Profile of Dr. Nikolai A. Behr
Effective communication – in front of the camera from an early age
He has already touched millions of people, most of whom didn’t even know how to spell “communication” back then. As a child in front of the camera – and later as the voice of “Karl” in TKKG – speaker Nikolai A. Behr has been practicing empathetic communication from an early age. Today, he is a keynote speaker on the topics of communication and trust, appearing on stages at home and abroad and inspiring executives, decision-makers, and teams with a topic that is more relevant than ever in times of crisis, change, and AI: genuine, empathetic communication on an equal footing – and the trust that results from it. Dr. Nikolai A. Behr’s speeches are compelling thanks to a realistic mix of experience, attitude, and resilience. His mission: to strengthen leadership through communication – in the future, especially in times when trust becomes the hardest currency.
Nikolai A. Behr’s career? Unconventional, rich in experience, and full of diversity: as a teenager, he founded a school newspaper, acquired advertising customers, and learned the basics of presentation, argumentation, and target group analysis—long before “personal branding” even existed. What sets him apart: an alert mind, broad education, and a biographical depth that makes his keynotes on leadership skills in communication authentic. With a doctorate in environmental policy science and an MBA (TU Munich, Columbia University, USC Los Angeles), he combines theory with practice and brings decades of experience in media, management, and journalism to the table.
Communications expert with global experience
During his career, he has worked for Bayerischer Rundfunk, CBS Seattle, TV Berlin, and BMW, among others. There, he established an internal TV program for employees—in German and English—was responsible for interview formats with board members, accompanied trade fair appearances worldwide, and managed complex communication projects. As a speaker on the topic of trust, he became the voice for transparent, empathetic, and clear communication in a corporate context.
But he always looks ahead: he understands digitalization, knows AI not only from theory, and knows how the demands on leadership are changing. Today, leadership is no longer just about organizing—it’s about inspiring. And that can only be achieved through effective communication, genuine listening, and empathy. His speeches bring this to life. He shows that what goes on in your head is not automatically what your counterpart understands—and that communication always begins with clarity about the goal, target audience, and message.
As founder of the German Institute for Communication and Media Training® (DIKT), he coaches executives, board members, and teams in seven languages. He knows that only those who learn to speak clearly and empathetically can provide guidance in times of crisis, future technologies, and social change. His training and speeches topics range from one-on-one conversations and media appearances to digital communication and leadership in hybrid work environments.
Speaker, motivator, human
His keynotes are not theoretical speeches. They are engaging, interactive, and always delivered with a twinkle in his eye—full of stories, eye-opening moments, and practical knowledge. As a keynote speaker on the topic of communication, Dr. Nikolai A. Behr takes his audience on a journey through real leadership situations, intercultural misunderstandings, digital faux pas, and classic communication mistakes – and shows ways to do better. In his speeches on trust, empathy, leadership, and communication, the experienced keynote speaker creates spaces for reflection and personal development, where even sensitive topics have their place.
Whether for medium-sized businesses or large corporations, whether for executive development, change processes, or corporate communications: he brings clarity to complex contexts, strengthens empathy as a leadership tool, and inspires a new understanding of leadership that also holds true in the world of AI and digitalization. As a speaker on communication, he combines experience with the future. As a speaker on the topic of trust, Nikolai Behr provides inspiration that has a lasting effect.
And as a person? He remains curious. He travels a lot, learns about different cultures, thinks in a networked way—and bakes his own bread.
Dr. Behr is a member of the German Speaker Association e.V. and supports it on a voluntary basis as a lecturer at the GSA Academy. With the course “Fit for the Interview,” he accompanies course participants together with his DIKT colleague Georg von Stein for one day and supports them in becoming professional speakers. The GSA is the leading professional association for professional speakers, trainers, and coaches in German-speaking countries. Through the umbrella organization Global Speakers Federation (GSF), the GSA is connected to over 6,000 experts worldwide.
Nikolai A. Behr is also a member of the National Speakers Association, the world’s largest association of speakers, and regularly participates in its training programs and annual conventions.