Eksteen de Waal

Eksteen de Waal is a leadership consultant, keynote speaker, writer, author, coach and storyteller.

Born and raised in South Africa, Eksteen brings a warm, direct and people-focused style to the stage. His nickname, "The Laughing Boeta", says a lot about his presence: approachable, energetic and always focused on connection. At the same time, his work is firmly rooted in experience, research and a deep fascination with the question of why people do or do not work well together.

His expertise lies at the intersection of leadership, team performance, working relationships and conflict. Eksteen helps leaders and teams understand what is happening beneath the surface: where trust grows, where tension arises and how relationships within organisations are decisive for performance, loyalty and engagement. His own platform, Exponentially Me, focuses on corporate wellness and on strengthening individuals and teams through authenticity, engagement and compassion.

With more than thirty years of professional experience, Eksteen has worked in consulting for the financial and technology sectors, in skills development as a senior trainer, and in various management and director roles. That broad background gives his work a practical foundation: he doesn't just speak about leadership, he knows the reality of teams, organisations and changing work environments from the inside.

As a speaker, Eksteen combines substance with humour, storytelling and personal anecdotes. He speaks about leadership teams, conflict resolution, working relationships, reflection, innovation and the human side of organisational development. His talks are designed not only to inspire people, but also to help them look differently at their own role in collaboration, tension and growth.