From NASA Mission Code to Human Performance

Break Away from the
Gravitational Pull of Average™

Mike Howard is a former NASA Team Member and IBM programmer with 25+ years as a full-time professional speaker. He helps high-stakes conferences and leaders turn pressure, change, AI disruption, and uncertainty into performance, clarity, and momentum.

Premium-Level Keynote Experience

Leadership • AI & Productivity • Mastering Change • High Achievement

Book Mike for Your Keynote → See Demo Reel & What They’re Saying

Perfect for opening or closing keynotes when you need a message that is electrifying, credible, and anchored in real NASA-level performance under pressure.

From NASA Mission Control to Your Mainstage

One of America’s Most Dynamic Keynote Speakers

Want to see Mike in action? Watch the 60-second story and full 12-minute demo reel.

View Demo Reel Below ↓

Meet Mike Howard

From Mission Code to Mindset: Programming People for Success

When NASA trusted Mike with mission-critical code and IBM trusted him with complex systems, he learned what it means to perform when there are no do-overs. Now he brings that same level of focus, clarity, and accountability to your stage.

As a former NASA Team Member during the Space Shuttle era and an IBM computer programmer, Mike lived in a world where precision, preparation, and performance were non-negotiable. Every decision mattered. Every system had to work. Every person on the team had to show up at their best.

For the last 25+ years, Mike has translated those mission-level lessons into keynotes that help leaders and teams conquer their “inner space” — mindset, habits, courage, and resilience — so they can win in the spaces they lead: business, education, and community.

25+ years as a full-time professional keynote speaker and high-achievement expert.
Former NASA Space Shuttle Program Team Member & IBM computer programmer.
Author of four self-development books, including the bestselling classic From Ordinary to EXTRAordinary: Success Begins Within.
Known for keynotes that are entertaining, educational, and strategically aligned with your theme.

“NASA principles left our leaders fired up and ready to take on change. Mike blends inspiration, humor, and practical tools in a way that sticks.”

— Corporate & Association Meeting Planners

25+

Years on Stage

8,000+

Largest Live Audience

Self-Development Books

Signature Keynotes

High-Stakes Keynotes Powered by NASA-Level Thinking & H-O-W Acronyms

Mike’s keynotes combine his background as a former NASA Team Member and IBM programmer with his powerful H-O-W acronyms from The 50 Ways of HOW — Habits of Winners, Help Others Win, Hurdles Offer Wisdom, Honoring Our Word, and more. The H-O-W acronyms were born out of the first three letters of Mike HOWARD’s last name — because the power of Howard is in the HOW.

Flagship Experience

Breaking the Gravity of Average™

In this high-energy, story-rich keynote, Mike shows your people how to escape the “gravitational pull” of average thinking, average effort, and average results. Drawing on his NASA experience, he uses H-O-W acronyms like Habits of Winners, Help Others Win, and Honoring Our Word to give your audience a practical flight plan for high achievement. Attendees leave with language, tools, and daily disciplines they can apply immediately.

AI & Leadership

The AI Edge™ — Do More in Less Time & Lead Stronger

AI is here — but most teams don’t know how to use it. Mike demystifies AI and shows leaders and professionals how to use it as a practical advantage, not a threat. Leveraging his background as an IBM programmer and his H-O-W framework, he teaches how Hurdles Offer Wisdom, how to build Habits of Winners around AI, and how to Help Others Win by sharing tools and workflows. This keynote gives your audience simple, ethical AI strategies to save time, think clearer, and lead at a higher level.

Mindset & Motivation

Success Begins Within

Based on Mike’s bestselling classic From Ordinary to EXTRAordinary: Success Begins Within, this keynote helps people confront limiting beliefs, upgrade their inner conversation, and build internal drive and discipline. Using H-O-W principles, Mike shows how honoring your word, developing winning habits, and choosing courage over comfort transforms careers, classrooms, and communities.

