Duena Blomstrom: Emotional Intelligence
Duena Blomstrom is a keynote speaker and workplace culture expert specializing in psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and human-centered technology strategies.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Co-founder of People Not Tech
- Creator of Emotional Banking and Human Debt concepts
- Global keynote speaker on psychological safety and emotional intelligence
- Advisor to Fortune 500 executives and organizations
- Formats: Keynote Speaker and Workplace Culture Strategist
- Audiences: Corporate leaders, HR professionals, technology teams, innovation leaders, and organizations focused on culture transformation and employee performance.
- Outcomes:
- Strategies to build psychological safety and high-performing teams
- Practical applications of emotional intelligence in the workplace
- Insights on balancing technology innovation with human-centered leadership
- Travels from: London, UK
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Human and Tech Debt: Untangling the Connection for High Performance
In this keynote, Duena introduces the concept of “Human Debt”—the long-term cost that companies accrue when they fail to focus on the psychological well-being and development of their employees.
She explores how organizations often focus solely on “Tech Debt,” neglecting the human side of the equation. Through compelling data, storytelling, and actionable insights, Duena demonstrates how balancing both Human and Tech Debt can lead to more innovative, agile, and resilient organizations.
Key themes: Psychological Safety, Digital Transformation, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, Agile Culture
Target Audience: CEOs, CTOs, HR Leaders, Tech & Innovation Executives
AI or EI? – Prepare for the 5th Industrial Revolution
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries, Duena asks a critical question: What role will emotional intelligence (EI) play in this technological revolution?
This talk explores the synergy between AI and EI, advocating for a future where human emotions and psychological safety are just as important as technological advancements. Duena highlights the importance of leaders fostering emotional intelligence and building human-centric teams as we enter the 5th Industrial Revolution.
Key themes: Artificial Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, Future of Work, Leadership in Tech
Target Audience: Tech Leaders, Business Professionals, Students, Innovation Executives, HR Managers, Entrepreneurs
Tales of a NeuroSpicy Leader: Neurodiversity as a Catalyst for Passion and Innovation
In this highly personal and thought-provoking keynote, Duena builds on her podcast “NeuroSpicyAtWork” and shares her journey as a Neurodivergent leader in the business and tech world.
This talk focuses on how neurodiversity can foster innovation and creativity within organizations. Duena offers practical advice for companies looking to embrace neurodiverse talent and create psychologically safe environments where every team member can thrive.
Key themes: Neurodiversity, Innovation, Inclusive Leadership, Culture, Transformation
Target Audience: CxO, Leaders, HR Professionals, Diversity and Inclusion Professionals, Team Leaders, Organizational Psychologists
Talent Short Bio
Duena Blomstrom is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, and workplace culture strategist known for her expertise in psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and human-centered technology. She is the co-founder of PeopleNotTech, a global platform focused on improving team performance, well-being, and collaboration in modern organizations.
Blomstrom is the creator of influential concepts such as Emotional Banking and Human Debt, which redefine how organizations understand human capital and employee engagement in a digital-first world. Her work emphasizes that sustainable success comes from balancing technological advancement with human connection, trust, and emotional intelligence.
As an author, she has written Emotional Banking, People Before Tech: The Importance of Psychological Safety and Teamwork in the Digital Age, and Tech-Led Culture, establishing herself as a thought leader in people strategy and workplace culture. Her insights have guided executives and organizations around the world in building high-performing, psychologically safe teams.
Read Full Bio
Duena Blomstrom is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, author, and co-founder of PeopleNotTech, a global media and tech scale-up dedicated to improving psychological safety, emotional intelligence (EQ), and peak performance in modern workplaces.
She is the mastermind behind concepts such as “Emotional Banking” and “Human Debt,” reshaping the way organizations perceive human capital in the digital age. As the author of “Emotional Banking,” “People Before Tech: The Importance of Psychological Safety and Teamwork in the Digital Age,” and “Tech-Led Culture,” Duena has become a thought leader in the fields of people strategy, psychological safety, and human-centric technology.
Her influence extends far beyond speaking engagements, with over 250,000 followers and 122,000 subscribers, making her one of the most followed technology influencers today.
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Summary of User Reviews for Duena's Keynote on Psychological Safety
Strengths:
- Duena's keynote was highly praised for its transformative impact on leadership teams.
- Her skill in simplifying complex topics into actionable steps was particularly noted as remarkable.
Weaknesses:
- No significant weaknesses were mentioned in the review.
Overview:
Duena's keynote on psychological safety has been described as a "game-changer" for leadership teams, with exceptional praise for her ability to distill complex concepts into practical, actionable insights. This presentation has received endorsement from professionals like Sarah Thompson, Director of HR at HSBC, highlighting its value in enhancing team dynamics and leadership effectiveness.
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