Dr David Burkus

Dr. David Burkus is an organisational psychologist, bestselling author and one of the world’s leading business thinkers.

A Thinkers50 Ranked Thought Leader and Columbia University faculty member, David’s work focuses on how companies approach leadership, teamwork, and collaboration.

Since 2017, David has been ranked multiple times as one of the world’s top business thought leaders. His insights on leadership and teamwork have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, CNN, the BBC, NPR, and CBS This Morning.

As one of the world’s leading business thinkers, David works with organisations across all industries, including PepsiCo, Fidelity, Adobe, and NASA. David’s keynotes aren’t just entertaining and enlightening, they’re evidence based and immensely practical - offering leaders at all levels a set of actionable takeaways they can implement immediately.

BEST TEAM EVER: The surprising science of high-performing teams
Every leader wants to build a high-performing team, yet most teams fall short of their potential. We recruit star players, improve compensation, give feedback, and obsess over engagement surveys, but results still disappoint. The secret isn't finding more talent or perfecting incentives—it's building the habits and culture that enable people to perform at their best.

Talent doesn't make the team; the team makes the talent.

In this entertaining, research-backed keynote, Dr. David Burkus reveals the secrets of the world's highest-performing teams and how to apply them immediately. Leaders will discover how team culture drives performance and leave with a practical blueprint for building the best team ever.

CLICK: Why some teams collaborate fast and others just collapse
Some teams collaborate effortlessly and deliver results; others struggle, fall apart, or simply coast. Why do some teams break records while others break down?

The answer isn't more talent, resources, or meetings. Great collaboration depends on two essentials: clarity about roles and responsibilities, and empathy for teammates' personalities and work preferences.

In this high-energy, evidence-based keynote, Dr. David Burkus reveals the science behind successful collaboration. You'll learn practical ways to build clarity, alignment, and accountability, helping your team collaborate effectively and perform at a higher level.

THE TRUST LOOP: The hidden pattern that builds (or breaks) teams
Every leader wants a team they can trust. But trust isn't built in a moment; it grows through everyday interactions.

Trust isn't given. Trust isn't earned. Trust is reciprocated.

High-performing teams actively build and protect trust through a powerful feedback cycle: The Trust Loop. Every act of trust must be met with respect to keep the cycle going.

In this research-backed keynote, Dr. David Burkus reveals how to reinforce trust, prevent it from eroding, and recover from setbacks without losing it. You'll leave with a practical framework for strengthening relationships and driving results.

GROWTH ON PURPOSE: The hidden factor in high-performing teams
Many purpose initiatives rely on mission statements and campaigns, yet fail to connect with employees. Research shows that while 82 percent of employees say purpose matters, fewer than half feel their organization's purpose affects their work. The problem isn't communication—it's leadership.

People want meaningful work and leaders who show them they matter. Purpose becomes real when people understand who benefits from their work. When leaders make that connection visible, teams perform better, retain talent, and sustain motivation through challenges.

In this research-backed keynote, Dr. David Burkus reveals the science of prosocial purpose and the leadership behaviors that bring it to life. You'll gain practical tools to help people see the value of their contributions and connect their work to the people who depend on it.

SMARTER TEAMS: Building high-performing teams in the age of artificial intelligence
AI is transforming work, but the fundamentals of high-performing teams remain: clarity, connection, and trust. The opportunity isn't simply adopting new tools—it's rethinking how people and AI work together.

The best teams aren't just using AI; they're treating it as a teammate. They'll adapt faster than teams that fail to evolve.

In this insightful keynote, teamwork expert Dr. David Burkus explores how AI can free people to focus on innovation, strategy, and collaboration. You'll discover how AI can improve communication, reduce misunderstandings, strengthen transparency, and support trust. You'll also learn how to lead through uncertainty, build resilience, and foster continuous learning in an AI-enabled workplace.

The future isn't about choosing between people and machines. It's about combining both to build smarter, higher-performing teams.

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Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Dr David Burkus. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.