David Burkus

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.

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.”

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.

AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. And for most leaders, that’s as exciting as it is overwhelming. The landscape is changing rapidly, and just keeping pace with the tools can feel like a full-time job. But beyond the hype and headlines, one question matters most: How will AI and teamwork evolve together in the new world of work?

Because even as the technology evolves, the fundamentals of high-performing teams haven’t changed. People still need clarity, connection, and trust. What’s changed is the context—and the opportunity.

Too many organizations treat AI like a software rollout—another platform, another dashboard, another wave of training. But that narrow approach misses the real opportunity. The best teams aren’t just using AI—they’re working with it as a teammate. They’re rethinking how they work, re-establishing collaboration, and adapting how they lead. AI won’t replace your team—but teams that don’t learn how to partner with AI will be outmaneuvered by those that do. In this fast-paced and insightful keynote, bestselling author and renowned teamwork expert Dr. David Burkus reveals how the most effective teams are adapting in response to AI—not by abandoning what makes them great, but by refining it.

You’ll explore how AI can free your people to focus on innovation, strategy, and collaboration. You’ll see how new tools are reshaping team communication—clarifying messages, reducing misunderstandings, and enhancing transparency. You’ll discover how to cultivate trust in both the tools and the teams using them. And you’ll gain insight into what adaptive leadership looks like in an AI-enabled workplace—how to lead through uncertainty, foster resilience, and support continuous learning.

The future of work isn’t about choosing between people or machines—it’s about leveraging both to empower high-performing teams.

Are you ready to make your best team even smarter?

You didn’t sign up to lead during a technological revolution—but here you are. As artificial intelligence accelerates change across every industry, the expectations on leaders are rising just as fast. You’re expected to be a visionary and a translator, a stabilizer and a strategist—all while your team looks to you for clarity, confidence, and calm.

You don’t need to become an AI expert. But you do need to become the kind of leader people trust to navigate what’s next.

Too many organizations treat AI as a technical problem to solve—rolling out new tools, running through trainings, checking boxes. But the real challenge isn’t adoption. It’s adaptation. The leaders who will stand out in this new era aren’t the ones who master every platform. They’re the ones who stay human while helping their teams evolve.

Because the future of leadership may leverage artificial intelligence, but it stays authentically human.

In this provocative and practical keynote, bestselling author and leadership expert Dr. David Burkus shows how the rise of AI is reshaping what great leadership looks like—and how today’s best leaders are responding.

You’ll learn how to refocus your team’s time and talent on the human work that matters most—creativity, connection, and complex decision-making. You’ll discover how to lead smarter communication in AI-augmented environments, building shared understanding while reducing noise and friction. You’ll explore how to earn trust in the systems your team is being asked to use—without losing the trust they’ve placed in you. And you’ll walk away with a blueprint for leading authentically in a world that’s getting more automated by the day.

In a world of intelligent machines, human leadership isn’t optional—it’s irreplaceable. The leaders who thrive won’t be the most technical. They’ll be the most trusted.

Are you ready to lead smarter?

As the challenges organizations 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 organization 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.