Fear Is Inevitable.
Hesitation is optional.
Bravery Is Trainable.
★
Jill Schulman combines behavioral science, military leadership, and real-world experience to help leaders and teams take brave action when it matters most.
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Trusted by Leading Organizations Committed to
Building Braver Cultures
Trusted by Leading Organizations
Committed to
Building Braver Cultures
The Science Behind
Brave Action
The Science Behind
Brave Action
Most people believe bravery is reserved for a select few.
Jill Schulman’s research and experience reveal something different.
As one of the first women to lead in combat engineering and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Applied Positive Psychology program, Jill has spent her career studying what causes people to act bravely in the face of uncertainty, risk, and fear.
Her conclusion is simple: bravery isn’t a personality trait reserved for a select few. It’s a skill that can be developed, strengthened, and practiced by anyone.
Jill’s keynotes go beyond inspiration, leaving audiences with practical, research-backed strategies they can immediately apply to lead, communicate, innovate, and perform with greater confidence.
Signature Keynote Topics
MakingBrave Action stick
Every organization faces moments that demand brave action—navigating uncertainty, leading through change, speaking up, taking risks, and moving forward when the path isn’t clear. Jill’s highly-requested keynotes give audiences practical tools to build the habits, mindset, and behaviors that turn brave actions into lasting results.
Do Hard Things
How to Train Bravery, Crush Hesitation, and Win When It Matters Most
Every organization craves courageous employees—people who act decisively, innovate fearlessly, and lead with confidence. Yet even top performers are often held back by hesitation: the silent thief that drains productivity, profits, and potential. Whether it’s fear of failure, rejection, or uncertainty, these moments of “wait and see” can keep your best people from making the moves that matter most.
Drawing on behavioral science and real-life stories from the Marines to the boardroom, Jill Schulman reveals why bravery isn’t a personality trait, but a trainable skill. Through her proven Bravery Effect framework, audiences learn how to overcome hesitation, act in the face of fear, and build cultures that foster support, accountability, and brave action.
Participants leave ready to stop waiting for confidence and start building it—one brave step at a time.
Key Audience Takeaways:
- Identify and overcome the three core fears—failure, rejection, and uncertainty—that sabotage action and innovation.
- Understand the true cost of hesitation on individual and organizational performance.
- Apply the Bravery Effect framework to train your mind for decisive action and resilient confidence.
- Practice simple, science-backed strategies to “attack the hill” and take the next hard step—especially under pressure.
- Build a “brave tribe”: Create environments that encourage speaking up, risk-taking, and mutual accountability.
- Shift from waiting for confidence to building it through everyday, actionable bravery.
Bravery Effect for Sales
How to Crush Hesitation, Ask Bolder Questions, and Close with Confidence
Imagine if every member of your sales team picked up the phone, asked the hard questions, and confidently moved opportunities forward—even in the face of fear and uncertainty.
In today’s high-stakes sales environment, hesitation is often the hidden barrier between good performance and great results. Whether it’s fear of rejection, reluctance to follow up, or hesitancy to challenge a prospect’s thinking, these moments stall pipelines, weaken relationships, and leave revenue on the table.
Through real-world sales examples, practical strategies, and her proven Bravery Effect framework, Jill Schulman teaches sales professionals how to recognize fear, retrain their thinking, and take the bold actions that build trust, create opportunities, and accelerate performance.
Key Audience Takeaways:
- Identify the three most common fears that cause sales hesitation—and how to overcome them.
- Master the Bravery Effect framework for taking bold, effective action in every sales interaction.
- Ask challenging, value-building questions that advance the sale and deepen trust.
- Replace “call reluctance” and “follow-up fatigue” with confident, consistent habits.
- Proactively request and use feedback to continuously improve sales results.
- Transform setbacks and “no’s” into learning moments and new opportunities.
- Foster a team culture where bravery, support, and accountability drive high performance.
BRAVE BELONGING
Why Your Success Depends on the Courage to Connect
Success isn’t built alone. While we celebrate individual grit and resilience, research shows that our ability to take brave action is deeply influenced by the people around us.
In this inspiring and science-backed keynote, Jill Schulman reveals why belonging is one of the most powerful drivers of courage, resilience, and growth. Through stories, research, and practical strategies, audiences learn how to build a “Brave Tribe”—the people who provide support, accountability, encouragement, and honest feedback when it matters most.
Participants leave with a proven framework for creating stronger connections, asking for help without hesitation, and building the relationships that make brave action possible.
Key Audience Takeaways:
- Identify the qualities of a true “Brave Tribe” and why these relationships are a key predictor of resilience, performance, and wellbeing.
