Thomas Farley is a workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, and coach known for his ability to make any topic engaging and relevant. He collaborates with audiences across generations and industries, focusing on improving workplace professionalism to create more fulfilling interactions and support career growth. According to Thomas, “Helping teams advance their professionalism in ways that bring more fulfilling workplace interactions—not to mention promotions—is one of the greatest rewards for what I do.”
A recognized media commentator, Thomas frequently appears on the NBC Today show and other platforms, offering insights on communication challenges and contemporary etiquette.
Thomas has worked with a wide range of industries, including banking, transportation, pharmaceuticals, education, government, real estate, energy, and legal sectors. His client roster includes notable organizations such as AAA, American Express, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, JPMorgan, Nielsen, Toyota Motor Corporation, UPS, Viacom, The Walt Disney Company, and Wells Fargo.
Thomas began his career in publishing, rising to a senior editor position at Town & Country magazine. Over nearly a decade, he authored feature stories on diverse topics, from exploring Antarctica’s natural wonders to experiencing the thrill of driving an Aston Martin in the south of France.
His storytelling abilities, honed during his years as a journalist, have taken him to remarkable places. He has flown with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, explored a nuclear-powered submarine, and reported from the volcanic ruins of Montserrat’s capital.
In 2009, Thomas transitioned to a new career chapter, offering workshops on communication and interpersonal skills to law firms and banks. He quickly realized the universal demand for professional development training and expanded his workshops to reach industries across the economy. Since partnering with Business Training Works in 2013, Thomas has broadened his teaching to include topics such as sales, negotiation, generational management, and effective communication.
Thomas is the editor of Modern Manners: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Social Graces (Hearst Books, 2005) and a contributor to The Expert’s Guide to Getting Things Done Faster (Clarkson Potter, 2008).
In addition to regular appearances on the NBC Today show, Thomas has been a guest on programs such as Dr. Oz and the Food Network. In 2017, he partnered with the Food Network on a major Snapchat campaign. Known in the media as “Mister Manners,” Thomas hosted a live, three-hour daily call-in show on Sirius-XM’s Martha Stewart Radio Network in 2012 and wrote an etiquette column for the New York Post.
His expertise has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, USA Today, Money, Los Angeles Times, Fortune, Forbes, Wired, Fast Company, and Real Simple. He is also a regular guest on local news shows across the country, including in San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Thomas holds a degree in political science from Fordham University in New York and is fluent in conversational Spanish.
Interactive, lively, unpretentious, and relatable.
I’m naturally inquisitive. To me, there is no such thing as a boring topic. Just boring questions. If you can see past the trite and obvious, there is always a greater story to be told—one that will resonate with audiences in a way that is meaningful and memorable. Having interviewed individuals from all walks of life—from corporate chieftains to Hollywood celebrities—I relish the challenge of establishing a quick rapport with different personality types and—in a very brief span of time—becoming trusted by them to hear and then share their story. In my work for our clients, I never underestimate the value of making a positive impression from the moment I step in front of a group. From there, it is my job to maintain and build upon that impression throughout the time we have together—whether it’s an hour or several days.
I’m often brought in by companies that warn me: “Our team has zero attention span…getting them to come to a three-hour workshop is a major deal, so don’t be offended if they start to drift.” At the conclusion of those very same workshops, the participants often approach me to report: “I can’t believe how quickly that time flew!” Or: “I thought this was going to be such a waste of my time, but I learned so much.” And the greatest compliment of all: “I wish the session had been longer!”
As a culture, we’re rapidly losing the ability to communicate meaningfully and without misunderstanding. It’s ironic because that’s happening in an age when we have more platforms for communicating than ever before. The tools for achieving workplace breakthroughs are all within our reach…we just need to know where to look for them and how to make them a regular part of our routine. That is a major focus in all of my programs.
I’ve had fantastic experiences with so many of our clients—some household names, some not. A few that stand out for their sheer uniqueness include the day I spent working with a Native American tribe in Washington State and a program I conducted for a group of coal miners in West Virginia. Both a far cry from my own life in Manhattan and yet so fascinating and enjoyable—as I hope it was for them as well.
It starts in the weeks before the session takes place. During advance planning calls with our clients, I home in on the specific challenges faced by their teams and ensure my presentation and participatory activities are germane to the attending staff. I seek out relevant case studies and, where possible, use role-play activities that are as real world for the participants as possible. And you’ll never find me using decks that are bogged down with text and bullet points. I use slides for visual impact only.
During a broadcast interview, I often have less than five minutes for a segment. It’s an adrenaline rush every time. I’ve yet to work with a corporate client who needs me to speak that quickly! But both situations require me to stay on message, and to deliver insights that stick with the audience long afterward.
I’m an avid runner, so having the chance to hit the streets and parks of the cities and towns where our clients operate is such a treat. My favorite out-of-town route is to cross the Golden Gate Bridge on a beautiful San Francisco morning. I’m also a foodie and a culture hound, so discovering new restaurants or museum exhibits, particularly in a location I’m visiting for the first time, ranks high on my list, too.
I’d love to be working with clients in Japan, Great Britain, France, and Germany. With my Spanish-language skills, I’d also like to bring our programs to Latin America. And, suffice it to say, I live for the day when we get a call for training on the Fiji Islands or in New Zealand.