2026 PM Symposium Bill Benjamin

Bio

Bill Benjamin is an emotional intelligence expert, keynote speaker, and Partner at the Institute for Health & Human Potential (IHHP). He helps leaders and teams build high-performance cultures by applying the science of emotional intelligence to strengthen communication, collaboration, and performance under pressure. Over the past 30 years, Bill has worked with organizations including NASA, the U.S. Marines, Amazon, Marriott, and the Mayo Clinic, helping leaders navigate difficult conversations and create lasting organizational impact.

Before joining IHHP, Bill spent 14 years in leadership at a computer software company and earned degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. He is a contributor to the New York Times bestselling book Performing Under Pressure and co-author of the upcoming book The Last 8%. His work on high-performing teams and Last 8% Conversations has been featured in the Harvard Business Review.

Topic

Having High Impact Last 8% Conversations

Description

Most people communicate about 92% of what they want to say in difficult conversations—but stop short of sharing the most important 8%. Whether providing feedback, addressing conflict, or navigating challenging discussions, avoiding the "Last 8%" often limits trust, collaboration, and results. In this engaging keynote, Bill Benjamin shares the neuroscience behind why these conversations feel difficult and provides practical strategies for managing emotions under pressure. Attendees will learn how to approach challenging conversations with confidence, strengthen relationships, and create a culture of openness, accountability, and high performance.

Key Takeaways

• Understand what the Last 8% is and why it represents the greatest opportunity for personal growth and leadership impact.
• Learn how the brain responds under pressure and why emotions often prevent honest, productive conversations.
• Develop practical strategies to manage emotions and confidently navigate difficult conversations.
• Build stronger relationships, increase trust, and improve collaboration through emotionally intelligent communication.
• Leave with actionable tools to foster a high-performance culture where feedback and accountability drive better results.