Organisational psychologist on the faculty at Columbia and bestselling author on teams and leadership
Dr David Burkus is an organisational psychologist who serves on the faculty at Columbia University and the bestselling author of five books about business and leadership. His research on leadership, teamwork and collaboration is aimed at changing how companies approach performance, and his work distils social science research into practical frameworks that leaders can apply the day after they hear them.
He works with leaders in organisations across industries, including PepsiCo, Fidelity, Adobe and NASA. His work and commentary have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, CNN, the BBC, NPR, CBS, Forbes, the Financial Times and Inc. Since 2017 he has been ranked multiple times as one of the world's top business thinkers.
David speaks on teams, trust, collaboration and the counterintuitive truths behind high performance — making complex organisational science both accessible and immediately actionable for leaders at every level.
David Burkus is a keynote speaker based overseas who speaks on business strategy, innovation and leadership. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
The Surprising Science of High-Performing Teams.
Every leader wants to build a high-performing team, and nearly everyone wants to be on one. But most teams fail to perform at their optimal level. We try to recruit star players, improve compensation, give copious feedback, obsess over engagement surveys, and in the end, we still don't have the results we want and often feel we're out of options. But the secret to unlocking performance isn't recruiting new teammates or designing the perfect incentive. The most effective teams became that way by building the habits and culture of the team that allows for optimal performance.
Talent doesn't make the team; the team makes the talent.
That's what building the best team ever is all about. When you focus on improving the culture of the teams you lead–or the teams you're on–you create an environment that improves the performance of everyone on it. In this entertaining and enlightening keynote, Dr. David Burkus reveals the secrets of the highest-performing teams in the world and how you can get started tomorrow applying those secrets. Leaders will leave with a clear and concise understanding of how the culture of their team affects its performance, and a simple and practical blueprint for how to build the best team ever.
Why Some Teams Collaborate Fast and Others Just Collapse
Every leader dreams of a team that just "clicks," one that collaborates effortlessly, tackles challenges head-on, and delivers results time and time again. But not every team reaches this pinnacle of performance. Some teams struggle from the beginning, others start strong and fall apart. And many just coast along. In each case, engagement breaks down and performance suffers. Why is it that some teams break records while others just break down?
Most leaders think the solution is more talent, more resources, or even more meetings. But the real key is mastering the two elements of great collaboration: clarity and empathy. When people understand not just their roles and responsibilities (clarity), but also the personalities and work preferences of their teammates (empathy), their teams operate at a higher level. When they don't, they're just one misunderstanding away from collapse.
In this evidence-based, high-energy keynote, Dr. David Burkus will reveal the surprising science behind why some teams succeed while others spiral into dysfunction. You'll learn how to establish instant clarity, alignment, and accountability, even in the newest or most complex teams. And you'll leave with research-backed insights, practical tools, and actionable strategies to elevate your team's performance immediately.
Ready to unlock effortless collaboration and unstoppable performance?
Let's make your team "click."
The Science of Creative Collaboration
As the challenges organisations face seem to compound, we need innovative ideas more than ever. But many teams struggle to find and implement their brightest ideas. Much of this struggle comes from a common misconception: you can't create an innovative company teaching individuals to be more creative. Instead, research reveals that "lone creators" are historically rare and for most innovations, creativity is a team sport.
Teams bring a broader perspective and a more diverse set of solutions, but only if they know how to leverage the wisdom of everyone involved.
By combining insights from social science research and practical takeaways from the most innovative companies and teams, Dr. David Burkus outlines a prescription for any team or organisation to work more creatively together, without silos, politics, or frustration. You'll learn how to leverage the expertise of the whole team, how to harness conflict to strengthen ideas, and how to find and implement the best solutions to the challenges your teams face.
The Hidden Pattern that Builds (or Breaks) Teams
Every leader wants a team they can trust. Every teammate wants to know their trust is earned. But here's the reality: Trust isn't built in a moment; it's grown over time with each and every interaction.
Trust isn't given. Trust isn't earned. Trust is reciprocated.
The highest-performing teams don't just hope for trust—they build it, reinforce it, and protect it through a powerful feedback cycle–The Trust Loop. Every time trust is extended, it needs to be met with respect to keep the cycle going.
In this dynamic and research-backed keynote, Dr. David Burkus reveals a proven framework for reinforcing trust in every interaction. You'll learn why trust erodes faster than you think—and how to prevent it from slipping away, but also how great teams recover from failures and setbacks without losing trust. And you'll leave with a practical blueprint to strengthen trust and drive results.
Let's get The Trust Loop going.
“What an incredibly energizing keynote speech! David was not only very polished and delivered an engaging message, he also played off the audience and engaged THEM in the conversation. It was absolute excellence.”IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY
“David received very high ratings for providing useful and valuable information for attendees. Also, his approach was well received and he was very engaging. He clearly had done his homework about the work the participants are involved in, and that allowed folks to make those direct connections to their own work.”THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION
“The team and I appreciated all David did to understand our challenges and tailor his talk to meet the needs of our workforce. David provided us with tips and practices we can easily implement.”NASA
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