One of the best things you can do to ensure the success of your event is hiring a great speaker.
Among the types of professionals available, there are two you need to think of when organizing your event:
1. The keynote speaker and
2. The guest speaker
So what is the difference between a keynote speaker and guest speaker?
Continue reading “Difference Between A Guest Speaker & Keynote Speaker”
If you are looking to book a speaker, you might be wondering: “How much does a speaker cost?”
The quick answer is that on average, professional speakers can range from $5000 to $100,000 depending on the speaker you are looking to hire.
Most professional speakers that are “easy to work with” are in the $10,000 to $50,000 range.
In this article, you will learn:
When booking a professional speaker for your event, it’s essential to understand the various factors that influence their fees.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and select a speaker that aligns with your budget and event goals.
Here are the main factors to consider:
Speakers with extensive experience in their field, such as those who have been working for 30 years or more, will typically charge higher fees than those with less experience, such as someone who has been in their line of work for 10 years. This is because experienced speakers bring a wealth of knowledge, insights, and credibility to your event.
Speakers who have been on the speaking circuit for a long time and have honed their presentation skills will often command higher fees than those who are just starting out. Experienced speakers have a proven track record of delivering engaging and impactful presentations, which justifies their higher rates.
Keynote speeches, which are typically the main highlight of an event, often command higher fees than guest speaker slots or panelist positions due to the expectation of a high-impact, inspiring, and longer presentation.
Discussion panels or fireside chats may require less preparation and be shorter in duration, resulting in lower fees.
Speakers who are in high demand and have limited availability will typically charge more than those who have fewer bookings or are not as busy. This is a simple matter of supply and demand – the more sought-after a speaker is, the higher their fees will be.
If you want to book a speaker with a well-known brand or a celebrity status, you can expect to pay a premium for their name recognition alone. These speakers often draw larger audiences and generate more buzz for your event, but this comes at a higher cost.
The size of your audience can also impact a speaker’s fees. If you are hosting a large conference and selling tickets, a speaker may charge more than they would for a smaller seminar or workshop. This is because the preparation and delivery required for a larger audience is often more extensive and time-consuming.
The structure and format of your event will also play a role in determining a speaker’s fees. For example, a keynote address at a major conference will typically command a higher fee than a breakout session or a panel discussion. Similarly, a full-day workshop will likely cost more than a 60-minute presentation.
On average, you can expect a speaker to charge 20 to 50% less for a virtual event. This is because it is much easier for the speaker to do a virtual event as they save a great deal of time on travel.
Unless your event is being held in a major market like New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you will likely need to cover the speaker’s travel expenses, such as airfare, lodging, and ground transportation.
Additionally, if you are booking a well-known “big name” speaker, they may have specific requirements on their rider, such as first-class travel, a certain type of hotel room, or specific audio-visual equipment. These additional costs can add up quickly and should be factored into your overall budget.
The duration of the speaker’s presentation can impact their fees. A longer presentation, such as a half-day or full-day workshop, will typically cost more than a shorter keynote speech or breakout session.
This is because longer presentations require more preparation, content creation, and time commitment from the speaker.
On average, speaking fees are per hour, but you can negotiate with the speaker if you require additional time and adjust the fee accordingly.
If you request that the speaker customize their presentation to your specific industry, audience, or event theme, they may charge a higher fee. This is because customization requires additional research, preparation, and tailoring of the content to ensure it resonates with your audience and meets your event objectives.
Some speakers may charge a premium for exclusivity, meaning they will not speak at other events in your industry or geographic area within a certain timeframe. This can be particularly important if you want to position your event as unique or exclusive.
If you plan to record the speaker’s presentation for future use, such as selling access to the recording or using it for marketing purposes, the speaker may charge an additional fee for the recording rights. This is to compensate for the potential impact on their intellectual property and the ongoing use of their content.
Some speakers may provide additional support materials, such as handouts, worksheets, or digital resources, to accompany their presentation. These materials can enhance the learning experience for your audience, but they may also come at an additional cost.
The speaker’s payment terms can also impact their fees. For example, some speakers may require a higher deposit or full payment upfront, while others may offer more flexible payment terms. It’s important to clarify these terms in advance to avoid any surprises or misunderstandings.
