The Hidden ROI of Belonging™
How Leaders Build Cultures That Retain, Engage, and Perform
Dr. Rick Goodman shows leaders exactly how belonging drives measurable improvements in retention, engagement, collaboration, and performance — especially during change and high-pressure periods.
Designed for corporate teams, healthcare organizations, associations, and HR and People leaders.
What a Workplace Belonging Keynote Speaker Reveals About Your Hidden Performance Gaps
Belonging is not a feel-good initiative. It is the highest-leverage leadership investment an organization can make — and most leaders have no idea how much it is already costing them to ignore it.
Belonging is not an HR program. It is a performance driver — and it starts with leaders who know how to create it deliberately, consistently, and at scale.
of annual salary lost per disengaged employee in productivity costs
of annual salary it costs to replace one voluntary turnover
higher job performance in teams with high belonging vs. low belonging
What Leaders Walk Away With From This Workplace Belonging Keynote
The Belonging Leadership Model
A practical, repeatable framework for creating belonging through daily leadership behaviors — not programs, posters, or one-time training sessions.
The ROI Conversation
How to connect belonging to the metrics leadership already tracks: retention rates, engagement scores, absenteeism, productivity, and innovation output.
Communication That Builds Inclusion
Specific communication behaviors that signal inclusion, reduce psychological threat, and create the safety that drives performance and honest dialogue.
Retention Through Connection
How belonging directly impacts voluntary turnover — and the specific leadership actions that make talented people choose to stay and grow.
Cross-Team Collaboration
How belonging breaks down the invisible barriers between teams, departments, and functions — creating collaboration that improves speed, quality, and innovation.
Scalable Culture Change
How to embed belonging into your leadership culture in a way that scales — from the executive team to the frontline — without requiring a cultural overhaul.
Who This Keynote Is Built For
Corporate Executives & Leadership Teams
Organizations navigating culture challenges, post-merger integration, hybrid workforce management, or talent retention crises where engagement is the root issue.
HR & People Leaders
HR professionals and Chief People Officers who need to make the business case for belonging and give their leadership team the tools to act on it.
Healthcare Organizations
Healthcare systems where belonging directly impacts patient care, clinical team performance, burnout rates, and the ability to retain skilled staff.
Associations
Associations looking for a high-impact, research-backed keynote that resonates across industries and gives member leaders practical tools they can use immediately.
Choose the Right Format for Your Event
Conference Keynote
High-impact session introducing the Hidden ROI framework. 45 to 60 minutes. Customized to your audience, industry, and retention or culture priorities.
Breakout Session
Deeper application of belonging leadership behaviors in a smaller-group interactive format. Ideal for leadership retreats and HR summits.
Culture Workshop
Fully customized to your organization's engagement and retention challenges. Participants leave with a belonging leadership action plan tied to your specific metrics.
Results Organizations Have Seen
"Working with Rick Goodman has been a truly rewarding experience. His collaborative spirit, strategic mindset, and ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity make him an exceptional partner."
Nancy PerniaInterpublic Group"Working with Dr. Rick Goodman was an outstanding experience from start to finish. He was responsive, professional, and collaborative throughout the planning process, making everything seamless."
Kathleen BaldwinExecutive Director, CICPAC"Your presentation was thought-provoking, energetic, and interactive, and left a lasting impression on all that attended."
Nancy Strong-RobertsArea Executive Director, American Cancer SocietyWhat Planners Ask Before They Book
Not exclusively. Belonging is broader than diversity initiatives. Rick focuses on the leadership behaviors that create belonging for every member of a team and the business outcomes that follow. It works for audiences across industries and leadership levels regardless of where they are on a DEI journey.
Yes. A pre-event discovery call ensures the program is customized to your specific culture data, leadership gaps, and the metrics you want to move.
Yes. The framework is industry-agnostic and has been delivered to corporate leadership teams, healthcare organizations, medical associations, and professional associations across the country.
Keynote only, keynote plus breakout, or keynote plus full workshop. Half-day and full-day formats are also available for leadership retreats.
Most events book 45 to 60 minutes. Shorter and longer formats are available depending on your agenda and audience needs.
Yes. Ask about leadership workshop extensions, executive coaching, or multi-session retreat formats for deeper culture change.
A lav mic or headset mic is preferred, plus standard projection for slides if used. A full AV rider is available upon request.
Ready to Unlock the Hidden ROI of Belonging in Your Organization?
If your organization is struggling with retention, engagement, or the cultural drift that quietly drains performance — let's talk about the right format for your next event.