MEET GREGORY

Gregory Offner is an author, musician, and award-winning keynote speaker.

Described as “one of the most inspirational people on the planet” by Leadercast, his work helps organizations to
attract, engage and retain exceptional employees.

This is his story.

PERFORMANCE WAS MY PASSION

Growing up, family get-togethers often turned into jam-sessions and I was always right in the middle. Nobody was surprised when I decided to study music at University. There, I would learn how to play my part such that it elevated the performance of those around me.

I learned that, in an ensemble, to stand out one must first learn to listen and blend in. As graduation approached, I was excited to use this knowledge – and my music – to make both an impact and an income.

BUT I HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE

As other graduates were finding their footing in the corporate world, I found pursuing music would mean choosing between making rent or “making ramen.” Instead of taking the risk and betting on myself, I did what most people do. I pushed passion aside in favor of a predictable paycheck from a large corporation.

Fitting in with my new corporate ensemble felt like learning how to harmonize with the musical ones. I met wonderful people, and learned so much, but despite all that I longed for the actual stage. So I started working nights and weekends at a piano bar.

THEN, DISASTER STRUCK

During a performance I suddenly lost my voice. Doctors said unless I underwent vocal cord surgery my voice loss would become permanent within a matter of weeks. In an instant both my passion and my paycheck were in jeopardy.

They said, if all went well with the surgery, I would be able to speak normally in six months. They said I should accept that my days of performing at piano bars were over, and to prepare for the possibility that my singing voice might never return.

I FELT HELPLESS AND DISCONNECTED

I would need more than a dozen surgeries, over the next decade, to repair and rebuild my vocal cords. After each one, I would spend weeks in total silence while they healed. The isolation left me desperate for a renewed sense of purpose.

One day, while watching an old video of myself performing at a piano bar, I had a breakthrough.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE EXPERIENCE OF WORK

I realized we used tools and techniques in the piano bar that virtually guaranteed audience engagement and retention. I wondered what would happen if organizations adapted these principles for the business world.

I compiled all my research, incorporated all my experience from the professional and piano bar world, and designed a keynote experience that addressed the real cause of employee disengagement and unwanted workforce turnover.

Since that breakthrough moment, I’ve been privileged to share my keynote and The Tip Jar Culture™️ framework with more than 100 organizations, on multiple continents.