Alex Budak

If the word “leader” didn’t exist, what word would you use instead? For UC Berkeley faculty member and best-selling author Alex Budak, the future of leadership means each of us becoming a changemaker.

We can all lead change from wherever we are, and this actionable and inspiring keynote shares the research-backed steps to help individuals, teams, and organizations lead with courage, purpose, and impact. We'll cover how to question the status quo (in ways that actually work); how to lead change through influence (not just authority); and how to inspire others with your vision (no matter your title).

Key Takeaways:

• The 5 influence supepowers and how to put each one into practice right away.
• How to lead with vision (even if you aren’t a CEO or senior leader).
• The secrets of leading change from where you are.

While there are countless strategies for change management, they are rendered totally ineffective if you and your team aren't prepared to face change itself. In this keynote, together we will develop your "Change Fitness" - helping you build the core strength to adapt, thrive, and lead in dynamic environments. Just as you'd hit the gym to strengthen your body, we'll exercise your mental agility and flexibility. Drawing from cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience, and organizational behavior, you'll discover practical techniques to build resilience, cultivate grounded presence, and excel at seeing opportunity in change. You'll gain powerful tools to boost your change fitness, enhancing your and your team's ability to navigate and thrive in today's evolving business landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Developing Adaptability: Learn practical strategies to enhance your flexibility in the face of change, allowing you to pivot quickly and effectively in dynamic situations.

• Building Grounded Presence: Discover techniques to maintain composure and clarity amidst uncertainty, enabling more thoughtful and strategic responses to change.

• Activating "Possibility Intelligence": Unlock your ability to see opportunities within challenges, transforming potential threats into avenues for growth and innovation.

This engaging session delves into lessons from inspiring social entrepreneurs who have made a lasting impact on society. Through real-world examples - including from Alex’s own work co-founding StartSomeGood - we’ll explore how these social innovators leveraged entrepreneurial methods to create scalable, sustainable change. Attendees will gain insights into how these strategies can be applied to all types of change efforts, even in traditional corporate environments.

Focusing on the power of innovation and adaptability, the session will equip participants to think like changemakers—turning big ideas into tangible, lasting solutions. This session provides tools and insights for leaders and teams to create meaningful change, regardless of industry or role.

Key Takeaways:

Participants will leave the session with insights, inspiration and practical tools to lead change that is:

• Sustainable: Leading sustainable change requires embedding long-term thinking into every decision, ensuring that solutions can endure and evolve over time.

• Scalable: To scale change effectively, leaders must focus on building adaptable frameworks that can grow while maintaining impact, regardless of size or geography.

• Systemic: Driving systemic change involves addressing root causes and leveraging partnerships, creating shifts that permeate entire systems rather than focusing on isolated solutions.

When we think of courage, we often picture heroic acts or fearless leaps. But true courage isn't just about grand gestures—it's about the small, everyday choices we make. In this keynote, we’ll reframe courage as a habit that anyone can cultivate, in all aspects of our lives. You'll uncover the six distinct types of courage—from moral to creative to social—and learn how to leverage them to lead a more meaningful and impactful life. Drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, and inspiring but relatable real-world stories, we’ll explore how courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to face it. Attendees will leave iwth actionable strategies to strengthen their courage muscles and apply them at work, life, and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognizing the Spectrum of Courage: Discover the six different types of courage and how each plays a role in living a fulfilling life.

• Cultivating Everyday Courage: Learn practical tools to embrace courageous actions in daily decisions, from speaking up in tough situations to embracing vulnerability.

• Overcoming Fear and Leading with Resilience: Gain strategies to face fear with confidence, reframe imposter syndrome, and foster a mindset of growth and resilience.