Leadership determines how people and performance come together.

Many performance problems are leadership problems in disguise. They aren’t visible in your strategy or systems first. They show up in how people behave, decide, and lead under pressure. I work on one core question: What actually reconnects leadership to people and performance?

When that connection is strong, people thrive and organisations perform. When it breaks down, both suffer in ways leaders don’t immediately see.

Watch Serkan’s TEDx Talk: Reclaiming Psychological Safety

Available soon on YouTube and TEDx channels. Get notified when it’s available.

Psychological safety has become one of the most talked-about ideas in leadership. Yet much of the conversation has drifted away from what it was originally intended to mean.

In this TEDx talk, I examine why organisations often misunderstand psychological safety, how well-intentioned leadership practices can unintentionally weaken accountability and performance, and why creating an environment where people speak honestly requires far more than simply encouraging everyone to have a voice.

The talk brings together organisational psychology, neuroscience, and leadership practice to explore a question that affects every organisation: what allows people to speak up when it matters most?

Keynote Speaking

Reconnecting leadership to people and performance. Keynote talks for leaders, companies, and conferences.

Find out more

Executive Coaching

For senior executives and aspiring leaders. Focused on strengthening leadership clarity and execution under pressure.

Find out more

COMING OCTOBER 2026: Get notified to be the first to know when the book is released.

The Great Leadership Disconnect

Why HR and Business drift apart – and how to bring them back together

This is a story playing out in many companies around the world. Talk to business leaders and you’ll hear, “HR doesn’t understand us.”  Talk to HR leaders and you’ll hear, “Business doesn’t listen to us.”  This disconnect has become an accepted part of organisations. But what do we do about…

“The Great Leadership Disconnect offers a bold and inspiring call to reimagine how business and HR lead together. Serkan’s voice is uniquely compelling – rooted in real commercial experience, strengthened by deep people insight, and enriched by a global lens. Few leaders can speak to this divide with such clarity and conviction. This book not only diagnoses the disconnect; it shows how organisations can rise above it and unlock their full human potential.”

Berna Oztinaz, CHRO of Genel Energy, EAPM President (European Association of People Management), and WFPMA Board Member (World Federation of People Management Associations)

“With sharp insights and unflinching honesty, Serkan’s book, The Great Leadership Disconnect, cuts through outdated assumptions about HR and exposes the systemic flaws behind broken people strategies.”

Stefano Pichiecchio - Global Talent Leader, Microsoft

“Serkan’s performances were superb at both TEDx and PowerToHR. His talks are clear, convincing and inspiring. He combines scholarly research with his own extensive experience – which leaves the audience feeling confident and empowered.”

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

“Serkan Deveci’s exceptional skills as a speaker are only surpassed by his deep knowledge, humility, and ability to inspire those around him. He has a rare ability to communicate complex ideas in ways that are accessible, engaging, and inspiring to all audiences. 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

“Serkan brings a global, deeply practical perspective that challenges leaders to rethink how they show up, make decisions, and share accountability. The stories are real, the insights are grounded, and the guidance is immediately usable. A powerful contribution for any organisation serious about unlocking the full potential of its people and its leadership.”

Steve O’Reilly - Vice-President, People & Capability, UK & Ireland, Mastercard

“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.”

Aderonke Adeyeye - Event Producer at Keynotion

News & Events

Posted on 29th June, 2026

Joining the Method in Madness podcast to Talk About Storytelling in the Digital Age

Stories have always shaped leadership. The difference today is that technology has changed who tells them, how they spread, and how quickly they influence people. I’m looking forward to joining Method in Madness to explore storytelling in the digital age and why it has become one of leadership’s most important…

Read more

Posted on 30th September, 2025

Speaking at TEDx: Reclaiming Psychological Safety

I’m looking forward to joining TEDx Sarajevo to explore a question that has become increasingly important in today’s workplaces: have we misunderstood psychological safety? The conversation around psychological safety often focuses on leaders creating comfortable workplaces. I’ll explore why psychological safety is not about avoiding discomfort. Leaders should create the…

Read more

Posted on 17th September, 2025

Returning to PowerToHR 4 with The Great Leadership Disconnect

I’m delighted to return to PowerToHR, this time to share ideas from my upcoming book, The Great Leadership Disconnect: How HR Stops Taking the Blame and Starts Co-Leading. Ask business leaders and many will say, “HR doesn’t understand the business.” Ask HR leaders and you’ll often hear, “Business doesn’t listen.”…

Read more

Posted on 4th March, 2025

Joining RiseUp podcast by Risely

Leadership is rarely tested when everything is going well. It is tested when priorities compete, pressure increases, and particularly, when people look to leaders for direction. I’m looking forward to joining Ashish on RiseUp podcast by Risely radio to explore leadership effectiveness, decision-making, and the behaviours that shape both individual…

Read more