SHRM Announces Global Leadership Expert and Best-Selling Author Simon Sinek as SHRM26 Main Stage Speaker
As an unshakeable optimist, Sinek envisions a world where people wake up inspired, feel safe, and end each day fulfilled.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, today announced Simon Sinek — renowned leadership expert, best-selling author, and founder of The Optimism Company -- will headline the SHRM26 Annual Conference & Expo Main Stage. Sinek will engage in a moderated conversation with Brad Rencher, CEO of BambooHR, on how belief, trust, and shared purpose shape leadership today—and how that shows up in the way people experience work on Wednesday, June 17.
SHRM26 will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, and virtually from June 15-19, 2026. The event is sponsored by BambooHR.
Sinek is celebrated for his influential books—Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game—and for his acclaimed TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” which has garnered over 60 million views. His innovative “Golden Circle” framework has inspired organizations worldwide to rethink their purpose and leadership approach.
As an unshakeable optimist, Sinek envisions a world where people wake up inspired, feel safe, and end each day fulfilled. A trained ethnographer, he studies how lasting impact is achieved, identifying patterns in thinking, acting, and communicating that foster environments where people operate at their best.
Sinek’s influence extends beyond his books and talks. His video on millennials in the workplace reached 80 million views in its first week and continues to shape global conversations. He shares inspiration through his podcast, A Bit of Optimism, and supports changemakers via Optimism Press, his publishing partnership with Penguin Random House.
His unconventional leadership insights have attracted international attention, leading to collaborations with leaders across industries, the US Armed Forces, government agencies, and the RAND Corporation. Active in the arts and for-impact sector, Sinek founded The Curve in 2021—a coalition dedicated to reforming modern policing and advancing justice with dignity, equity, and fairness.
About SHRM26
This June, SHRM26 welcomes Simon Sinek and hundreds of speakers who will share their knowledge and insights. Attendees will engage in best workplace practices, explore new data on the advancements of AI, and discover the latest trends supporting healthier workplace cultures.
Industry media/press professionals are invited to cover SHRM26, as thought leaders will discuss the evolving world of work. For press credentials & rules, contact: press@shrm.org.
About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.
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