As the debrief expert, Jeff “Bones” Bonner—decorated combat fighter pilot & squadron commander, keynote speaker, airline captain, & author—empowers leaders and teams to achieve peak performance through the high-impact habit of daily debriefing.
Keynotes and workshops
Speeches AND Trainings that build the habit of daily improvement
Jeff "Bones" Bonner delivers impactful keynote experiences and workshops that empower leaders and teams to achieve peak performance using his GREAT Debrief Model.
keynotes
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The Debrief Advantage™: Debrief Like a Fighter Pilot, Perform Like a Champion
Even the most talented athletes and teams struggle to sustain peak performance without a culture that supports consistent growth. Too often, coaching insights and lessons get lost in the noise of daily grind, leaving potential unrealized and performance gains untapped. In this high-impact keynote, Jeff “Bones” Bonner — former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard-educated author — brings the discipline of elite fighter squadrons to the world of sports. Through gripping stories from high-stakes aviation and the battlefield, Jeff introduces his proven five-step Daily Debrief™ model — a practical tool for unlocking consistent performance, accelerating growth, and building team culture from the inside out. Designed specifically for athletic programs, this keynote empowers coaches, athletes, and support staff to close performance gaps, communicate with clarity, and build championship-level teams that thrive under pressure. Participants will learn how to: Apply a step-by-step debrief process for daily feedback, focus, and improvement Use clear techniques to identify and close performance gaps with confidence Build a team culture of accountability, communication, and mental resilience Turn failures and setbacks into fuel for growth and momentum Embed habits that drive high-performance results — in competition and beyond Perfect For: College and pro athletic programs, coaches, teams, performance staff, and leadership committed to culture-building, mindset mastery, and high-level execution. If you're planning an event for athletes or coaches who want to compete like champions and think like elite operators — this keynote delivers the clarity, tools, and inspiration to raise their game.
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The Debrief Advantage™: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit
Step into the flight deck with Jeff “Bones” Bonner and discover what separates good leaders from great ones when the stakes are sky-high. In this high-energy keynote, Jeff draws on his experience as a fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard graduate to reveal how the principles of cockpit debriefing elevate leadership to new heights. Through riveting stories and practical frameworks straight from high-pressure aviation environments, Jeff demonstrates how the debrief process is the essential advantage for leaders who want to drive results, boost accountability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Audience Takeaways Two core debrief strategies that high-stakes leaders use for rapid growth and course corrections. How to cultivate a feedback-rich culture that drives consistent improvement and innovation. Three frameworks for decision-making, clear communication, and resilient leadership—even under pressure. Two practical methods to enhance team trust, alignment, and performance through effective debriefing. Inspiration and action steps for transforming lessons learned into winning results every day. This keynote is an essential experience for leaders and organizations striving for high performance, greater influence, and a lasting competitive edge.
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The Debrief Advantage™: Safe to Soar
In safety-critical industries, where every decision carries weight and the margin for error is razor-thin, most teams rely on compliance and checklists alone. But when systems fail and stress is high, even well-intentioned teams can break down — unless safety is more than a rulebook. It must be a culture. Enter the world of elite aviation, where lives depend on precision, clarity, and relentless learning. In this compelling keynote, Jeff “Bones” Bonner — former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard-educated author — reveals how the aviation world’s top teams achieve unmatched safety records and performance by leveraging the Daily Debrief™. Through captivating stories and a proven five-step model, Jeff equips leaders with tools to reduce human error, improve psychological safety, and embed continuous learning into daily operations. This is more than a safety talk — it’s a high-impact strategy for building teams that perform under pressure and learn from every mission. Attendees will leave with tools to: Apply a proven, five-step debrief process to foster transparency and team ownership Create psychological safety through open communication across all levels Turn close calls and setbacks into drivers of continuous improvement Align safety practices with performance goals to elevate results and engagement Build a durable high-performance safety culture that outlasts systems and checklists Perfect For: Leaders and teams in aviation, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, transportation, and other high-consequence environments where safety and performance are mission-critical. If you’re planning an event for organizations navigating risk, regulation, or rapid change — this keynote will elevate how your teams think, act, and lead around safety.
