For HR, leadership, and finance partners
Breaking Down the Numbers: The Cost of the Closet
What it actually costs when employees cannot bring themselves to work.
The cost of not being inclusive shows up in lower engagement, higher voluntary turnover, the price of replacing every person who quietly leaves, and innovation that never lands because someone in the room did not feel safe enough to say it. This keynote makes the cost legible.
Trailer
A 90-second look at the talk
A short trailer to give you a feel for the tone, the audience, and what you can expect on the day.
Trailer
A short trailer for this talk lands here. Speaking feedback and a longer sample appear below.
Overview
The numbers behind the cost of the closet
The cost of an employee who cannot bring themselves to work is rarely a single line on a budget. It is hidden in disengagement scores, replacement costs, the speed of innovation, and the quiet attrition of people who didn’t feel safe enough to bring their whole self to work.
Michael walks through the research with care: what the cost of the closet actually is, where it shows up in the business, and how it’s costing employers billions of dollars every year.
It is the talk for the leaders who need the financial case to defend the human one, and for the HR partners who already know the cost is real but have struggled to put it on paper.
Verified attendee feedback
What the rooms said
Combined, response-weighted scores from every delivery of this keynote, collected independently through Talkadot.
- 99%Engaging
- 98%Inspiring
- 98%Memorable
- 98%Relevant
- Michael was an amazing, engaging, entertaining speaker, but most of all, he was educational! He just made the list of my all time favorite Canadians! Attendee
- Michael is hilarious and informative. A lot of public speakers aren't very engaging or entertaining, but Michael was making jokes and keeping the session entertaining, while incredibly informative Attendee
- Super informative. I love that you spoke about the monetary case study aspects. Truly helpful! Thank you for delivering your presentation in such an engaging way. You definitely deserve an Oscar. Your video was stellar! Attendee
Ten-minute speaking sample
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Frequently asked
Quick answers before you reach out
How long is this keynote?
This keynote runs 60 minutes, adaptable shorter or longer.
Can it be delivered virtually?
Yes. This keynote is delivered in person or virtually, with the same structure and audience interaction in both formats. Virtual delivery uses Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or your platform of choice.
Who is this talk for?
Best for HR, finance partners, leadership teams, boards. The content also lands well with broader leadership audiences, ERG members, and anyone tasked with making DEIA real inside their organization.
Can the content be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every booking includes a prep call to tailor examples, language, and case studies to your sector, audience seniority, and the moment your organization is in. Customization is included in the speaking fee, not billed separately.
How do we book Michael for this talk?
Send an inquiry through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and budget range. You will hear back within two business days with availability, a fee quote, and a short proposal for the talk.
Bringing Michael to your stage
Tell us about the event, the audience, and what you want them to leave thinking about. We will come back with a short note on fit, format, and what a strong version of this looks like for your group.