Share
Pierre du Plessis Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerPierre du Plessis

Strategist, Speaker & Author on Decision-Making, Leadership and Navigating Uncertainty

Pierre du Plessis is a renowned speaker, strategist and author who has dedicated two decades to helping businesses and individuals navigate strategy, leadership and chaos. As the founder of Be Brave, a Strategy Design Lab, Pierre partners with businesses, from multinationals to scale-ups, to co-create strategies. Pierre has delivered keynotes... Read more

Watch Pierre du Plessis in action

Popular Talks by Pierre du Plessis

  • Only the Brave: A framework to help you find your way in life and work

    Only the Brave™ is a practical and deeply inspiring session that helps leaders and teams answer one of the most important questions in work and life: what do you want to do with your one wild and precious life? In a world filled with noise, pressure, comparison, rapid change and…
  • In Praise of Shadows: A talk about the importance of mystery and uncertainty

    Discover the hidden treasures that lie within the shadows of uncertainty, chaos and mystery. This thought-provoking keynote challenges our over-reliance on data and explores how true innovation and creativity can emerge from uncertainty. Drawing inspiration from Japanese aesthetics and Oscar Wilde to Victor Turner’s work on liminal spaces, Pierre celebrates…
  • Chaos is a Gift: How great upheaval can be your biggest opportunity

    Chaos is a near certainty in almost every aspect of our lives and businesses. From changing weather patterns to Artificial Intelligence, navigating today’s world requires an unprecedented ability to handle ambiguity and complexity. Pierre argues that it is precisely during periods of upheaval that true change becomes possible. He explores…
  • AI & I: What it means to be human in the age of AI

    Throughout history, humans have defined themselves through their tools. Today, as machines increasingly think, learn and create, our newest technologies force us to grapple with fundamental questions about personhood, creativity and collaboration. Drawing on African concepts such as ubuntu, ancient myths and science fiction’s explorations of machine consciousness, Pierre examines…
  • Teams to Tribes: Building trust, belonging and collaboration

    Teams to Tribes explores the dynamics of human connection, belonging and collaboration. Recognising our innate tendency to organise into tribes, Pierre examines the importance of intentionally creating healthy teams in an age increasingly characterised by loneliness. Leaders learn how to cultivate trust, create a sense of meaningful contribution and give…
  • Monsters, Heroes & Monarchs: Archetypal Leadership and the Journey of Transformation

    Leadership is more than hustling and hitting goals – it is a journey through archetypal stages. From child to hero, monarch to elder, each stage offers different challenges and opportunities for growth. Through stories, frameworks and practical tools, Pierre explores how timeless archetypes shape behaviour and leadership styles, helping leaders…
  • The Art of Paradox: Leading with Clarity in a World of Contradictions

    Leaders face constant paradoxes: freedom and control, risk and safety, order and chaos. The Art of Paradox explores why the most effective leaders don’t eliminate these tensions but learn how to hold and navigate them. From regulation versus innovation to AI versus the human touch, Pierre provides a framework for…
  • You’re Weird. I Like It: Creating a differentiating strategy

    This talk exposes the culture of endless copying and sameness in business, technology and society. Pierre argues that the most powerful way to stand out is to embrace what makes you genuinely different. Through storytelling and humour, he shares practical ways to uncover authentic differentiation, encourages bravery in the face…
  • Money is ‘Just’ a Story: Understanding the narratives driving our relationship with money

    Humans create narratives about money from an early age, shaping our perceptions of abundance and scarcity and influencing our financial decisions. Pierre explores the cultural, psychological and social forces behind these money stories and their impact on both personal and business decisions. Audiences learn how to better understand financial behaviour,…
  • You Don’t Need More Time: In an AI Agentic World, Your Agency Matters More Than Ever

    Algorithms are getting faster and agents are getting smarter, but only humans can shoulder the responsibility of choice. This keynote is a call to leaders, teams and founders who find themselves stuck in cycles of delay. Through storytelling and practical tools, Pierre explores how to reclaim decision-making power, move from…

Biography

Pierre du Plessis is a renowned speaker, strategist and author who has dedicated two decades to helping businesses and individuals navigate strategy, leadership and chaos. As the founder of Be Brave, a Strategy Design Lab, Pierre partners with businesses, from multinationals to scale-ups, to co-create strategies.

