There are more than 73 million people working in the U.S. today, and a growing number of them are exhausted, disengaged, or quietly struggling to perform at their best. Gallup continues to report that most employees are not engaged at work, while burnout, turnover, and inconsistent performance costorganizations billions each year. In a fast paced, high pressure environment, people are being asked to do more, move faster, and adapt constantly, often without understanding what is actually driving performance beneath the surface.
In this engaging and interactive keynote, Summer Jelinek blends research, lived experience, and the power of play to reveal why performance fluctuates even among high performers and why effort alone isn’t the answer. As a LEGO® Serious Play certified speaker, Summer uses hands-on building to break down complex concepts, unlock new insights, and help participants see their work and performance in a new way. The result is a practical, memorable experience that delivers the performance upgrade most people were never taught, but can’t afford to ignore.
By the end of this interactive and engaging keynote, participants will:
- Understand how stress, pressure, and workplace experiences influence focus, energy, and performance over time.
- Identify why effort alone does not guarantee consistent results and how small environmental and behavioral shifts can significantly improve performance.
- Apply practical, play-based tools to reframe challenges, gain clarity, and unlock more sustainable productivity at work.