David Burkus
Building High-Performing Teams in the Age of Intelligent Collaboration
About
Dr. David Burkus is one of the world’s leading business thinkers on leadership, teamwork, and the future of work. A best-selling author and award-winning researcher, David helps leaders navigate the complex challenges and extraordinary opportunities artificial intelligence brings to modern leadership.
His books on business and leadership have been translated into dozens of languages and are used by leaders around the globe. His insights have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, USAToday, Fast Company, The Financial Times, the BBC, NPR, and CBS Mornings.
A former business school professor, David now advises leaders at Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations including PepsiCo, Fidelity, Adobe, and NASA. His keynotes blend cutting-edge research with compelling storytelling, offering practical strategies for integrating ai and leadership without losing trust, empathy, or direction.
In a world where algorithms are accelerating everything, David reminds us that leadership still drives performance—and those who embrace both AI and authentic leadership will lead the future of work.
In a world being reshaped by machines, David’s message is clear: The future of work still runs on people. And the leaders who understand how to combine AI with authentic human leadership will build the best teams ever.
Notable Clients
- • Fortune 500 Companies
- • Global Leadership Conferences
Awards & Recognition
- • Thinkers50 Ranked Top Business Thought Leader
- • Featured in Harvard Business Review, NYT, CNN
Published Books
Keynote Topics
Leading Smarter: From Artificial Intelligence to Authentic Leadership
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?
Smarter Teams: Building High-Performing Teams in the Age of Intelligent Collaboration
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?
Best Team Ever: 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.
Areas of Expertise
Speaking Videos
Request Speaker Availability
Tell us about your event and we'll help you find the perfect speaker