Leadership Under Pressure

Lead Like a Mission: Clarity, Courage & Accountability

Using lessons from NASA mission culture and IBM systems thinking, Mike teaches leaders how to think like mission control: align around a clear objective, communicate under pressure, and take ownership for outcomes. H-O-W ideas such as Help Others Win and Honoring Our Word become the backbone of a culture where trust, clarity, and performance all rise together.

See & Hear the Impact

Demo Reel & What They’re Saying

Use these two videos to introduce Mike to your planning committee and decision-makers: the 60-second story that captures his journey, and the full demo reel that showcases his stage presence, audience engagement, and practical content.

Click to watch the 60-second story

Share this short story reel with your team, planning committee, or attendees to instantly connect them to Mike’s journey — from tough beginnings to NASA, IBM, and global stages.

Click to watch the full demo reel

“Electric.”

Audience Feedback

“Practical.”

Leadership Teams

“On-Theme.”

Meeting Planners

Why Meeting Planners Book Mike

Instant NASA-to-mainstage story that sells your event’s uniqueness in seconds.
High-energy, entertaining, and educational keynotes that keep audiences fully engaged.
Sets the tone for events and energizes the room from the opening minutes.
Customizes each program to align with your theme, goals, and culture.
Audiences walk away inspired, equipped, and ready to act with practical tools they can use immediately.

What Audiences Are Saying

“NASA principles left our leaders fired up and ready to take on change.”

— Wells Fargo

“We’ve hired Mike multiple times—he always delivers a mix of inspiration, humor, and practical tools.”

— Chester Benton, Assistant Commissioner, Georgia Department of Labor (former)

“Engaging, entertaining, and educational.”

— Glenda Valentine, HR Manager, Cobb County Government

Books & Resources

Author of Four Self-Development Classics

Extend the impact of Mike’s keynote with books and resources your audience can use long after the event ends. His titles are used by students, leaders, and teams who want to build winning habits from the inside out.

From Ordinary to EXTRAordinary: Success Begins Within

The bestselling classic that started it all — a powerful guide to mindset, belief, and daily disciplines that turn potential into performance.

Success Begins Within – Action Journal

A guided journal that helps audiences turn inspiration into action and build habits that stick long after the keynote.

Passport to Creating a World of Success

A “passport” for designing your own world of success — filled with stories, principles, and exercises that travel well from classroom to boardroom.

The 50 Ways of HOW

H-O-W acronyms for success and high achievement: Habits of Winners, Help Others Win, Hurdles Offer Wisdom, Honoring Our Word, and many more.

Booking & Investment

A Mission-Level Experience for Your Most Important Moments

When you bring in Mike, you’re not booking “a talk” — you’re investing in a mission-critical experience that shapes how your people think, feel, and act long after the conference lights go down.

Every event is unique, and so is the investment. Factors such as event location, audience size, customization level, and additional services (breakout sessions, book packages, leader roundtables, etc.) all play a role.

To receive a customized quote for your event, simply share a few details below or contact us directly. Mike’s team will respond quickly with availability, options, and next steps to help you build a high-impact experience.

Every Engagement Includes:

From the moment you book Mike, you’ll experience a level of professionalism and partnership that matches the quality of the keynote itself.

Pre-event planning call(s) with you and your team.
Customization of stories, language, and examples to your audience and theme.
Use of Mike’s name, story, and demo links for your internal promotion.
High-energy keynote with practical, usable frameworks your people can apply immediately.
Optional book or digital resource packages to extend the message beyond the keynote.

Multi-event or multi-year partnerships, as well as combinations of keynotes and training, can be structured upon request.

Let’s Talk

Check Mike’s Availability for Your Event

Share a few details below and Mike’s team will respond quickly with availability, investment options, and next steps. For urgent dates or last-minute openings, you can also call directly.

Direct Phone: 678-777-6739

Email: mike@mikehowardspeaks.org

Website: MikeHowardSpeaks.org

Mike is based in Georgia and speaks for events across the United States and beyond, both in-person and virtually. He frequently works with corporate, government, education, and association audiences.

For specific rate information, block booking, or creative ways to maximize your investment (such as leadership roundtables or book bundles), please reach out and let’s design the right solution for your event.

Break Away from the Gravitational Pull of Average™