David Burkus author photo

David Burkus

David Burkus is a business and leadership expert, bestselling author, and keynote speaker whose work focuses on leadership, teamwork, and organizational innovation. Author of five acclaimed books—such as Friend of a Friend and Leading from Anywhere—his research-driven ideas have won awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and influenced a global audience of leaders and organizations.

Biography & Author's Journey

David Burkus is a renowned organizational psychologist and bestselling author whose influence spans the worlds of business leadership, teamwork, and innovation. Raised in the United States, Burkus displayed an early fascination with how organizations functioned and how individuals collaborated within them. After completing his undergraduate studies, he went on to earn a doctorate in organizational psychology, a discipline that would underpin his eventual rise as an authoritative thinker on modern work culture.

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Quotes

quote
It’s about knowing who is a “friend of a friend.” It’s about getting a full picture of the network you already have access to, and learning how to improve it
-Friend of a Friend
quote
What if you’re not the tall, extroverted, dapper, energetic, eloquent, highly educated professional who’s giving you the advice? Would it still work for you? Would you even want to try it?
-Friend of a Friend
quote
Creative ideas make people uncomfortable. It turns out that, at least subconsciously, we can have a hard time recognizing ideas as both new and useful at the same time
-The Myths of Creativity
quote
Show me your calendar and I’ll tell you your priorities. Let’s see if the rubber hits the road
-Elevate Podcast: David Burkus on Building High-Performing Teams
quote
We can’t just demand that they put their commitment to us at the center of their lives anymore. We need to figure out a way to integrate it better
-Elevate Podcast: David Burkus on Building High-Performing Teams
quote
Most leaders still don’t know how to talk about purpose because they end up talking about what is meaningful to them. Especially founders, you have your vision. They’re like, 'We’re going to do this and it’s going to disrupt the industry or make this kind of impact.' That’s great but when you get large, most people can’t see that. We as humans are wired to see our impact based on who we can see impacted by our work. Don’t tell me how we’re disrupting an industry or how we’re changing something. Show me who’s changed. Tell me those stories and I’ll be much more motivated to act than the, 'We exist to,' mission statement
-Elevate Podcast: David Burkus on Building High-Performing Teams
quote
Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Maybe accounting and legal for lunch
-What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Culture
quote
If we do a great job, it empowers this team to do their work better. That's our motivational guidance. That's how we serve the world
-Elevate Podcast: David Burkus on Building High-Performing Teams
quote
People are going to want flexibility. This is going to continue to be the number one hallmark
-Elevate Podcast: David Burkus on Building High-Performing Teams

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Community Voices

"David Burkus is a best-selling author, a sought after speaker, and associate professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University"

Psychology Today

"Dr. David Burkus understands that to build the best team, you must first shape the habits and practices that bring out the best in each member"

Bookshop.org

"David Burkus has delivered keynotes to the leaders of Fortune 500 companies and the future leaders of the United States Naval Academy"

Psychology Today

"David Burkus is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of five books on leadership and teamwork"

davidburkus.com

"David Burkus's books have won multiple awards and have been translated into dozens of languages"

Goodreads

"David Burkus challenges established management principles and reveals the counterintuitive practices that really drive organizational performance"

Pan Macmillan

"David Burkus is recognized as one of the world's leading business thinkers, helping leaders and teams do their best work"

davidburkus.com

"David Burkus reveals the mystery behind why some teams click and others crash in Best Team Ever, drawing on compelling case studies and the latest research"

Bookshop.org

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