Oliver Schneider: Leading in extreme situations

Oliver Schneider: When decisions made under pressure determine success or disaster

“In a crisis, there is no perfect solution—there is only the right decision at the right moment.”

Oliver Schneider takes to the stage with this principle in mind. As a former officer in the German Special Forces (KSK), crisis and risk expert, and keynote speaker, he knows what he is talking about. His experience comes not from theory, but from real-life extreme situations in which leadership, clarity, and mental strength are crucial.

Oliver Schneider – What makes his perspective special:

Oliver Schneider knows situations in which decisions cannot be postponed. No committee, no workshop, no second attempt – just responsibility in the moment. This experience continues to shape his view of leadership to this day.

After his time with the special forces, Oliver Schneider shifted his focus to risk, crisis, and security management. For many years, he has been advising companies internationally—especially in highly critical situations such as cyber extortion, negotiation situations, and strategic threats. This is not just about technology, but about decision-making ability under massive pressure.

It is precisely this combination of military experience and economic reality that makes his work so relevant for companies. Because the same applies in organizations: when uncertainty increases, clarity is needed – not perfection.

“Fear is not a sign of weakness – what matters is whether you remain capable of acting despite it,” says Schneider. This attitude also shapes his work as a speaker.

A particular focus of his work is dealing with cyber extortion. When IT systems are paralyzed, sensitive data is threatened, and economic livelihoods are at stake, he supports management teams in acting in a structured, calm, and strategic manner. His lectures provide insight into this reality – without sensationalism, but with great impact.

He never dramatizes the situation. Instead, he shows how crucial preparation, role clarification, and clear communication are in order to remain capable of acting in exceptional situations.

Oliver Schneider also became known for his book “Der Wille entscheidet” (The Will Decides), in which he reflects on his experiences from special forces missions and crisis situations. It is less about adventure and more about mental strength, preparation, and leadership in exceptional situations. The parallels to the corporate world are obvious.

As a speaker, he transfers the principles from high-risk situations to business contexts:

• How do you make decisions when information is incomplete?
• How do you communicate clearly when uncertainty prevails?
• How does a team remain capable of acting when pressure and responsibility increase dramatically?

These questions are no longer limited to crisis scenarios, but affect the everyday management of many organizations – in times of digitalization, uncertainty, and constant change.

His keynotes combine these questions with concrete patterns of action. Topics include:

• leadership in crisis,
• negotiation strategies,
• resilience, mental strength, and
• dealing professionally with cyber threats.

In doing so, he achieves something rare: he creates excitement – without dramatizing – and relevance that has a lasting effect.

Oliver Schneider speaks calmly, clearly, and with focus. His impact comes not from volume, but from credibility. Anyone who listens to him quickly realizes that this is not about motivation for motivation’s sake, but about orientation and the ability to act.

Book Oliver Schneider at Premium Speakers

Oliver Schneider is a speaker for companies that don’t ask themselves whether a crisis is coming, but how they will deal with it. His lectures do not provide ready-made solutions, but they sharpen attitude, decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility.

“Crises cannot be prevented, but you can learn to deal with them confidently.”

Book Oliver Schneider as a keynote speaker for your event: 1 (704) 804 1054 or oliver.schneider@premium-speakers.com