Bernd Hufnagl is a Viennese neurobiologist and management consultant. Above all, however, he is one of the most exciting brain researchers of our time.

The bestselling author and keynote speaker’s most revolutionary thesis: take more time to daydream! He has simple but effective tips on how we can switch off in order to get back on track: Put the smartphone away, look out of the window and always plan micro-breaks. Anything but thinking purposefully. He even considers short breaks to be more important than a two-week holiday.

“Daydreams make us more efficient”

Hufnagl has been focussing on the connection between health and the world of work for 20 years and draws on research and findings from his work as a management consultant in his talks. In his captivating talks, he presents fascinating neuroscientific and evolutionary-biological findings on how “brain-friendly” work and leadership works – exciting and entertaining at the same time.

“We don’t need a two-week holiday”

The mental health expert’s lecture topics revolve around New Work, how to escape constant digital stress through brain-friendly working, and he scrutinises current developments in working life. For example, where humanity remains with more and more AI in the world of work.

Bernd Hufnagl lecture topics:

• The stressed brain: stress, burnout and mental health
• Digital Permanence: Working brain-friendly in multitasking mode
• The empathetic brain: How to find more respect and empathy
• In search of purpose in work: Brain-friendly framework conditions for a healthy workplace
• Whining culture and problem orientation
• Success culture and obsession with key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Resilience and the acceptance of the unchangeable
• The BioLogic of Leadership: The Biology and Neuroscience of Leadership
• Courage and willingness to change
• Hybrid working environments: working in the New Work age
• Emotional intelligence in times of AI and ChatGPT
• Brain Traps! Brain-friendly work instead of digital exhaustion

“Work processes can be optimised, people can’t.”

Bernd Hufnagl believes it is time to reorganise our way of thinking. In this context, he has been focussing on self-efficacy for many years. The feeling of being able to influence and control one’s own life, which is massively hindered in the modern working world: by work that is imposed on us without us understanding its purpose and by the tremendous speed that digitalisation with its condensed tasks and rapid communication processes imposes on us.

Bernd Hufnagl studied biology and medicine and worked in brain research and university teaching for over a decade before founding his own consultancy Benefit GmbH in Vienna in 2002. Together with his team, he supports well-known international companies on their way to New Work.

Hufnagl’s scientific work was honoured by the award of the prestigious Theodor Körner Prize for the Promotion of Science and Art by the Austrian Federal President.