Jeff “Bones” Bonner, The Debrief Expert™, is a former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard-trained performance strategist. He equips sports teams and executive leaders with proven debrief strategies to drive elite performance and lasting impact.
Keynotes and workshops
Speeches AND Trainings that build the habit of daily improvement
Jeff "Bones" Bonner’s keynote experiences and workshops are built around The Debrief Advantage™—a powerful system designed to help sports teams, executive leaders, and safety-critical organizations drive clarity, alignment, and continuous improvement. At the core of this system is The Daily Debrief™, the high-performance habit that transforms insights into action.
keynotes
1
The Debrief Advantage™ for Sports & Athletic Teams:
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.
2
The Debrief Advantage™ for Executive Leadership Teams: 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.
3
The Debrief Advantage™ for Safety-Critical Industries:
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
1
The Debrief Advantage™ workshop for Sports & Athletic Teams
Turning Setbacks into Strength: How Champions Debrief to Build Elite Performance Talent is the baseline—the difference between good teams and elite programs lies in how they learn, adjust, and grow together. This powerful, high-energy workshop gives coaches and athletes the tools to embed the 5-step Daily Debrief into their daily routines—transforming mistakes into momentum and pressure into peak performance. Led by Jeff “Bones” Bonner—former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard-educated performance expert—this experience brings championship discipline and mental toughness from the cockpit to the field, court, or track. Participants will learn how to use debriefing to close performance gaps, strengthen team trust, and compete with consistency and edge. Audience Outcomes: Learn the 5-step Daily Debrief model to create habits of reflection and high performance. Build a culture of accountability, grit, and ownership at every level of the program. Strengthen communication, focus, and in-game adaptability through effective debriefing. Turn everyday reps, wins, and losses into learning cycles that accelerate growth. Leave with a practical Daily Debrief Playbook for players and coaching staff. Ideal for team retreats, preseason intensives, or ongoing athlete development programs.
2
The Debrief Advantage™ workshop for Executive Leadership Teams
Equipping High-Stakes Leaders with the Tools to Drive Clarity, Alignment, and Relentless Improvement In high-pressure business environments, teams don’t fail from lack of talent—they fail from a lack of alignment, feedback, and clear execution. This interactive workshop brings Jeff “Bones” Bonner’s 5-step Daily Debrief model to life, empowering leaders and teams to build performance cultures that thrive under pressure and adapt in real time. Led by Jeff—former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard-educated author—this hands-on experience translates elite aviation debrief strategies into actionable business tools. Participants will walk away with a repeatable process to improve communication, drive accountability, and elevate results—immediately and sustainably. Audience Outcomes: Master the 5-step Daily Debrief process to drive performance improvement every day. Learn techniques to build feedback-rich, agile teams that stay aligned under pressure. Translate post-project reviews into real-time leadership habits that scale. Use debriefing to identify root causes and close performance gaps faster. Leave with a customizable Daily Debrief Playbook for immediate use with teams. Perfect for leadership off-sites, executive development sessions, or company-wide initiatives aimed at driving high performance.
3
The Debrief Advantage™ workshop for Safety-Critical Industries
Embedding a Culture of Safety and Performance Through the 5-Step Daily Debrief In high-risk, high-consequence environments, the margin for error is razor-thin. This targeted workshop equips frontline teams and safety leaders with a proven, repeatable system for preventing error, reinforcing alignment, and continuously improving operations. Led by Jeff “Bones” Bonner—former combat fighter pilot, squadron commander, airline captain, and Harvard-educated author—this immersive session shares how the world’s top-performing flight crews debrief for safety, precision, and resilience. Participants learn to apply the same principles in their own teams to reduce human error and protect lives, assets, and reputations. Audience Outcomes: Implement the 5-step Daily Debrief to reinforce procedural compliance and learning. Build psychological safety and empower open, non-punitive conversations. Use near-misses and setbacks as fuel for root cause analysis and process improvement. Strengthen team alignment and bridge the gap between training and real-world operations. Leave with a Daily Debrief Playbook customized to your safety environment. Ideal for safety stand-downs, risk management programs, and operational leadership development.
.png)
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 gains.
Drawing on combat-tested debrief strategies, Jeff equips audiences with actionable tools that fuel a culture of alignment, accountability, and continuous improvement—helping individuals and organizations be better tomorrow in business, sports, and life.
Widely known as The Debrief Expert™, Jeff is the creator of The Debrief Advantage™—a proven, high-performance system built around his five-step Daily Debrief™ model. He is also a former combat fighter pilot and squadron commander, airline captain, Harvard-trained performance strategist, and author of The Daily Debrief™. His leadership was forged in the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan and refined in the cockpit of some of the world’s most advanced aircraft. Today, as an airline captain for one of the world’s largest carriers, Jeff brings real-world insight into performance under pressure, operational safety, and elite team dynamics.
During his postgraduate studies at Harvard University, Jeff developed the five-step Daily Debrief™ model—a practical, scalable framework for building feedback-driven cultures that win. He is also the founder and executive director of The Bonner Foundation, which develops veteran leaders and supports mission-driven service across the United States.
An internationally recognized speaker, Jeff “Bones” Bonner brings high energy, real-world credibility, and actionable takeaways to every audience.
His message is clear: High performance isn’t a mystery. It’s a habit—and it starts with the debrief.
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