Most speakers will have a cancellation policy that outlines the terms and fees associated with canceling or rescheduling their appearance. It’s crucial to review and understand this policy before booking a speaker, as it can impact your budget and planning.
If you are wondering how much does a speaker charge, here is a list of speaker fees:
These are novice speakers who are starting out and do not have a lot of experience. They may be building their speaking skills and portfolio, and are often willing to speak for free or for a lower fee to gain exposure and experience.
Depending on what you are looking for, you might be able to find a local speaker in this range who can satisfy your needs, but keep in mind that their lack of experience may be reflected in their presentation quality and impact.
As the saying goes, “You get what you pay for”.
The speakers in this range are the starting point for someone who considers themselves a “professional speaker“. They generally have a decent amount of experience and have demonstrated some level of expertise in their craft to charge this amount.
However, these speakers are less well-known and have not really established themselves as thought leaders in their industry.
It is important to note that most speaker agencies do not work with speakers who charge less than $5000 because those speakers are often not considered sufficiently qualified or experienced, and the bureau cannot endorse them.
In fact, most bureaus rates start at $10,000 because they just don’t want to take the risk of working with speakers who have not “graduated” to this level.
This is the range where most “proven” professional speakers start.
These are the experts who not only have demonstrated a great deal of experience in their craft but have also honed their speaking skills, ensuring that when they deliver a presentation, they will definitely make an impact on your audience.
If you truly want to gain access to a wider range of high-quality speakers, it is highly recommended that you set a budget of a minimum of $10,000, as it will give you access to what is considered the industry standard of “professional speaker”.
This is the price range where you start to gain access to a higher caliber of speaker.
These professionals have established themselves as thought leaders and authorities in their field and are much more in demand.
This is also the starting range for a “celebrity speaker” or someone with some brand name recognition, who can bring a level of prestige and excitement to your event.
In this price range, you are now gaining access to the top-tier speakers in an industry who are very well-known.
They are the established thought leaders in their field and are highly sought after for their expertise and speaking abilities.
These are the people you hire if you want to have a “wow factor” at your event, where your attendees will be excited and impressed by the caliber of the speaker.
This is the price range where you are gaining access to big-name celebrity speakers in the industry.
All of the speakers that charge above $75K are the most recognizable names in their field, and their presence at your event can generate significant buzz and interest.
These speakers are often booked far in advance and have very limited availability, so it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared to invest in their fees if you want to secure them for your event.
Booking high-profile speakers in the $75,000 and above price range is not for the faint of heart. It requires a significant investment of time, resources, and effort, as well as a demonstrated level of professionalism and credibility. We will explain more below.
If you have never booked a speaker before, you might be shocked at how much they charge for a one-hour presentation.
It’s common for clients to question why speakers charge so much for what seems like a short amount of time on stage.
However, once you understand the factors that need to be taken into consideration, the speaker’s perspective becomes more understandable.
Here are the four main reasons why speaker fees can be so costly:
When you hire an expert to speak at your event or company meeting, you are asking them to synthesize and distill their years of experience for your audience.
Many of these speakers have up to 40 years of experience in their field, and you are essentially paying for access to that knowledge and insight.
The fee reflects the value of their expertise and the impact it can have on your audience or organization.
If a speaker has to travel to your event or meeting, they are likely to lose at least two days of their life doing so.
From the speaker’s perspective, this is a significant cost, as they are losing time that they could be spending on other projects or engagements.
The fee helps to compensate for this lost time and the inconvenience of travel.
While the presentation itself may only last 60 to 90 minutes, the amount of time that goes into preparing for it is often much longer.
On average, it takes a speaker one hour of preparation for every one minute of their speech.
This means that a 60-minute presentation can require up to 60 hours of preparation time, not including any customization that may be needed to tailor the content to your specific audience or event.
If the speaker has a recognizable name or is considered a thought leader in their industry, you can expect to pay a premium for this level of credibility and brand recognition.
This is because a well-known speaker can help to attract attendees, generate buzz, and lend prestige to your event.
It’s important to keep in mind that the speaker’s fee is not just for the time they spend on stage, but for the cumulative value they bring to your event.
This includes their expertise, the time they invest in preparation and travel, and the impact that their name and reputation can have on your audience and your event as a whole.
When it comes to booking speakers in the $75,000 and above price range, it’s important to understand that the process can be quite challenging.
