Reconnecting leadership to people and performance.

KEYNOTE TALKS FOR LEADERS, COMPANIES AND CONFERENCES

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Leadership conversations generally focus on strategy, structure, processes, and results. But performance is not created there first. It is created in how leaders show up every day: in behaviours, decisions, and the way people experience work.

The connection between leadership, people, and performance is often assumed, but rarely examined. When that connection is strong, organisations perform in ways that are both sustainable and human. When it breaks, the effects show up in execution, performance, everyday behaviour, and results.

These keynotes challenge how leaders think about performance, and show how leadership behaviour actually shapes the way people work, decide, and deliver. They bring clarity to how the connection between leadership, people, and performance is practical, grounded, and relevant to today’s workplace.

Watch Serkan's TEDx talk: Reclaiming Psychological Safety

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Keynote topics

How leaders shape the connection between people and performance.

Spark the Engagement

A cutting-edge exploration of how neuroscience, brain function, and leadership intersect to shape engagement at work. This keynote translates research from organisational psychology into practical leadership behaviours, showing how leaders influence attention, motivation, and emotional energy, and why engagement is fundamentally a biological and behavioural response to leadership, not a programme.

AI in HR

This keynote explores how artificial intelligence is being applied across HR and talent acquisition today, moving beyond the hype to what is actually working in practice and what is not. Drawing on real-world use cases, it examines where AI creates value in people decisions, where it introduces new risks, and what organisations are learning as they integrate it into core HR and people processes, and leadership decisions.

Reclaiming Psychological Safety

This keynote builds on my TEDx talk and explores psychological safety as a behavioural outcome of leadership, not a cultural initiative or an HR policy. It examines how everyday leadership actions — how people are responded to, how decisions are made, and how pressure is handled — shape whether or not people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and contribute fully. It explores why performance shifts dramatically depending on whether or not people feel safe to speak, challenge, and engage fully.

Future of Work and AI

Artificial intelligence is transforming work, but it’s not the only force at play. This keynote explores how technology, economics, and demographics are reshaping organisations, and how leaders can guide performance through this shift. We focus on how to make AI work for your people and your company. We discuss game-changing opportunities and how to avoid common pitfalls. We explore a strategic approach for developing the skills your workforce needs for the future through strategic upskilling, reskilling, and cross-skilling.

Leadership Skills & Effectiveness

Core leadership capability is often what separates effective leaders from those who struggle under pressure. This session looks at how decision-making, organizational intelligence, and communication show up in real leadership situations, and how they shape clarity, influence, and performance in teams. It focuses on practical behaviours that strengthen leadership impact in complex and demanding environments.

Managing Time and Intensity

Drawing from my experience balancing leadership roles, writing, PhD research, keynote speaking, coaching, and family life, I focus on performance as both managing time and intensity. The real challenge is how both interact—competing priorities, constant context switching, and cognitive load. I work on how leaders make decisions, set priorities, and sustain execution when time and energy together determine performance.

Past Talks

TEDx Sarajevo

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Keynote speaker - May 16, 2026

New HR Summit 2024

Istanbul, Turkey

Speaker, Fireside Chat - September 25, 2024

PowerToHR - 4

Pristina, Kosovo

Keynote Speaker - May 7, 2026

Humanizing AI in Workplace

Athens, Greece

Keynote Speaker - May 13, 2024

Operational Excellence Summit

Hamburg, Germany

Keynote Speaker - June 13, 2024

Partners Summit

Dublin, Ireland

Keynote Speaker - October 23, 2024

New HR Summit 2025

Istanbul, Turkey

Panel Moderator - September 24, 2025

PowerToHR - 3

Pristina, Kosovo

Keynote Speaker - April 3, 2025

Talent Leaders Summit

Dublin, Ireland

Keynote Speaker - May 15, 2024

Talent Leaders Workshop

Dublin, Ireland

Panelist - November 28, 2024

“I am honored for meeting Serkan Deveci, whose exceptional skills as a speaker are only surpassed by his deep knowledge, humility, and ability to inspire those around them. Serkan is not just an expert on organic brain science but he possesses a rare ability to communicate complex ideas in ways that are accessible, engaging, and inspiring to all audiences. Serkan was invited by Greek People Management Association (GPMA) in the annual forum as keynote speaker. Everyone felt his ability to balance remarkable charisma with an innate humility. His words carry weight not just because of his expertise, but because he delivered them with sincerity and an authentic care for others.” 

Maria Kolokytha, BoD Member VP at GPMA

“I have seen Serkan deliver his TEDx talk live at TEDxSarajevo , as well as his keynote at PowerToHR Global Summit – and his performances were superb on both occasions. His talks are clear, convincing and inspiring. Serkan combines scientific evidence, scholarly research with his own extensive experience – which leaves the audience feeling confident and empowered. I am looking forward to Serkan’s upcoming book and seeing more of his impressive thought leadership in the future!”

Larisa (Murtic) Halilovic, Advisory Board Member at TEDxSarajevo and Executive Coach

“I had the pleasure of working with Serkan Deveci, as the event producer for the Opex Hamburg 2024 event, hosted by Keynotion in Germany. As a keynote speaker, Serkan delivered a compelling session on leadership and employee engagement, blending neuroscientific insights with practical case studies applicable across all sectors. His ability to break down complex concepts and provide actionable strategies made a lasting impact on the audience. I highly recommend Serkan for any speaking engagement that values thought leadership, engagement, and real-world application.” 

Aderonke Adeyeye, Event Producer at Keynotion