She is the creator of The Perceptive Advantage™, a framework redefining leadership capability

Trusted by Australia's Leading Organisations
Why your organisation needs to hear these truths
Most organisations do not struggle because their people lack skill or commitment. They struggle because leaders and teams are making decisions based on what they think is happening, not what actually is.
Elly Johnson helps organisations develop The Perceptive Advantage™. This is the human capability that allows leaders, teams, and professionals to see what others miss, understand what is really going on, and respond with clarity, confidence, and care.
Her keynotes are grounded, insightful, and highly engaging. They combine real-world experience, behavioural science, and practical frameworks to help audiences think differently about truth, trust, and human behaviour at work.
KEYNOTE TOPICS
TESTIMONIALS
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Elly present at one of her seminars, and it was an eye opening experience. the detail and dedication she puts into her work is second to none!
Nevan Dragas
Manager — Optus
Loved the presentation – I didn’t want it to end. I took a lot from it – for both my personal and my professional world.
Jessica L
Westpac Bank
I had the pleasure of seeing Elly present to an engaged audience at the Healthcare Institute Excellence Australia conference. The provocative topic of courageous truth vs hidden truth was a powerful contribution to the program and provided a new way to think about the complexities of truth in human communication, investigations and relationships. Highly recommended!
David McIvor Ph.D
Work Health & Safety
I have attended a few events now where Elly was a keynote speaker. Elly’s content is always “fresh”, relatable for the audience type and scaled for all levels of experience. To say that her energy captivates the room is an understatement!
Kirsten Smith
Fraud Investigator — Equifax Australia
What a pleasure it was to have Elly at our Unstoppable FEW Conference. She inspired and engaged with her session around the topics of communication and truth. I recommend Elly as a Keynote speaker for any organisation looking for an energetic speaker. Her passion and professionalism made her a delight to work with.
Judith Beck
Founder — Financial Executive Women
Loved Elly! Her presentation to the top 300 OPTUS sales people conference in Bali on the impacts of confidence and truth and trust was so engaging and relevant to all people, industries and workplaces. Highly recommended a speaker who thoroughly engages the room.
Peter Rowsthorn
Comedian, Actor, MC
It has been my great pleasure to work with Elly Johnson on several projects over the past few years. She is one of the most engaging public speakers and trainers that I have had the pleasure of working with and is also a great human being.
Julian Talbot
Risk Management Consultant
I had the privilege of hearing Elly speak at the SCA Australasian Conference in Hobart, and her impact was immediate and lasting. Elly’s session on Truth Intelligence and Trust Wisdom was one of the most powerful I’ve experienced in my professional career.
She has a remarkable ability to guide people and teams into deeper self-awareness and stronger connection, all through the lens of truth, trust, and courageous communication. One statement in particular has stayed with me:
“The most powerful teams and connected relationships share one invisible foundation: the ability to create environments where truth can flourish and trust can thrive.”
That insight perfectly encapsulates what Elly brings to every room she enters – a focus on creating safe, honest, and empowering spaces. I took her message back to my team in New Zealand, and it has reinforced the core values we work hard to live by every day.
Elly is not only a gifted speaker but also a catalyst for meaningful change in leadership and workplace culture. I wholeheartedly recommend her to any organisation looking to foster deeper trust, stronger teams, and a more authentic culture.
Anita Reinecke
Advocacy & Leadership in Body Corporate
Elly delivered a great session at our town hall meeting in October 2025. She was engaging, real, and connected so naturally with the room. Her stories and examples made the topic of trust feel practical and relevant, and people walked away with a much clearer understanding of what trust looks like in everyday conversations. The feedback has been really positive, staff said they appreciated how relatable she was and how easy she made it to reflect on their own communication. Elly was a fantastic addition to the day and we’d happily have her back.
Luda Evans
Executive Officer — NSW Department of Education
Why Organisations Book Elly
Organisations work with Elly when they want clarity, trust, and stronger leadership decisions grounded in real human behaviour, not theory or trends.

Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Elly Johnson different from other leadership keynote speakers?
Elly is not a motivational or communication speaker. She is the creator of The Perceptive Advantage™, a leadership capability that helps people see what others miss.
Her work focuses on perceptiveness, the human skill that drives truth, trust, and sound decision-making. With a background in policing, intelligence, and leadership consulting, Elly brings rare depth and credibility to every session.
How does The Perceptive Advantage™ support executive and leadership development?
The Perceptive Advantage™ builds four core capacities essential for modern leadership: awareness, interpretation, communication, and action.
These capabilities help leaders read situations accurately, reduce bias, improve culture alignment, and make confident decisions in complex environments. It is a strategic leadership capability, not a soft skill.
What outcomes can organisations expect from Elly’s keynotes?
Organisations consistently report:
- Stronger trust and psychological safety
- Clearer and faster decision-making
- More confident and courageous conversations
- Earlier identification of cultural or communication risks
- Higher engagement and alignment
Elly’s sessions change how people see and respond, not just what they know.
Can Elly customise keynotes or workshops for specific industries?
Yes. Every keynote and workshop is adapted to the organisation’s context, sector, and leadership priorities.
Elly has worked across government, finance, healthcare, education, construction, and technology. Each engagement begins with a conversation to ensure relevance and impact.How does Elly’s background influence her content?
Elly’s career began in law enforcement, where truth and trust have real consequences. That experience shapes her work today, blending human behaviour research with practical leadership insight.
Her frameworks help people recognise distortion, reduce bias, and create environments where truth and trust can exist.
Which keynotes are best for executive teams and leadership offsites?
For senior audiences, Elly recommends:
- The Perceptive Advantage™ for leadership alignment and clarity
- The Perceptive Sales Advantage™ for influening outcomes with clarity, accuracy, and trust
- The Perceptive Path for Women in Business™ for enhancing the confidence to be seen, stand tall, and lead with clarity
These sessions are particularly effective during periods of change or uncertainty.
How can organisations book Elly Johnson?
Organisations can connect via the contact page.
Elly delivers keynotes across Australia and internationally, both in person and virtually. Bookings are typically secured 8 to 12 weeks in advance.
Elly is a gifted presenter who uses her intellect, experience and sense of humour to engage the audience.

