These high-profile, in-demand speakers are often booked months, if not years, in advance, and their schedules are tightly managed.
Many event planners and organizations reach out to us with the hope of securing them for their event, only to be disappointed when they discover that the speaker is unavailable or unwilling to commit.
The first thing you need to understand about these speakers is that they generally only accept a handful of speaking engagements per year.
Second, to successfully book a speaker in this price range, it is crucial to demonstrate a high level of professionalism, trust, and credibility.
These speakers are very protective of their brand and reputation, and they will only associate themselves with organizations that they believe are reputable and capable of hosting a high-quality event.
This means that you need to be well-prepared when approaching these speakers, with a clear vision for your event, a solid budget, and a track record of successful events in the past.
In addition to establishing your credibility, booking these high-profile speakers requires a great deal of coordination and flexibility. You may need to work around their existing commitments, travel schedules, and other logistical considerations. This can involve multiple rounds of negotiation, as well as close collaboration with the speaker’s management team or booking agency.
It’s also worth noting that even if you are able to secure a high-profile speaker, there may be additional costs and requirements associated with their appearance. These can include first-class travel arrangements, luxury accommodations, and extensive audio-visual setups.
As an event planner, it’s important to factor these costs into your overall budget and to be prepared to meet the speaker’s requirements in order to ensure a successful event.
If you’re looking to save money on speaker fees, there are two main strategies you can consider:
One of the most significant costs associated with booking a speaker is travel. Not only does it eat up a lot of the speaker’s time, but it can also be a major headache in terms of logistics and expenses.
By opting for a virtual presentation instead of an in-person one, you can easily save between 10% to 30% of the speaker’s fee. Many speakers are now well-equipped to deliver engaging and impactful virtual presentations, and this option can be a great way to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
Another way to potentially reduce the upfront speaker fee is to offer the speaker the opportunity to generate additional revenue through your event or organization. For example, you could allow the speaker to sell their books, courses, or other services to your audience.
If the speaker sees the potential for significant backend revenue, they may be willing to charge less for their initial speaking fee.
However, it’s important to note that this approach may not work for all speakers, particularly those who are in high demand or have a strong brand name. These speakers may not be as motivated by the potential for additional revenue and may prefer to stick to their standard fee structure.
When considering these options, it’s important to weigh the potential cost savings against your overall event goals and priorities. While a virtual presentation can be a great way to save money, there may be certain situations where an in-person appearance is more impactful or appropriate.
Similarly, while offering a backend revenue stream can be appealing to some speakers, it may not align with your event strategy or audience expectations.
Ultimately, the key to saving money on speaker fees is to be flexible, creative, and willing to negotiate. This is also why it is highly beneficial to work with a speakers bureau who can help guide you.
Speaker fees can be a source of confusion for many event planners, as they often fluctuate and vary depending on a number of factors.
It’s not uncommon to see different prices listed on different websites or to hear that another organization paid a different fee for the same speaker. This can make it challenging to accurately budget for your event and to know what to expect in terms of costs.
One of the main reasons for these fluctuations is that speaker fees are often based on the speaker’s availability and demand at any given time. If a speaker is in high demand and has a busy schedule, they may command a higher fee than if they have more open availability.
Also, if a speaker has a last-minute cancellation or a gap in their schedule, they may be willing to accept a lower fee for a booking that fills that slot.
Another factor that can influence speaker fees is the specific nature of the event and the requirements of the engagement. A speaker may charge a different fee for a keynote address than they would for a workshop or a multi-day training session.
They may also charge more for an event that requires significant customization or preparation, or for an engagement that involves a particularly large or high-profile audience.
Given these variables, it’s not surprising that most websites and booking agencies don’t list exact speaker fees. Instead, they often provide a ballpark range or a starting point for negotiations. These figures can give you a general sense of what to expect, but they should not be considered final or binding.
To get an accurate quote for a specific speaker and event, you will need to go through the negotiation process. This typically involves contacting the speaker or their representative directly, either through their website or through a booking agency. You’ll need to provide details about your event, including the date, location, audience size and composition, and any specific requirements or requests you may have.
Based on this information, the speaker or their representative will provide you with a more detailed quote and a sense of their availability and interest in the engagement. From there, you can negotiate terms, discuss any additional costs or requirements, and work towards a final agreement.
