Wayne Pernell, PhD

Leadership Strategist Who Turns Chaos Into Clarity

A Bold New Voice in Executive Leadership and Organizational Growth

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“When it comes to Powerful Presence, listen to Wayne! If you’re ready to take your life to higher levels and sustain continuous growth and improvement, then you must work with Wayne… the best thing is that he speaks from the heart and truly cares about making a positive difference in the lives of others! Do yourself a favor and work with Wayne today! You’ll be so grateful you did!”

~ James Malinchak

Speaking Topics:

Dancing with Chaos: You need to learn when to lead, follow, and sometimes even get out of the way. There’s an art to Dancing with chaos. Happily, it’s relatively easy to learn.

Creating a Culture of Caring: The concept of “caring” in a corporate setting is often confused for some weakness. What we now know is that what were once seen as the “softer skills” are

those that promote creativity and engender loyalty.

The Power of Being Unreasonable: What if we redefined success and recalibrated the way we got there. What if we leveraged the power of being unreasonable? Besides cats, we need to think outside of the box.

Professional Bio:

Dr. Wayne Pernell, the CEO and Founder of DynamicLeader, Inc., holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and has amassed over four decades of experience in leadership development, strategy, culture, and elite mindstate coaching.

Dr. Pernell has consulted with leaders and their teams across diverse industries, including Schwab, PG&E, 3Com, Whole Foods Market, AAA, Pfizer, and numerous others. He has held leadership positions within these organizations and has also provided consultative services for them. His impact has been substantial, with one group experiencing a productivity increase of over 300%.

As an esteemed international speaker, Dr. Pernell has delivered two TEDx talks, one of which has garnered over two million views. He is recognized as a number one best- selling author, having published five books. Dr. Pernell excels as an elite mindstate coach, guiding accomplished individuals to exponential success by enhancing their performance, productivity, and overall well-being.

Dr. Wayne Pernell is a frequent media presence, having appeared on television and radio programs across the country. He hosts a weekly inspirational and leadership blog called Wednesdays with Wayne and produces his own podcast, One Sharp Sword.

Dr. Pernell’s expertise has been recognized in prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, and Forbes. He has co-executive produced several notable documentaries, including Hero, Conquer 100, and Brisa. Notably, he is proud of his role as the executive producer of award-winning documentaries such as “The Truth About Reading” as well as having been featured in “Big Stages.”

Author and Thought Leader

Amazon #1 International Best-Selling Author: Pernell has authored several impactful books, including:
- Choosing Your Power
- The Significance Factor
- Dynamic Transitions
- Leadership Lessons
- The Winning Way DynamicLeader
Podcast Host: He hosts the “One Sharp Sword” podcast, where he shares insights on leadership, personal development, and achieving significance.

What Sets Dr. Wayne Pernell Apart for Impact

1. Beyond Inspiration: Real Transformation

Not just motivational talk—leaders leave with tools they can implement immediately.

Decades of executive leadership experience combined with clinical psychology expertise create a measurable impact.

2. Engagement that Sticks

Leaders learn how to engage authentically—with their teams, stakeholders, and themselves.

Focus on vulnerability, presence, and congruence as the foundation of authentic leadership.

3. Building Bridges Across Silos

Breaks down organizational silos by teaching leaders to create trust and alignment.

Strengthens collaboration across functions, teams, and generations.

4. Leading with Presence and Confidence

Demonstrates how leaders can embody focus and calm in high-pressure environments.

Equips audiences with practical strategies for centering, clarity, and decisiveness.

5. Culture of Caring → Culture of Performance

Redefines “soft skills” as power skills that foster creativity, loyalty, and innovation.

Shows leaders how to set the tone for engagement and cultural alignment.

6. Unreasonable Success

Challenges outdated metrics and patterns of mediocrity.

Encourages leaders to think differently, act boldly, and pursue breakthrough outcomes.

7. Proven Results

Has helped organizations raise productivity by over 300%.

International speaker with TEDx talks viewed by millions and five best-selling books on leadership and transformation.

Why Wayne Pernell Stands Out Across These Industries:

The Exponential Success Formula™: Proven methods tailored for tangible business outcomes.
Boardroom to Breakroom Experience: He’s led organizations and advised industry-specific leaders for over 30 years.
Science-Driven Strategy: With a doctorate in psychology, he applies behavioral insights that create lasting change.
Custom-Crafted Engagements: No off-the-shelf keynotes—each experience is designed to address real-world challenges.
Heart-Centered, Results-Focused: His approach respects people, process, and profitability—perfect for values-based organizations.

Noteworthy Achievements

Dr. Wayne Pernell, widely recognized as “The Exponential Success Coach™,” has made significant contributions in leadership development, organizational transformation, and personal growth. With over 35 years of experience, he has guided leaders across various industries to achieve exceptional success.

Speaker and Media Presence

TEDx Speaker: Dr. Pernell has delivered two TEDx talks, sharing his expertise on leadership and personal growth.
Media Features: His work has been featured in prominent outlets such as Forbes, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and The New York Times.
Television Appearances: He has appeared on major networks including NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and The CW, discussing topics related to leadership and organizational success.

Professional Affiliations and Recognitions

Forbes Business Council Member: Dr. Pernell is a member of the Forbes Business Council, contributing his insights on leadership and business strategy.
Recognized Coach and Consultant: He has been acknowledged as one of the top business coaches and consultants to follow, known for his unique approach to achieving exponential success.

Academic and Professional Background

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: Dr. Pernell holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, providing a strong foundation for his work in leadership and organizational development.

Founder and CEO of DynamicLeader®, Inc.: Through his company, he offers leadership development programs, strategic planning, and executive coaching to help organizations thrive amid change.

Film and Documentary Contributions

Executive Producer: Dr. Pernell served as an executive producer for the documentary The Truth About Reading, which won a Gold Medal at the Telly Awards. The film highlights the importance of literacy and education.
Featured Participant: He was featured in the documentary Big Stages, which follows his journey and impact as a speaker.