Everett, Speaker | Leadership & Productivity Coach
Zena Everett

Zena Everett

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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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Zena Everett's biography

At a glance

  • Expert on focus, prioritisation, and productivity drag
  • Award-winning author of The Crazy Busy Cure and Badly Behaved People
  • Executive coach at Oxford and Henley Business Schools
Zena Everett is an organisational psychologist and leadership expert who helps leaders and teams cut through overload, sharpen priorities, and improve performance in an increasingly distracted, AI-driven workplace. She is the author of Mind Flip, The Crazy Busy Cure, and Badly Behaved People, and works globally as a leadership coach and workshop facilitator. A former recruitment entrepreneur, she holds an MSc in Organisational Psychology and Career Management, with further postgraduate qualifications in psychological coaching and leadership from MIT Sloan Business School. Zena has coached at Oxford Saïd Business School’s Executive MBA and is Associate Faculty at Henley Business School. Her work focuses on the gap between strategic priorities and how organisations actually spend time. She helps leaders reduce productivity drag caused by poor communication, inefficient meetings, digital overload, and unclear decision-making. Drawing on research, coaching psychology, and commercial experience, Zena gives audiences practical ways to improve focus, delegation, feedback, accountability, and leadership confidence without adding unnecessary complexity or jargon. Audiences leave with realistic tools to reclaim time, strengthen team ownership, and create healthier performance cultures. Her sessions combine evidence-based insight with relatable examples, helping leaders think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and protect time for strategic work in demanding environments. Book Zena Everett for practical leadership insight that helps organisations focus, simplify, and perform better under pressure.

Zena's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Crazy Busy: Find Time For Priorities In An AI world
Zena Everett opens with a challenge most leaders recognise immediately: the team is working hard, yet strategy keeps losing to the urgent. In a world where AI accelerates the pace of work without clarifying its direction, she argues that clear thinking — not more effort — is the real competitive edge. Drawing on research showing that up to 40% of working time is lost to productivity drag, Zena gives audiences practical tools to strip out inefficient meetings, decision bottlenecks, and digital noise, and reclaim the time that belongs to judgement, creativity, and leadership.
Bringing Pre-Holiday Clarity To Every Day
Zena Everett explores why people do their most focused, decisive work in the hours before a holiday — and how to replicate that clarity every day. She unpacks the productivity illusion: the habit of treating effort and time spent as proxies for value, when neither guarantees that the right work is getting done. Audiences leave with a practical framework for choosing priorities over distractions, pushing back professionally on low-value demands, and compressing tasks to the time they actually deserve.
Controlling The Controllables
In a session designed for teams facing sustained pressure and competing demands, Zena Everett draws on her background in organisational psychology to help participants reconnect with their own priorities and energy. The format is deliberately interactive and psychologically safe: attendees name what they are carrying, explore how it is affecting their focus and performance, and work through practical tools for staying grounded. Participants leave with immediate, personal actions and a clearer sense of where their attention should go.
Masterclass: Working Smarter Together
What if teams could win back 40% of their week, not by working harder, but by removing the blockers that slow them down, fragment focus, and keep people in silos? Zena Everett helps organisations identify and eliminate productivity drag: the unclear outcomes, inefficient meetings, poor communication, lengthy decision-making, and endless digital interruptions that quietly consume days of talent and energy. This fast-paced, interactive masterclass uses live polling to surface each team's top blockers, then works through them in-session, with every participant leaving having removed at least one live blocker before the day is done.

Why we recommend booking Zena

Zena brings together the commercial insight of a former recruitment entrepreneur, years of executive coaching experience, and a strong academic grounding in organisational psychology and leadership. Audiences consistently rate her content highly because it is evidence-based, immediately usable, and delivered without jargon.

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Trusted by Vistage, Henley Business School, London Business Forum

Testimonials

We wrapped up the Emerald programme last week, and I wanted to let you know that your session was highlighted as a real standout. The team not only valued the content but also appreciated your style and approach—they felt you truly focused on what they needed. Thank you for that!

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

We asked colleagues to rate the event overall (we normally score 4-4.3) – the rating for the event this time was 4.68 – our highest ever! Feel free to take whatever credit you like for that! 95% of colleagues felt that they were clear or very clear on action they needed to take as a result of what they had learned.

Lloyds Bank

Content satisfaction score was 98.2% Very happy with this score. Average score for our events is 97.5% Executive Forum Ireland

Executive Forum Ireland

Featured Projects

Zena Everett - Badly Behaved People book cover
Zena Everett - The Crazy Busy Cure book cover
Zena Everett - Mind Flip book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Zena Everett for my next event?
Email zena.everett@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 Zena'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.

Zena Everett structures her sessions around a practical framework built on organisational psychology research, using the statistic that up to 40% of working time is lost to productivity drag as an anchor. She combines evidence-based insight with interactive exercises in which participants identify their own inefficiencies and leave with specific, personal actions.

What is Zena Everett's speaking style like?
Zena Everett structures her sessions around a practical framework built on organisational psychology research, using the statistic that up to 40% of working time is lost to productivity drag as an anchor. She combines evidence-based insight with interactive exercises in which participants identify their own inefficiencies and leave with specific, personal actions.

Zena Everett structures her sessions around a practical framework built on organisational psychology research, using the statistic that up to 40% of working time is lost to productivity drag as an anchor. She combines evidence-based insight with interactive exercises in which participants identify their own inefficiencies and leave with specific, personal actions.

What topics does Zena Everett specialise in?
Zena Everett speaks on productivity and prioritisation in AI-driven workplaces, pre-holiday clarity as a daily performance framework, and managing focus under sustained pressure. She is the author of The Crazy Busy Cure and holds an MSc in Organisational Psychology, with executive coaching roles at Oxford Saïd Business School and Henley Business School.

Zena Everett speaks on productivity and prioritisation in AI-driven workplaces, pre-holiday clarity as a daily performance framework, and managing focus under sustained pressure. She is the author of The Crazy Busy Cure and holds an MSc in Organisational Psychology, with executive coaching roles at Oxford Saïd Business School and Henley Business School.

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There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

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You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

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Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

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.

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Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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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.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, please email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

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.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.