While this process can take some time and effort, it’s the only way to truly know the price of a speaker and to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your event. By being transparent about your budget and your needs, and by being open to negotiation and compromise, you can often find a speaker and a fee structure that works for your organization and your audience.
Need help finding the right speaker?
Let one of our agents guide you in this process so it can save you a lot of time and headaches.
Are you interested in becoming a keynote speaker?
Do you love the idea of talking in front of large audiences and getting paid to do it?
Have you been contemplating the idea about what its like to be one and are now considering diving in?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become a professional keynote speaker so you can launch a successful career getting paid to speak.
Before we get into what is involved to do this job, you must first understand the difference between a keynote, guest, and motivational speaker:
The reasons this matters is because if you want to establish yourself as a keynote speaker, it means that you will eventually need to establish yourself as a trusted authority which we will get into further along in this article.
See also
Here are the 7 steps you should take on your journey to becoming a paid keynote speaker:
Why do you want to be a keynote speaker?
What about this excites you?
A good speaker is someone who is authentic, genuine, passionate, and mission driven.
You need to actually love doing this and for the right reasons.
If you are only looking for a paycheck, rest assured there are simpler ways of making this type of money.
Or, if you are looking to be “the man/woman” and you are seeking validation or to feel significant, please check your ego at the door.
If you are sincere about your desires to do this, then make sure you have a clear purpose as to “why” because people will be attracted to you for these reasons.
Also, there is a tough road ahead (which you are about to find out) and without a good “why?”, you will most likely give up.
It should go without saying that you should be able to get up on stage and speak with confidence.
Before someone will pay you to get on their stage, you will need to have honed your skills as a speaker which includes:
And the best way to do this is by:
A. Recording yourself
Every time you speak you should be recording yourself so you can see what you are doing.
Yes, it’s painful to watch and it will feel odd or strange seeing yourself.
But one of the best ways to improve is to continuously watch yourself, take notes, and adjust accordingly.
B. Watch other speakers
Spend as much time going out to other events and watch how the speakers do their thing.
Take notes about what you like and don’t like.
And most importantly, pay attention to how the audience responds to the speaker.
Watch TED Talks and pay close attention to the way the speakers give their speeches.
C. Get real world experience
Go out there and just start talking even if its for free because you need to start gaining momentum.
You need to get into the habit of getting up in front of people and talking so you can overcome your stage fright and work on these skills.
Practice public speaking any chance you get, be it in front of a mirror or in front of a small audience. Friends and family can be your first listeners.
When you’re just starting out, you need experience. Accept every invitation you receive, even if the event is not the best one. The more you speak in public, the better you will get.
Every speaking event you take part in adds up when it comes to learning proper body language, audience management and presentation skills.
Moreover, you can join a group such as Toastmasters, where you will have the chance to give short talks and improve your communications skills.
If you are not familiar with them, they are an organization that is dedicated to helping young speakers get their start.
Keep in mind that the goal of practicing your skills until you master them is so that you:
Do not move on to the next steps until you have this one down.
D. Get feedback
Be open to criticism and gathering as much feedback as you can.
If you have a bruised ego, good!
You need to kill that thing as soon as possible so it wont affect you.
Getting honest and constructive feedback will help you get better faster.
Don’t be afraid to ask for constructive opinions after your talk and find out from your listeners what you could have done better.
The quicker you accept that you suck, the sooner you can get better.
What topic or industry will you be focusing on?
What problem are you solving?
Which audience are you serving?
The worst decision you can make is by trying to be everything to everyone or being too general.
When companies and organizations hire a keynote speaker, they are generally looking for someone who is specific to their niche.
For example, some speakers focus on innovation, marketing, business, or inspirational.
Being focused on a niche is beneficial because you will:
Yes choosing a niche can feel a bit stressful because you might worry that its the wrong one.
You might have to go through a process of trial and error.
But in the long run, once you pick it, things will get much easier because companies and organizations will want to choose you over the generalist.
Building your brand is tightly connected to choosing your niche.
In fact, you can’t build your brand until you choose your niche.
This is why step 3 is so important.
You need to position yourself in your industry so that you are remember as the person that does “this thing”.
Just look at any major brand and they are all easily remembered for their one thing.
So the question you have to ask yourself is:
The four ways a speaker can do this is by:
A. Crafting a powerful message
Did you overcome a major obstacle or deal with adversity?