Pierre has delivered keynotes for clients including BMW, Yum!, FNB, Allan Gray, EO, KFC, HATCH and Tencent worldwide. His topic, strategy, is presented through a blend of trends, frameworks, research, ancient wisdom and pop culture. His talks inspire leaders to make brave decisions, embrace uncertainty and transform challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. He has shared his insights on four TEDx stages.

Pierre is the author of four books, including Train Naked: A Guide to a Meaningful Life and Work That Matters, which received the Desmond Tutu Gerrit Brand Prize for Literature. His signature keynote, In Praise of Shadows, challenges conventional approaches to chaos and equips audiences with insights to navigate complexity and build products and businesses that move our world forward.

Whether speaking to executives, founders or teams, Pierre combines thought-provoking ideas, relatable storytelling, actionable frameworks, humour and tools. He holds a Master’s degree, cum laude, in Systematic Theology, with research focused on loneliness and belonging, giving him a human-centric perspective.

His work brings together insights into human behaviour with strategic frameworks, helping leaders and teams think differently, make decisions and create meaningful change. He draws on academic thinking, lived experience and his work across creative and business environments to make complex ideas practical and relevant for audiences today.

Ready to invite Pierre du Plessis to your event?

Tell us about your event, one of our consultants will reach out within 24 hours.

What clients say about Pierre du Plessis

“This talk was amazing and exactly what you need in a world with VUCA. It encourages embracing the uncertainty and chaos of the world -because that’s where the good things happen. I can highly recommend getting Pierre in to talk to your team. He’s relatable, engaging, funny, and gets the message across using storytelling.” Skynamo
“Pierre kept everyone fully engaged with his insightful and thought-provoking talk, ‘Teams to Tribes.’ It really made us rethink how we approach our relationships, both at work and at home. His genuine and relatable style with the way he broke down the process, made everything click so naturally. So glad we had him speak at our end of year function!” Onomo Hotel Group
“Pierre has a depth of insight that is refreshing. He simplifies business approaches - that can so often be overly complex and detached - into clear, collective solutions that begin with individuals knowing they can make courageous decisions.” South Arican Institute for Chartered Accountants
“A completely new angle on leadership, with practical applications we can immediately implement in our teams.” Sarel van Zyl, CEO, FNB Namibia
“Pierre delivered a unique perspective that altered our team’s understanding of all the different money stories, proving to be a game-changer in how we will approach our clients from now on.” Louw Barnardt, Co-Founder & MD OCFO
“In a time where speakers all seem to sound exactly the same. Pierre manages to sound completely different. He’s the Ernest Hemingway to their Dan Brown, the Pink Floyd to their Nickelback.” Richard Mulholland, MSNGLNK
“Pierre’s talk was truly engaging – he was easy to listen to and his advice was highly practical. The audience was captivated, and 178 attendees were in awe. Thank you for a soul-touching deliverance of a well-appreciated topic, especially in challenging times.” Brigott Bruintjies Allan Gray

How to book Pierre du Plessis as a keynote speaker

How do I book Pierre du Plessis for a keynote speech?

You can book Pierre du Plessis through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Pierre's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Pierre du Plessis's speaking fees?

Pierre du Plessis's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Pierre tailored to your event.

What topics does Pierre du Plessis speak about?

Pierre du Plessis speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Behaviour, Business & Management, Change. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Pierre to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Pierre du Plessis available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Pierre du Plessis for events worldwide, subject to Pierre's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Pierre du Plessis deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Pierre du Plessis is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Pierre du Plessis?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Pierre can accommodate.

Can Pierre du Plessis tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Pierre du Plessis on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Pierre can offer.

What languages does Pierre du Plessis present in?

Pierre du Plessis delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Pierre du Plessis a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Pierre du Plessis's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Behaviour, Business & Management, Change. To get a clear sense of Pierre's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Pierre du Plessis speak at?

Pierre du Plessis can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Authors, Behaviour, Business & Management, Change is relevant. Details of Pierre's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Pierre du Plessis offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Pierre du Plessis is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Pierre du Plessis?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Pierre du Plessis, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Pierre's current availability for your dates.