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Keynote SpeakerSusan David

Author, Psychologist, #1 Wall Street Journal Best Seller: Emotional Agility

Susan David, author of the #1 WSJ bestselling book Emotional Agility, TED Speaker, and award-winning Harvard Psychologist is one of the world’s most influential management thinkers. With more than 10 million views, her viral talk is one of TED’s ten most popular. Susan has a PhD in psychology (clinical) and... Read more

Watch Susan David in action

Popular Talks by Susan David

  • Emotional agility
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Women in Leadership
  • Wellbeing and Resilience
  • High Performance
  • Change
  • Engagement
  • Culture

Biography

Susan David, author of the #1 WSJ bestselling book Emotional Agility, TED Speaker, and award-winning Harvard Psychologist is one of the world’s most influential management thinkers. With more than 10 million views, her viral talk is one of TED’s ten most popular.

Susan has a PhD in psychology (clinical) and a post-doctorate in emotions research from Yale. She is on faculty at Harvard Medical School and is co-founder and co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate. She has been awarded many prizes and scholarships for her academic work.

Named on the Thinkers50 global list of the top management thinkers, Susan has a passion for keynote speaking and management consulting, and is a renowned executive coach, who applies her knowledge of emotions, human motivation and change to individuals and organizations. She frequently works in the areas of personal leadership, culture, engagement, and people strategy.

Susan David has been an advisor to numerous leaders faced with difficult situations, including mergers and acquisitions, leadership transitions, and strategic revisions. She routinely consults at the most senior levels of Fortune 500 companies, and with other global organizations from industries as diverse as financial services, information technology, healthcare, utilities, pharmaceuticals, and mining. Her world-wide client list includes Ernst and Young Global, the World Economic Forum, the United Nations Development Program, BHP Billiton, JP Morgan Chase, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nestlé, among many other multinational firms.

She edited the definitive Oxford Handbook of Happiness with a foreword by His Majesty the King of Bhutan – the first country to measure Gross National Happiness (Oxford University Press, 2013). She also edited Beyond Goals: Effective Strategies for Coaching and Mentoring (Gower, 2013). She is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review and her research has been featured in TIME, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, and Inc.com, among other major publications. Susan’s article Emotional Agility stayed on Harvard Business Review’s “Most Read” list for months. In a short time, nearly a quarter of a million people had downloaded it, and it was named by Harvard Business Review as an “Idea that Shaped Management” and was the winner of the Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award. Its popularity was the impetus for her book by the same name, published by Penguin (Avery) which was named a #1 Wall Street Journal Best seller and has been translated into multiple languages. Susan’s TED Talk on the topic went viral with over 1 million views in its first week of release. She is a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and guest on national radio and television.

Susan David is a global citizen who loves to travel. She backpacked across the world for nearly two years and has lived in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and now, Boston, USA. In December 2016 she co-led the first all-female expedition to Antarctica – it’s aim being to increase the influence and impact of women in science.

Emotional agility is a tool for everyone. Susan inspires audiences to think, feel, and act differently with deeply impactful and positive outcomes for themselves, their colleagues, and their organisations.

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What clients say about Susan David

"We had such an amazing experience! Thank you. I had a good feeling about her involvement from the beginning, and the outcome was better than I could have hoped for. She really reached our participants ‘in their hearts’." Mike Vierow, McKinsey & Company
"The wisdom of Susan David's innovative insights is only made more impressive by its practicality. Her deep understanding of psychology is matched with clear, real-world steps to more effective leadership." Helen Clark, 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand, UNDP Administrator (2009-2017)
"Susan was fantastic. She showed great empathy for the audience and guided our leaders on how to become more agile in face of our daily challenges. Her talk was the perfect blend of inspiring and practical, and the audience loved it! " Guilherme Soárez, CEO of HSM
"An outstanding success..!" Jeremy Darroch, CEO of SKY
"Susan reminded us of how critical it is to recognize our feelings and to be emotionally agile. Susan connected with the audience in a powerful way with her ideas and personal stories. It meaningful to us to know that so many others around the world will have an opportunity to be informed and to be inspired." Pat Mitchell, TEDWomen

How to book Susan David as a keynote speaker

How do I book Susan David for a keynote speech?

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

What are Susan David's speaking fees?

Susan David'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 Susan tailored to your event.

What topics does Susan David speak about?

Susan David speaks on Authors, Behaviour, Health, Inspirational Women, Leadership & Motivation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Susan to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Susan David available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Susan David for events worldwide, subject to Susan'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 Susan David 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 Susan David 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 Susan David?

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 Susan can accommodate.

Can Susan David tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Susan David 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 Susan can offer.

What languages does Susan David present in?

Susan David 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 Susan David a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Susan David's areas of expertise include Authors, Behaviour, Health, Inspirational Women, Leadership & Motivation. To get a clear sense of Susan'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 Susan David speak at?

Susan David can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Authors, Behaviour, Health, Inspirational Women, Leadership & Motivation is relevant. Details of Susan'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 Susan David 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 Susan David is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Susan David?

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