Did you achieve something that few can do?
Having a powerful message is one way you can build your brand.
B. Solving a problem
Did you come up with solution that can change the world or your industry?
Did you find new ways to improve your business or organization.
If you are known for innovation or being a problem solver, you can build your brand this way.
C. Tell a fantastic story
Do you have some new perspective or insights from something amazing in your life?
Did you experience something radical that would keep people on the edge of their seats?
If you have a fantastic story to tell, then this is another way to build your brand.
D. Having a unique perspective
Lets face it, most of everything that needs to be covered has been said.
But your perspective is what can make it different.
In today’s Internet driven society, we are now what is called “synthesizers”.
Meaning, you take the information that is out there and put a unique spin on it.
All art and music is rehashed into something unique and remarkable.
One way to be remarkable is by thinking about something that doesn’t exist that you would like for it to exist.
If something already exists, find a way to make it better. Or, Look around and see what everyone else is doing. Then, do the opposite.
Speaking in public is the first basic skill you will need to work on to get the ball rolling.
The next step is working on your presentation skills.
Not only should you get comfortable with presenting slides, but you have to remember that a great keynote speaker is also an entertainer.
You are going to have thousands of people watching you.
Therefore there does have to be some showmanship if you don’t want people to get bored.
You are going to need to work on the visual components of your speech so that the audience is not just looking at you the entire time.
Event organizers only look for the best people to speak at their conferences.
They are looking for individuals who are established experts in their field that are trustworthy.
In order for you to be invited to give a keynote speech, you need to be recognized as an authority in your industry or niche.
The three fastest ways to do this are by:
You need to do what is called in the industry “Building your platform”.
If you look at any social media influencer, that is what they are doing.
They are using Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to build their platform and establish themselves as an authority.
Once again, this is why choosing a niche is so important because you need to focus on one thing and be known for that.
Believe it or not, this is the hardest part.
Some might assume getting over their fear of public speaking is the hard part, but its not.
The game of becoming a keynote speaker is 20% skill and 80% sales and marketing.
Once you decide to venture down this path, you are officially an entrepreneur who is running their own business.
This means that you must be the driving force behind your business because no one else is going to do it for you.
You have to manage product development (your presentation), marketing (website, social media, etc), sales (getting booked), and customer service (managing your bookings).
Here is a basic checklist of what you will need for an organization to consider you:
Here are some ways you can promote yourself and get some bookings:
Note: If you decide to publish a book, then you should be going out there and promoting it on podcasts and blogs. So book publishing and promoting is really one of the best ways to launch your keynote speaking career.
Here is a brief summary of what was covered:
If you need help on becoming a professional and paid keynote speaker, feel free to contact us.
Are you interested in becoming a keynote speaker?
Are you curious about what is involved with pursuing this path and what a day or week looks like for this profession?
In this article, you are going to learn what its like to be a keynote speaker and the top nine areas you will be focusing a lot of your energy on.
Are you looking to hire a keynote speaker for an event or conference?
Do you need help in figuring out how to find the best keynote speaker?
In this article, you are going to learn what to look for when working with a professional.
When it comes to organizing business events, seminars, or conferences, hiring a good keynote speaker can make all the difference.
A powerful and memorable speech will not only add color and gravitas to your message, but it will ensure that you will grab your audiences attention and keep them engaged for the duration of the event.
Events, seminars and conventions can be very powerful ways to get ideas across, train and even inspire your attendees.
Not only do they offer a welcome change to the day-to-day routine, but they also offer a unique opportunity for learning and networking with people in your field.
Known for his big laugh and warm smile, Les Brown has been speaking around the world for over twenty years touching peoples lives.
Before he became the US president, Barack Obama was a Senator from Illinois who came into the spotlight from his 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote speech. This was the speech that was to properly introduce the American public to him.
Simon Sinek is known for making the concept of “the golden circle” and to “Start With Why“ famous around the world. As a powerful motivational speaker, he has spoken at TED and many other illustrious events worldwide.
But the one that most millennial’s know him for is the one that “broke social media”. Here is the speech along with some reviews and comments from it:
Here’s my contribution. Simon is clearly quite intelligent, yet every speaker I hear, at some point disappoints me – this case is the struggle to define Passion – Our dictionaries are almost useless.
