Speaking
My fourth grade teacher would not be surprised I talk for a living.
One of the greatest myths of leadership is that you must be in charge in order to lead.
I don’t buy that. Great leaders—whether they hold the title or not—learn how to be an influential presence wherever they are. When I speak, I show audiences what that looks like in real life and how they can practice it right where they are.
Meet Clay
Clay is the best-selling author of How To Lead When You’re Not In Charge, and How To Lead In A World of Distraction. For over two decades he worked at North Point Ministries, starting as a facilities intern (a.k.a. vice president of nothing) and eventually becoming the lead pastor of their largest campus. Clay is now a sought-after leadership speaker, engaging audiences that include the Atlanta Hawks, Mercedes Benz, Chick-fil-A, Federal Reserve Bank, and Terminus. Clay graduated from Georgia Tech with an Industrial Engineering Degree and continued on to acquire a Masters and Doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Clay and his wife, Jenny, have five children and live in Atlanta.
I speak at
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Most Requested Topics
Leadership
True leadership isn't about titles or hierarchy; it's about inspiring, guiding, and lifting others, drawing from personal experience and unyielding passion.
Influence
Influence goes beyond mere authority; it's a cultivated art of resonating with people, deeply understanding their motivations, and guiding them towards a shared vision.
Emotional Health
Our emotional health, often overlooked, is the bedrock of genuine leadership, empowering us to lead with authenticity, clarity, and resilience in every situation.
Trusted By
What People Are Saying About Me
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“Clay’s presentation on ‘How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge’ came just at the right time for our organization. His engaging, witty, and real-life approach to leadership is simple and applicable no matter where you are in your leadership journey. We appreciate Clay’s insights and the impact he has made on our associates.”
Scott Ault, Executive Vice President, Workplace Solutions, Mutual of Omaha
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"Clay doesn’t just speak; he moves people. His session on 'Bosses Are Out; Coaches Are In' lit a fire in our sales managers and reframed how we think about leadership. I’d bring him back in a heartbeat."
Lauren Seymour, GVP of Sales, Insulet
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"Clay has a way of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of what leadership really is. He reminded our team that it’s not about titles or authority—it’s about influence. His session struck the right balance between inspiration and practical takeaways. Our team walked away not just believing they could lead but knowing exactly how to start."
Doug Dawson, SVP of Revenue, Dallas Cowboys
Six Types of Working Genius
One type of coaching I do is with Working Genius. The Six Types of Working Genius is a powerful framework that helps people understand how they’re wired to contribute best at work and in life. When you know the kinds of work that give you energy—and the kinds that drain it—you become more self-aware, more productive, and far more effective.
At its core, Working Genius identifies six essential activities required in any kind of work and shows how they fit together. It gives individuals and teams a shared language for why some tasks feel effortless while others feel frustrating, and how to better leverage the strengths of the people around them.
Too many people feel underutilized or misunderstood in their roles. Too many teams feel stuck, misaligned, or unclear about how to move forward. Working Genius helps change that—leading to healthier collaboration, clearer expectations, and work that feels more meaningful and sustainable.
A typical Working Genius session lasts two to four hours and is designed to increase personal productivity, strengthen team alignment, and bring more clarity and energy to your culture. As a certified Working Genius facilitator, I bring both expertise and practical experience to help teams apply the model in ways that actually stick.
And if that feels like a bold claim, the plan is simple: help your team work better together… and maybe even enjoy it.
Fill out the form to check speaking availability.
Or, if you want a quicker, more human response, text me: (678) 462-8805.