Each month, I do an email blast to the various speaker bureau folks who have booked me through the years - about 260 people at this point, These are busy people - constantly juggling client requests, managing various speakers (some of whom might be quite complex to manage given their profile), chasing opportunities and learning about new topics.
With that being the case, I've come to keep my message - a key way of keeping them up to date - shorter and to the point., but also something that might be relevant to them. I also used it as a reminder about me - because, top-of-mind matters!
Here's what I sent yesterday. It speaks for itself with powerful guidance that can apply to just about anything.
Decision fatigue is real. Breaking through is what matters!
Let's talk about why clients can't make up their minds in 2025!
Noticed clients taking forever to pick speakers lately? It's not you - it's decision fatigue!
I remember seeing a post somewhere on LinkedIn recently that something like 1.5 million people have either 'speaker' or 'keynote speaker' in their profile - no wonder clients are feeling overwhelmed.
This is making it difficult for them to select a speaker - and this is combined with the decision fatigue they are already facing.
Decision Fatigue? What's that?
In my 30+ years of speaking about leadership and innovation, I've often shared insights with audiences about the issues people have with making decisions. Here's what I know - simply put, our brains get tired after making too many choices. Each decision uses mental energy, and eventually, we run out of gas. When we run out of gas, we do the easiest thing possible - we stop making decisions.
Recent studies highlight just how real this problem is:
- One study suggests we spend 50% of our working day making decisions
- We make 100+ significant decisions daily, plus thousands of micro-choices (emails, word choices, etc.)
- Decision quality drops by up to 40% after making multiple back-to-back decisions
- 73% of professionals report postponing important decisions due to mental fatigue
I've also noticed that decision paralysis becomes significantly worse during periods of volatility.
Back in 2002, I identified what was happening in the meetings and events industry as what I called "aggressive indecision" - people simply refusing to commit to anything due to overwhelming uncertainty.
I think that's where we are at right now.
Your clients' reality
By the time they're looking at your speaker options, they've already made too many decisions that day. Their brain is basically saying, "Not another choice!"
Think about it:
- They're juggling hybrid teams
- Dealing with endless emails
- Making business calls all-day
- Navigating economic uncertainty
No wonder they ghost you after initially seeming excited!
Their mental batteries are drained - particularly when they are flooded with too many speaker options, many of whom might have an uncertain track record.
They make the decision easy by deferring it, avoiding it, and not thinking about it.
How to break through
Here's how to make it easier for mentally drained clients - make it easy for them to make decisions.
- Send options in the morning when energy is highest
- Limit choices to 3 top speakers max
- Make a clear recommendation - "This one's perfect because..."
- Package decisions together instead of piecemeal follow-ups
- Use simple visuals that make comparisons easy
Understanding decision fatigue isn't just interesting psychology - it's your secret weapon for closing more deals with less hassle!
Breaking Through Decision Fatigue – How I Can Help!
As someone who's spent 30+ years helping organizations navigate change, I've seen firsthand how decision fatigue affects leadership teams.
Perhaps the most important thing is they want help from someone else to reassure them they've made the right decision - by reducing the risk in their decision.
That's where experience matters.
When decision-makers are overwhelmed by options, they need someone who can:
- Deliver proven insight rather than experimental concepts
- Provide customized content that addresses their specific industry challenges
- Offer flexible formats from high-energy keynotes to interactive workshops
- Delivers insight that is based on 30+ years of experience
- Knows how to work with a CEO or senior-level event owner to align to their core message
Organizations like Disney, NASA, the World Bank, and Mercedes-Benz booked me because I helped transform complex trends into clear, actionable insights for their teams that could be implemented immediately.
For your clients suffering from decision fatigue, I think I represent one less difficult choice. My presentations are continually refreshed with emerging trends, ensuring relevance even for repeat engagements.
Let me help you give your clients the decision-making shortcut they desperately need in 2025!
Futurist Jim Carroll knows that when the future gets uncertain, the innovator provides clarity.