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.

Show More

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

Discover more

Books Recommended by Matt Risinger
BOOKS

Books Recommended by Matt Risinger

Book recommendations by Matt Risinger to boost business, sharpen leadership, and build smarter—essential reads for builders and entrepreneurs.

BeFreed team

Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders
BOOKS

Garry Tan's Books for Visionary Builders

Discover Y Combinator CEO's picks for mastering startups, strategy, and meaningful living.

BeFreed team

Business, Leadership & Self-Improvement Focus

Business, Leadership & Self-Improvement Focus

LEARNING PLAN

Business, Leadership & Self-Improvement Focus

This plan bridge the gap between entrepreneurial theory and practical leadership excellence. It is ideal for aspiring founders and managers looking to synchronize personal growth with scalable business success.

3 h 28 m4 Sections
Wise, Confident Billionaire Leader

Wise, Confident Billionaire Leader

LEARNING PLAN

Wise, Confident Billionaire Leader

This curriculum is designed for ambitious entrepreneurs and executives aiming to bridge the gap between high performance and legendary leadership. It integrates ancient philosophical wisdom with modern wealth-building strategies to create leaders who are as grounded as they are successful.

2 h 57 m4 Sections
Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

LEARNING PLAN

Robert Greene: The Power & Human Nature Pod

This plan distills Robert Greene's deep research into actionable insights for anyone seeking to navigate office politics or social hierarchies. It is essential for aspiring leaders and strategists who want to master the art of influence and long-term planning.

2 h 39 m4 Sections
Understanding business

Understanding business

LEARNING PLAN

Understanding business

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between fundamental theory and advanced execution for aspiring leaders. It is ideal for professionals and entrepreneurs looking to master the full lifecycle of a business, from initial foundations to global scaling.

2 h 1 m4 Sections
Bio, Memoir, Innovation & Tech

Bio, Memoir, Innovation & Tech

LEARNING PLAN

Bio, Memoir, Innovation & Tech

This plan bridges the gap between personal narrative and technical disruption, ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders. It offers a unique blend of human-centric biography and strategic innovation frameworks to foster a visionary mindset.

3 h 27 m4 Sections
Lead, Build, Optimize: Business & Wellness

Lead, Build, Optimize: Business & Wellness

LEARNING PLAN

Lead, Build, Optimize: Business & Wellness

This curriculum is designed for entrepreneurs and managers who need to balance aggressive business scaling with personal sustainability. It bridges the gap between operational excellence and high-performance wellness to ensure long-term professional success.

3 h 3 m4 Sections

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

FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now