Workshops & Keynotes
Teams don’t raise to the level of their potential. They fall to the level of their conversations.
I help teams say what everyone’s thinking but no one’s saying—without blame, theatrics, or forced vulnerability. The goal isn’t to open up. It’s to surface the issues that actually affect collaboration
My work draws on research and frameworks from my three books: Stretch for Change, Remote Not Distant, and Forward Talk.
When teams avoid difficult conversations, default to blame, or let groupthink replace critical thinking, decision-making and creativity suffer. I focus on changing the conversational patterns that shape how teams work, not just the symptoms.
Whether your team feels stuck, you’re navigating complexity and ambiguity, or rapid change is straining performance, I provide clarity, practical tools, and visible results.
Through workshops, team offsite, keynotes, and culture design consulting, I help leaders and teams surface friction earlier, improve decision-making, and strengthen ownership—so teams can move forward instead of circling the same issues.
Gustavo’s keynotes focus on real challenges teams face, using clear examples and practical ideas. The topics below reflect the themes he’s most often invited to work on.
Featured Topics
How to Increase Belonging in a Hybrid Workplace
Belonging is more than just being part of a team — it’s the foundation for trust, collaboration, and lasting results. Yet, in today’s hybrid workplace, many employees feel disconnected, and leaders struggle to rebuild what was lost during the pandemic.
The need for belonging has evolved. It’s no longer just about appreciation or emotional connection. Belonging comes from creating an environment where people feel welcomed, valued, trusted, and cared for — and now you can acquire the framework to make this happen.
What your team will learn:
- Why belonging drives team performance and collaboration
- How to move beyond surface-level appreciation to foster true connection
- The four pillars of belonging: Welcomed, Valued, Trusted, and Caring – and how to implement them
- Actionable tools to repair disconnection and create a shared identity
How to Build a Culture of Ownership
Most organizations struggle with accountability because they try to impose standards or pressure people to achieve great results. Instead, they should motivate them to take initiative and excel.
To truly engage employees, organizations need to focus on building ownership, not just accountability. Ownership taps into people’s intrinsic motivation, inspiring them to go above and beyond. Ownership fosters emotional connection, pride in one’s work, and a sense of belonging.
What your team will learn:
- Why companies fail to increase accountability
- The differences between ownership and accountability – and why it matters
- The three key elements of ownership: efficacy, self-identity, and belonging
- Practical tools and exercises to help your team build a culture of ownership
- Five principles to build a culture of ownership – and what leaders can do to promote it
Facilitating Courageous Conversations: Increase Collaboration and Innovation
Unresolved conflict doesn’t just disappear — it accumulates like debt, creating tension, eroding trust, and stifling creativity. Fostering a culture of courageous conversations is essential for building psychological safety, improving collaboration, and driving innovation.
This session equips teams with the tools to surface hidden frustrations, tackle unspoken issues, and turn conflicts into opportunities for growth. This talk or workshop can be tailored to focus on leaders, team members, or both – it offers practical strategies to create a culture where everyone speaks up and takes ownership of solutions.
What your team will learn:
- How to recognize and address “conflict debt” before it undermines trust and results
- Practical tools like the Stinky Fish Canvas to surface and solve hidden issues
- Techniques for fostering psychological safety as a shared team responsibility
- Tactics to ensure feedback is heard, acted on, and doesn’t disappear into a “black hole”
- How to get you started depending where your team
- How to model a culture of openness and intellectual humility to inspire team trust (for leaders)
- How to promote psychological safety without waiting for the leader (for team members)
Previous Clients Include
Book Gustavo as a keynote speaker or facilitator for your event. Please complete the form below.