- Shift your mindset: Asking for advice, help, and feedback is a strength—not a weakness—and is essential for rapid growth.
- Apply actionable strategies to find, invite, and leverage the right people to support your goals and conquer fear.
- Master powerful scripts and tools to seek advice, mentorship, and honest feedback from peers, leaders, and new connections.
- Transform vulnerability and authenticity into a superpower for building deep, high-value relationships.
- Learn how to give back—offering support to others in your network to multiply trust and create a cycle of bravery.
- Create a personal Brave Belonging action plan to overcome isolation, accelerate progress, and live and lead with greater impact.
The Bravery Effect™
In action
The Bravery Effect™
In action
“Inspiring, practical, and perfectly aligned with our theme”
“Jill was an absolute pleasure to work with from start to finish. As a meeting planner, I appreciate and applaud her professionalism, preparation, and energy that made our leadership conference a huge success. The Bravery Effect keynote hit exactly the right tone. She engaged the audience from the first minute and gave our leaders tools they could immediately apply. Jill’s survey score was the highest rating out of all the speakers at our event. The feedback has been phenomenal, and we can’t wait to work with her again.”
Ginger Collins
“A clear challenge to lead with courage, take ownership, and raise your standards”
“Most speakers leave you energized in the moment. Jill Schulman leaves you operating differently long after the room clears. Her message from The Bravery Effect comes to life in a way that is both inspiring and incredibly practical. She delivers it with humor, warmth, and a down-to-earth style that makes you lean in—and then actually do something with it. This wasn’t just well-received—it’s being applied. And that’s what separates Jill from most speakers.”
Blair C. McHaney
“Full of energy, authenticity, and unforgettable insights”
“Jill Schulman’s keynote was truly inspiring, leaving everyone feeling more confident, empowered, and (we hope) a bit braver. Jill’s ability to connect through real stories and practical wisdom made the experience not just motivating, but genuinely transformative.”
Mike Lantz
“She doesn’t just motivate an audience. She challenges them.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of speakers, and Jill Schulman stands out in a way that’s hard to ignore. Equal parts science, story, and straight truth, She has a way of breaking down complex ideas around performance and behavior into something practical and actionable. She set a high bar, and at the same time gave our team the mindset and strategies to rise and meet it. That’s rare.”
Stan Smith
“One of the most impactful sessions we’ve had"
“She brought a powerful combination of science, real-world experience, and practical tools that immediately resonated with our audience. What stood out most was how actionable her message was. This wasn’t just inspiration. Jill gave us clear strategies to push past hesitation, speak up with confidence, and take meaningful action in our roles. The room was fully engaged from start to finish, and attendees were eager to continue learning and applying what they had just experienced.”
Melanie Cooke
“Authentic, courageous, and truly impactful.”
“Jill’s session on The Bravery Effect was a standout. She spoke straight to the heart of every entrepreneur in the room.”
Chad Willardson
Why OrganizationsTrust Jill
Why Organizations
Trust Jill
★
Here’s why organizations around the world trust Jill Schulman to help people take brave action when fear, uncertainty, and hesitation stand in the way of performance.
01
Research-Backed, Not Just Inspirational
Most speakers tell audiences to be courageous. Jill teaches them how.
Combining decades of research with real-world leadership and military experience, she reveals what drives brave action, what causes hesitation, and how bravery can be developed as a skill.
02
Military-Tested Leadership Lessons
Before studying bravery, Jill lived it.
As one of the first women to lead in combat engineering, Jill learned firsthand what it means to make decisions under pressure, navigate uncertainty, and act when the stakes are high. Those experiences now shape her work on bravery, leadership, and human performance.
03
A Framework That Sticks
Most people believe confidence comes before action.
The Bravery Effect™ gives audiences a practical framework for taking action before they feel ready and building confidence through the process. Long after the keynote ends, they have a shared language and proven process for taking the next brave step.
04
Practical & Actionable Content
Inspiration fades. Action creates change.
Jill challenges audiences to do more than think differently. She gives them the tools, accountability, and practical next steps to immediately start acting differently—not someday, not when they feel ready, but now.
05
Resources Beyond the Keynote
Research shows people quickly forget what they learn from a single event.
Jill’s goal isn’t simply to inspire people for a day. Through discussion guides, micro-learning videos, and follow-up resources, she helps organizations reinforce key lessons and make brave action stick long after the event is over.
READY TO BUILD A BRAVER CULTURE?
COURAGEOVER REGRET
The strongest cultures are built when people stop avoiding discomfort and start leading with bravery. Jill Schulman equips audiences with the mindset and resilience to take action when it matters most.