Dr. Bryan Deptula

Bryan Deptula, Ph.D., is a leadership development expert, author, executive coach, and corporate trainer focused on advancing leadership skills and organizational performance. Deptula began his career in New Castle, Delaware, overcoming childhood poverty to become a hotelier, Vistage speaker, and former university associate professor and management department chair. He holds a doctorate in leadership from Florida Atlantic University and has published scholarly articles in journals such as Leadership Quarterly, Human Resource Development Quarterly, and Journal of Accountability and Ethics. As chair of a management department, Deptula led MBA and undergraduate program redesigns that enhanced student experiences and improved academic offerings.

Deptula is the founder and CEO of BKD Leaders, a company specializing in strategic leadership development and training. He delivers leadership development programs, keynotes, workshops, and retreats for a diverse range of clients, including Univision, Microsoft, Vistage Groups, and HR executives at SHRM. His work as an executive coach includes facilitating strategic planning and designing leader development programs that drive individual and team performance.

Deptula challenges the notion that leadership is an innate trait, advocating instead that leadership is a skill that can be taught and developed. His TEDx Talk, "Leaders Are Born to Be Made," provides practical guidance on cultivating leadership in organizations. Deptula's six-step Leader MUSCLE Model, developed through proprietary research and real-world application, is utilized by employees worldwide across various industries.

Deptula is the author of "Your Leaders Suck," which presents strategies for executives and managers to enhance their leadership effectiveness, and "Leaders Are Born To Be Made: Proven Low-risk High Reward Ways To Make Executives And Managers Better Leaders," which expands on the concepts introduced in his TEDx Talk. He has also co-authored 20 research-based journal articles, book chapters, and conference presentations. Deptula is recognized for translating academic research into actionable strategies in the field of leadership development.