What Every Association and Event Leader Needs to Hear About Organizational Growth
Keynote by Doug Griffiths
Planning a conference and looking for a leadership speaker who goes beyond inspiration to deliver real insight and challenge the status quo? Doug Griffiths—keynote speaker and bestselling author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community—delivers exactly that. In today’s fast-changing world, Doug believes the biggest threat facing organizations, associations, and even entire communities isn’t disruption—it’s comfort.
In a recent conversation, Doug shared what makes his message resonate so deeply with audiences: a bold, honest look at how we sabotage our own success, and what it takes to build something that lasts. His insights aren’t just timely—they’re transformational.
If you’re planning a conference or event focused on leadership, transformation, or community impact, Doug Griffiths brings a keynote that challenges the status quo and gives your audience tools they can actually use.
An Interview with Doug Griffiths
Comfort Is the Real Danger
Griffiths doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. In fact, he leans into them.
“When you’re comfortable, that’s when you’re most at risk,” he explained. “When you think things aren’t that bad, it’s a slow deterioration. Not doing something is an inevitable death.”
It’s this quiet descent—masked by well-meaning complacency—that can be most damaging. Communities and organizations that coast on outdated practices or rest on their laurels often find themselves slipping behind, unable to recover momentum.
Watch Highlights from Doug’s Keynote ‘13 Ways to Kill Your Community’
Truth Hurts… And That’s Okay
Griffiths acknowledges that this kind of messaging can be tough to hear. But, as he points out, pushback is often a sign you’re onto something important.
“We tend to be angry when we’re exposed to the truth. And anger is based on fear. If someone’s angry about what I said, it’s usually because they know it’s true.”
This emotional honesty is what makes Griffiths such a compelling voice in community development. He’s not trying to make people feel good—he’s trying to help them move forward.
Stop Sabotaging Your Own Success
Doug’s now-iconic book 13 Ways to Kill Your Community has become a go-to resource for leaders across Canada. When asked which of the “13 ways” is the most dangerous today, Griffiths didn’t hesitate:
“‘Don’t cooperate’ is the plague of the 21st century. We’re not islands. We’re not actually competing against the people we think we are—we’re competing against the rest of the world. If we don’t learn to work together, we fall behind.”
A close second? Living in the past. Griffiths notes that the pace of change is accelerating every year, and organizations that aren’t building toward the future are rapidly becoming irrelevant.
“A week behind now is like being 10 years behind in the past. If you’re not already keeping up with tomorrow, you’re already falling behind.”
Learn More About Doug Griffiths and His Keynote Topics
If He Wrote a Bonus Chapter Today…
Asked what he’d add if he were writing 13 Ways to Kill Your Community in 2024, Griffiths was clear:
“Don’t have broadband or high-speed internet.”
He compares modern broadband infrastructure to the railroads that helped build Canada over a century ago. Without it, communities can’t access opportunity—or share their strengths with the world. But he also offered a deeper warning:
“You can build the infrastructure, but if your community doesn’t know how to use it, it won’t matter. Tools are great—but culture is what determines whether you’ll succeed.”
Watch now! ‘Revitalizing Your Community with Doug Griffiths’ on MuniCast; a podcast hosted by SUMA, the collective voice of Saskatchewan’s hometowns. MuniCast is a podcast that delivers conversations on municipal leadership. Hear what audiences can expect to takeaway from a Doug Griffiths keynote.
Leadership Is Not About You
For association and nonprofit leaders, Griffiths had one big reminder: leadership is about service.
“My job is not to make myself look good. My job is to make my team successful at their jobs. That’s how the organization becomes successful.”
In a world of uncertainty, he encourages leaders to provide tools, support experimentation, and embrace failure as part of the learning curve.
“You’re going to fail a lot more than we used to. That’s how you know you’re actually trying.”
While he’s hesitant to name specific organizations (“no one’s perfect,” he says), Griffiths did highlight one initiative from his home city of Edmonton: a private-sector coalition working to revitalize the downtown core.
“It’s not government-led. It’s just passionate business owners led by a generous and inspiring leader. And they’re making a real impact.”
The Takeaway for Association and Event Leaders
Doug Griffiths doesn’t offer quick fixes. He offers clarity. And for organizations willing to look in the mirror, that clarity can be transformative. Success, he reminds us, isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about recognizing our blind spots, letting go of outdated ideas, and choosing to build something better. Together.
Discover More Community and Leadership Speakers Like Doug Griffiths
Stay Connected
We hope you gained valuable insights from Doug Griffiths’ Keynote on Growth for Association Leaders. Stay ahead of the curve by:
- Signing Up for Our Newsletter: Be the first to know about trending leadership speakers and topics.
- Following Us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: Join our community for weekly updates and inspiration.
Related Articles & Pages
Learn more about Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community
Discover keynote speakers similar to Doug Griffiths: Mike Rowe, Kaleb Dahlgren, Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Bruce Anderson