About Dave Mitchell | Founder of The Leadership Difference

The Leadership Difference

Our Story

It started in 1995 with a simple motto…”laugh and learn”.

It started in 1995 with a clear vision…”to positively affect the life of every person with whom we come in contact.”

It started in 1995 with a clear mission…”to provide thought provoking perspectives on work and life shared through humor.”

Now, over 30 years later, through over 2,500 events, four award-winning books, and after touching the lives of over 450,000 people we are still consistently hearing,

“this was one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

Who is Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and founder of the Leadership Difference, Inc.- a firm he launched in 1995 after over a decade in broadcasting and executive leadership roles. Since then, more than 450,000 people have attended his engaging “enter-TRAIN-ment” seminars, blending insight with humor on leadership, customer service, sales, and personal performance.

He’s trusted by major brands like Disney, Hilton, Universal Studios, Bank of America, and even the CIA to elevate their teams and transform organizational culture.

With an undergraduate degree in Mass Communications and a Master's of Education in Global Human Resources Development, Dave has been named Best Speaker of the Year at the World Education Congress in Las Vegas and was listed as a Top Speaker of the Year by Meetings & Conventions Magazine. He chairs the Business Advisory Committee for Walla Walla Community College, is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and is a (what!?) certified advanced wine sommelier. Yep, wine is Dave's side hustle when not listening to music.

An accomplished author, Dave has written four books — including The Power of Understanding People (Amazon Editor’s Choice), The Power of Understanding Yourself (Training Magazine Editor's Pick) and Peak Performance Culture: The Five Metrics of Organizational Excellence.

When he's not speaking or writing, you’ll find him enjoying life in Washington wine country with his wife Lori, two adult children, two horses, and jazz-loving dogs Mingus and Miles.

What Type of Speaker is Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell’s style is best described as enter-train-ment. As a speaker and organizational expert, Dave takes great pride in using proven principles in applied performance and cognitive psychology and delivering a high impact training experience that is also incredibly entertaining.

Laugh and learn is his motto. Dave’s clients include AT&T, Allstate Insurance, Chase Manhattan Banks, Citi Group, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, General Dynamics, Electrolux Appliances, SubZero/Wolf Appliances, Trek Bikes, National Association of Realtors, Novartis, Bayer Pharmaceutical, Hilton Worldwide and the CIA.

Participants consistently rate Dave’s presentations very highly, with comments such as: “absolutely amazing”, “life-changing” and “best training we’ve ever experienced”. Meetings and Conventions Magazine named Dave one of the top speakers of 2015. Meeting Professionals International named Dave the Meeting Madness winner for best speaker of the year at the 2013 World Education Congress.