Steve Fredlund
Steve Fredlund is an award-winning keynote speaker and best-selling author of Do the Unright Thing: Memoir of a People Pleaser. With a rich background spanning three decades as an actuary, nonprofit founder, entrepreneur, and leader of African safaris, Steve is no stranger to navigating complex paths.
After years of doing what was expected, he realized that pursuing the extraordinary unlocked a deeper sense of purpose, fulfillment, and impact. Now, he shares his transformative insights through empowering talks that inspire audiences to Expect the ExtraordinaryTM, guiding them toward breakthrough after breakthrough.
With an inspiring message brought to life through enthusiasm and laugh-out-loud stories, Steve brings fresh perspectives to the stage, helping audiences rethink life, work, and leadership. Known for his ability to simplify complex challenges into actionable insights, he empowers audiences to stop settling for the ordinary, break free from the expected, and have the courage to do The Unright ThingTM, increasing their chances of experiencing the extraordinary.
Most Requested Programs
The Safari Way: Your Path to Extraordinary Fulfillment
Sometimes everything in our life and work seems fine, on paper, but internally we feel discontent and unfulfilled; we are longing for something more. We work hard, doing everything right, believing that this will lead to extraordinary happiness and success. Instead, the status quo continues. Because everything is good, it feels like we shouldn’t be discontent, so we continue forward doing things the way we have always done them, pushing down or unhappiness and pretending everything is okay.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, longing for a breakthrough, or craving fresh inspiration, this keynote blends storytelling, humor, and practical tools from Steve’s proprietary breakthrough framework to guide you to lasting fulfillment. Learn how to break free from comfort zones, adopt new mindsets, and pursue the vision of YOUR extraordinary —a meaningful life and fulfilling work.
The Right Peeps in the Jeep: How to Build Extraordinary Teams
How do you catalyze real breakthroughs in team performance? Leveraging his signature Breakthrough Model, Steve “Safari Dude” Fredlund reveals that the “right peeps in the jeep” concept is far more than a catchy slogan, it’s the linchpin for extraordinary team alignment, engagement, and retention.
Steve uses parallels from his African safari adventures to illustrate why success isn’t just about assembling talented individuals, but ensuring each person is fully aligned with the team’s vision and values while also fostering strong connections with each other and to the mission.
Packed with vivid storytelling and practical frameworks, Steve offers insights from his work across corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments, guiding leaders toward building cohesive, empowered teams that drive phenomenal results.
This program emphasizes the importance of alignment, collaboration, engagement, and trust, all essential elements for unleashing extraordinary team performance.
Expect the Extraordinary: Creating a Breakthrough Culture
Innovation is no longer just about competitive advantage, it has become about organizational survival. Our industry is evolving rapidly, and sticking to traditional methods will no longer allow us to keep pace. To fulfill our mission and better serve our members, we must become more creative and collaborative. But this is more than just adding more cross-functional meetings; it requires a fundamental shift in culture.
In this session, Steve will invite us to embrace a paradigm shift—both individually and collectively. He will share what he has learned from decades of real-world experience as a breakthrough expert. These insights offer a strategic approach to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities shaping the future of our industry—empowering our associations and members to not only meet the future but to lead it with confidence and purpose.
Testimonials
“Steve’s message of the “Safari Way” fit so well for our event. He was attentive to our content and incorporated an excellent session that resonated with our audience. His stories and message were a home run!” - RBC Wealth Management
“Steve was amazing. His down to earth message held the attention of all 300 employees. From new hire hourly employees to 35+ year salary managers. I received several compliments and was thanked several times for hiring Steve. We will hire again for future corporate events.” - Costco
"Everything about working with Steve was absolutely wonderful. He was fun, timely and wanted to meet the needs of our organization. I'd highly recommend working with Steve!" - KENT Corporation
“As an event planner, Steve was a pleasure to work from beginning to end. He gives you access to plenty of promotional materials to use to promote his presentation at your event and excellent communication from start to finish. He kept our crowd laughing and entertained the whole presentation. I recommend him to all groups who need to get the right people on board.” - Iowa Grocery Industry Association
"Steve nailed it! He has a comfortable, compelling storytelling approach that pulls attendees into his 'jungle' and keeps them wanting more! His ability to connect with diverse attendees was truly remarkable. The feedback we received from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting how inspired and motivated they felt after the session. I wholeheartedly recommend Steve as a keynote speaker for any event. His expertise, passion, and dedication to delivering value make him an outstanding choice for any audience." - Iowa Employment Conference & Missouri Employment Conference