John Carlin

Expert in leadership, journalist, writer and interviewer

English

Spanish

Travels from

Spain

Barcelona

What are the Expert’s Topics?

Topics

Specific topics

Accountabilty

Actores y Actrices

attitude

communication

Creativity

employee engagement

empowerment

Engagement

ethics

Ethics and Social Responsibility

innovation

inspiration

International Affairs

Invictus

journalism

Leadership

Mandela

personal growth

resilience

Skills

Storytelling

About the Expert

Who Is John Carlin?

John Carlin is an award-winning journalist, author, and speaker known for his ability to inspire and educate through compelling narratives. His book, *Playing the Enemy*, which inspired the film *Invictus* directed by Clint Eastwood, is a global touchstone for lessons on leadership and reconciliation. Carlin is a world authority on Nelson Mandela, whom he knew personally, and much of his work delves into Mandela’s exceptional leadership qualities, empathy, and strategic brilliance.

Carlin’s journalistic and literary contributions merge intellectual rigor with emotive storytelling, making him a sought-after speaker who captivates audiences worldwide.

What is his Background?

John Carlin has built his career around exploring politics, leadership, and social dynamics in complex contexts. He covered South Africa’s democratic transition and wrote *Playing the Enemy*, a detailed account of how Mandela used rugby to unite a divided nation. The book earned praise from *The New York Times* and *Financial Times* as an intimate and insightful portrait of Mandela.

Carlin also produced the Emmy-nominated documentary *The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela* and the Emmy-winning *The 16th Man*. His journalism has been honored with awards such as the Ortega y Gasset Prize (2000), the Bancarella Prize in Italy (2010), and the Agustín Merello Communication Award (2014).

Speaker’s Conferences

What Are His Conferences Like?

John Carlin’s conferences are deeply inspiring, rooted in real-life stories that blend practical leadership lessons with captivating anecdotes. Speaking without notes, he tailors each presentation to the specific needs of his audience, addressing business challenges, conflict resolution, or leadership inspiration. His talks evoke the qualities of Mandela—strategic generosity, empathy, perseverance, and moral integrity—delivering an emotional, educational, and memorable experience.

Selection of Conferences

Mandela: The Human Factor in Great Leadership

Timeless lessons on how Mandela’s empathy, wisdom, and integrity can be applied to modern leadership in any field, from business to public policy.

Leading in Times of Crisis: Lessons from South Africa

An analysis of managing conflicts and transforming challenges into opportunities, based on Carlin’s firsthand experiences during South Africa’s democratic transition.

The Strategy of Generosity: Mandela as a Leadership Model

Explores how strategic generosity combined with pragmatism can resolve conflicts, inspire trust, and build successful teams.

The Art of Reconciliation: Building Bridges in Divided Societies

Key lessons on negotiation and conflict resolution from Mandela’s example in healing racial divides in South Africa.

Writing to Inspire: Stories That Transform

Carlin shares his creative process, from his work on Mandela to collaborating with Clint Eastwood, highlighting how storytelling can influence and transform audiences.

More about the Expert

Videos

Book John Carlin for your Event

Do You Want To Book John Carlin?

If you’re looking for an inspiring talk on leadership, conflict resolution, or the legacy of Nelson Mandela, you can book John Carlin through Thinking Heads. As an expert in leadership and an exceptional storyteller, John offers unique perspectives to transform and inspire organizations and individuals. Contact Thinking Heads today for more information and to secure his participation in your next event.

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