WORKSHOPS
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The Daily Debrief for
Onboarding
This practical, interactive workshop introduces new hires to the GREAT Daily Debrief model, jumpstarting their integration into a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, and high performance. Participants will gain hands-on experience using the debrief framework to build positive habits from day one, accelerating both personal growth and team cohesion. Workshop Objectives Understand the five steps of the GREAT Daily Debrief model (Gratitude, Review Goals, Evaluate, Anticipate, Time for Lessons Learned) Cultivate a mindset of reflection, learning, and proactive problem-solving Practice daily debriefing to reinforce key values and expectations Build confidence in sharing insights, feedback, and new ideas openly Accelerate connection to team mission, goals, and organizational culture Identify how daily debriefing supports onboarding milestones and long-term success This workshop is perfect for new hires and early-career professionals who want to build strong habits, connect with their team, and start their journey in a high-performance culture from day one.
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The Daily Debrief for Mid-Level Leaders
This dynamic workshop equips supervisors and managers with the skills and frameworks to lead high-performing teams using the GREAT Daily Debrief model. Mid-level leaders will learn how to embed reflective practices into their routines, turning everyday experiences into opportunities for continuous improvement, accountability, and team engagement. Workshop Objectives Master the application of the GREAT model to facilitate effective, impactful team debriefs Foster psychological safety and trust by modeling transparent, nonjudgmental feedback Develop strategies for coaching team members through successes, setbacks, and growth opportunities Enhance team alignment, morale, and adaptability through structured debrief conversations Drive ownership and accountability for results at the team level Identify and address obstacles to implementing daily debriefs in real-world, high-tempo environments This workshop is ideal for supervisors, managers, and team leads who are ready to elevate engagement, accountability, and results by making daily debriefing a core team practice.
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The Daily Debrief for
Executives
This high-level workshop empowers senior leaders and executives to champion a culture of excellence using the GREAT Daily Debrief model. Participants will discover how strategic debriefing fosters organizational agility, aligns cross-functional teams, and embeds learning at every level. The session focuses on leveraging debriefs as a leadership tool for driving engagement, innovation, and sustainable high performance. Workshop Objectives Understand how executive-level debriefing supports strategic decision-making and organizational alignment Model a culture of transparency, learning, and accountability from the top down Integrate the GREAT model into executive routines, leadership meetings, and business reviews Leverage debrief insights to identify trends, surface risks, and accelerate organizational improvement Empower direct reports and senior teams to cascade the debrief habit throughout the organization Align debrief practices with broader business objectives, values, and performance metrics This workshop is designed for senior leaders and executives seeking to drive organizational excellence, align strategy with culture, and cascade high-impact debrief practices across the enterprise.
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THE BONNER FOUNDATION
The Bonner Foundation is dedicated to developing the next generation of veteran leaders who embody the principle of service before self.
By supporting veterans at colleges and universities across the United States, the foundation aims to equip these student leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
The foundation believes that veteran leadership is crucial to addressing the most pressing challenges facing America today. With the support of The Bonner Foundation, these veterans are empowered to lead effectively and create a better future for all.
A portion of all proceeds from The Daily Debrief support The Bonner Foundation.
About Jeff "Bones" Bonner
Jeff “Bones” Bonner delivers captivating keynote experiences that empower leaders, teams, and athletes to achieve lasting, high-impact performance improvements. By translating proven, combat-tested debrief strategies into actionable tools, Jeff helps organizations and individuals “be better tomorrow” and drive consistent excellence in business, sports, and life.
Known as The Debrief Expert, Jeff is a former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, airline captain, Harvard graduate, and author of “The Daily Debrief.” His extensive experience leading teams as a Marine Corps and Air Force fighter pilot, combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and squadron commander has shaped his unique and compelling message. As an airline captain at one of the world’s largest airlines, Jeff brings a relentless focus on performance, safety, and continuous improvement.
During his postgraduate studies at Harvard University, he developed the five-step daily debrief model—a practical framework now embraced by audiences and organizations seeking winning results. Jeff is also the founder and executive director of The Bonner Foundation, where he actively empowers the development of veteran leaders across the United States.
An internationally recognized speaker, Jeff “Bones” Bonner inspires and equips audiences to transform lessons from high-stakes environments into real-world success, ensuring that every event delivers inspiration and actionable takeaways.
3 Steps to Lead and Win with the daily debrief
Step 1: The Discovery Call
Let's connect to discuss how we can partner to develop a custom program for your organization.
Step 2: The Keynote
A tailored keynote speech that will empower your audience to use aviation's habit of daily improvement to lead and win.
Step 3: The Workshop
Develop high-performing leaders and teams by building a culture of daily improvement.
CONNECT WITH JEFF