Passion is the combination of 4 distinctive energies that come together and explode.
1. Love that knows no constriction and restriction; Love without boundary
2. Unconfined and unharnessed enthusiasm, an excitement saturated and imbued with a sense of the divine and immortality. Passion is unbridled enthusiasm
3. Insatiable need, desire and drive
4. Unending longing for the intimacy that with blending and balance brings oneness, a longing and yearning for oneness.
These are the stuff of Passion. Any one or two or three of them doesn’t spark Passion. But when all 4 combine there is combustion. And if there were interest I would continue to explain how Passion gets lost and where Passion is found. Intelligence is bit different to educated knowledge. Knowledge takes our intelligence leaps beyond what it was and evolves the DNA – Earth is bankrupt when it comes to knowledge.
Success is a feeling. It’s about contribution, serving other’s. Passion is a feeling that you would do something for free and that you didn’t have to get paid for it. Find your passion and take accountability for your actions. Thank you Mulligan Brothers for this inspiring video. I start my day with videos like this and a positive thinking mode and attitude so that I can learn and grow to become a best person I can be.
These are my key takeaways from Simon Sinek. and in my opinion, I think he got all the answers on how to create a meaningful and impactful life to yourselves and to others.
1. Vision vs Goal – a goal is something you can measure but a vision is this infinite journey and gives you how to create a meaningful life.
2. Success is a feeling of contribution. so even low hierarchy position can achieve success when they have a greater sense of feeling of contribution and it is not the one whose goal is to reach $1M
3.Passion – what are the things you love to do and things you’ll do for free
4.Feel Fulfilled in life, Feel the love in life by working hard in the process and not working hard for the goal
5. If you feel nervous, you can translate it to excitement just by saying to your mind that you are excited that’s it.
6. You can take credit for everything as long as you take responsibility for everything.
7. It is not about outdoing everyone, it is about outdoing yourself, and become a better version better contribution than yesterday.
8. Authenticity – If you say what you believed and do what you believed, you’ll attract people who believed in what you believed in. Don’t be that person who changes his words, actions just to satisfy and get the attention of people. Cynicism is there.
9. To be a great leader. Do not nod yes or no, Train yourself to speak last why? because it makes the members of a group feel that they herd and the second one is they’ll also hear you.
Simon Sinek thank you so much. You have helped me more than you will ever know you will always have my respect. Hope you see this message thank you so so much.
Simon says success is a feeling. I think success is a thought. Your thought leads to your emotion/feeling of happiness or in some cases sadness. Either way, he does a great job. I have enjoyed many of his talks and suggest people listen to Simon often.
Simon, you are a true inspiration not just to me, but to so many of us who follow you. Every single person has their life that they’re trying to live and each one of us have our ups and downs throughout the day. I know I’ve got mine. From my dad passing right after he retired out of nowhere and my sister passing 90 days later from domestic violence. I’ve been through my fair share as we all have, however listening to you and taking your advice and applying what what I’ve personally learned from you is definitely helping me see the big picture. Let’s all do better in being a service to others and stay positive and happy. I know when I get an opportunity to help someone, boy is it such a wonderful feeling. I’d love to talk with you one on one. Keep doing what you’ve been doing. You’re helping so many.
Without being philosophical, success is a numbers game. Our perceptions and perspectives on success relates to numbers. Our schools, communities, government systems, business, church, and human support systems all play the numbers game. In school we are measured through our GPA. In the family environment, we even hear parents saying, can you not be like your brother or sister … with a high GPA? Bills come monthly like clock work in clear and indisputable numbers. Our employers pay us exact salaries, no more, maybe less. In society we are measured by the cars we drive, aren’t we? Be it a bicycle race or beauty contest, there’s only numero uno. Passion is nice but at the end of the day we all need cash, don’t we? Outside Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, what then is success? For me it’s simply being in the game … one day at a time doing, suffering, learning … just being there daily together with the people we care!
You can break the rules .. you just can”t get in the way of someone else getting what they want…” This is actually a lack of integrity. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The choice to break the rules and grab two bagels does impact other people. But in the moment the choice was made to disregard that. It was an act motivated by selfishness and an unwillingness to wait. I get that the intent was to eliminate the wait and have what he wanted – a bagel. But it’s still problematic.
