Keynote Presentation

Professional Sincerity®

The Human Factor in Every Critical Conversation

Most communication fails not because people say the wrong thing, but because the person they are talking to does not believe them. Professional Sincerity® is the quality that makes every other communication skill work, and it can be taught, practiced, and demonstrated consistently, regardless of the conversation you are walking into.

Jeffrey G. Scholz delivering a keynote presentation
The Central Argument

Authenticity is detectable.

People in high-stress situations, including a crisis encounter, a disciplinary meeting, a performance review, or an interview, are exceptionally good at sensing when someone is performing rather than present. They may not be able to name it, but they feel it, and it shapes every decision they make in that conversation.

Professional Sincerity® is not a technique. It is the quality of presence that makes technique possible. When it is absent, the best script in the world does not work. When it is present, even an imperfect conversation moves in the right direction.

What the Keynote Covers

Three areas.
One standard.

The presentation moves through three interconnected areas, each grounded in real-world experience from law enforcement, crisis negotiation, and professional training across sectors.

01

What Professional Sincerity® Actually Is

A clear, practical definition built on five observable principles. Not abstract values, but behaviors that can be seen, measured, and developed. The audience learns to recognize Professional Sincerity in others and to audit it in themselves.

02

Where It Breaks Down

The specific habits, organizational pressures, and communication patterns that erode genuine connection over time, including compliance language that sounds rehearsed, deflection that signals discomfort, and scripted responses that protect the speaker rather than serve the conversation. Understanding how authenticity erodes is the first step to restoring it.

03

How to Build It Back

Practical application of the five principles across the full range of professional communication: crisis encounters, investigative and HR interviews, subordinate and performance conversations, and leadership communication under pressure. These are not theories but field-tested strategies grounded in nearly 30 years of high-stakes communication experience.

Ideal Audiences

Built for leaders who
have hard conversations.

Professional Sincerity® applies anywhere communication is high-stakes. The keynote has been designed to resonate across all of the following conference and organizational contexts.

🚔

Law Enforcement Command & Leadership Conferences

🏢

Human Resources Leadership Summits

🏥

Healthcare Leadership & Administration

🏛️

Social Services & Government Agency Leadership

🎓

Academic & University Administration

🤝

First Responder & Crisis Intervention Organizations

28+

Years Law Enforcement

16

Years Crisis Negotiator

2,000+

Professionals Trained

17

States Nationwide

IADLEST National Certified Instructor · 2019 Searle Award · Author

Full biography →
Presentation Details

What to expect.

Format

Typically delivered as a 60-minute keynote. The presentation can be tailored to fit your program's schedule. Contact us to discuss your event's format and timing needs.

🎤

Delivery Style

Conversational, direct, and grounded in real cases. No slides full of text, no corporate language. Jeff speaks from nearly 30 years of experience in rooms where communication actually mattered.

✈️

Availability

Available for in-person conferences, leadership events, and organizational meetings. Based in upstate New York and available to travel nationwide.

📚

Companion Resource

From Crisis to Calm® is available for bulk purchase as a companion resource for keynote attendees. Contact us for organizational pricing.

Investment

Keynote Pricing

$2,000

Flat rate for the standard 60-minute keynote presentation. All reasonable travel expenses, including mileage, transportation, and overnight lodging when required, are billed at cost.

What's included

  • 60-minute keynote presentation
  • Pre-event consultation to tailor content to your audience
  • Q&A session following the presentation
  • Format flexibility for programs with different timing needs
Book This Keynote

Or call: 518-728-0700

Bring Professional Sincerity® to your next event.

Reach out to check availability, discuss your audience and program format, and get your date on the calendar.

Book the Keynote Email Jeff Directly