Lance Burdett

Crisis negotiator, resilience expert and former police leader helping organisations thrive under pressure

(NZ Based)

Overview

Lance Burdett is one of Australasia's leading experts in crisis negotiation, resilience and human behaviour. Drawing on more than two decades in policing, including 13 years as a specialist crisis negotiator, Lance has worked at the highest levels of emergency response, security and tactical operations. Today, he helps leaders, teams and organisations better manage pressure, navigate difficult conversations and build resilience in an increasingly complex world.

Who is Lance Burdett?

Lance Burdett spent 22 years serving in the New Zealand Police, developing an exceptional reputation as a negotiator, investigator and emergency response leader. During his career, he became one of the most highly qualified crisis negotiators in the country, training in New Zealand, Australia and with the FBI in the United States.

Working alongside elite tactical teams, emergency services, corrections personnel and military units, Lance led and negotiated numerous high-risk incidents where communication, decision-making and emotional control were critical to successful outcomes. His expertise earned him recognition as one of the most skilled negotiators within New Zealand Police.

Beyond negotiation, Lance held senior roles across investigations, emergency management and protective security. He oversaw the protection of prime ministers, international dignitaries and protected witnesses, while also serving as Principal Security Officer for New Zealand athletes at major international events, including the Delhi Commonwealth Games and London Olympic Games.

A passionate advocate for mental wellbeing and resilience, Lance later developed coaching and resilience programmes that were adopted nationally within New Zealand Police. His work helping individuals manage pressure and adversity has since expanded into corporate leadership, education and community settings.

Today, Lance is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, facilitator and media commentator whose practical insights help audiences perform at their best under pressure.

Career Highlights

• 22-year career with New Zealand Police
• 13 years as a specialist crisis negotiator
• Trained with New Zealand Police, Australian Police and the FBI
• Worked alongside elite tactical and emergency response teams
• Led numerous high-risk negotiations and critical incidents
• Former protection officer for senior government officials and international dignitaries
• Principal Security Officer for New Zealand athletes at the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games
• Developed resilience programmes adopted nationally by New Zealand Police
• Bestselling author and respected media commentator
• International keynote speaker and leadership coach

Key Speaking Themes

• Resilience and mental fitness
• Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
• Difficult conversations and communication skills
• Leadership during uncertainty and change
• Human behaviour and emotional intelligence
• Managing stress, anxiety and adversity
• High-performance teamwork
• Building psychological resilience

What Your Audience Will Gain

Lance provides practical, evidence-based strategies for managing pressure, improving communication and building resilience. Audiences learn how to remain calm during challenging situations, make better decisions under stress and develop the mindset required to thrive in uncertain environments. His presentations combine compelling real-world stories with actionable tools that can be applied immediately.

Ideal For

• Leadership and executive conferences
• Mental health and wellbeing programmes
• Emergency services and government events
• Corporate resilience and performance conferences
• Education and healthcare organisations
• Team development and communication workshops

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Lance Burdett speak about?
Lance speaks about resilience, crisis negotiation, leadership, communication, mental wellbeing, decision-making and managing pressure.

Who is Lance Burdett?
Lance Burdett is a former police crisis negotiator, resilience expert, bestselling author and keynote speaker.

What is Lance Burdett best known for?
He is best known for his work as a specialist crisis negotiator and his expertise in helping people manage stress, adversity and difficult situations.

What experience does Lance Burdett bring to organisations?
His experience includes crisis negotiations, tactical operations, executive protection, emergency management and resilience training.

Why is Lance Burdett a sought-after keynote speaker?
His combination of real-world frontline experience, behavioural science expertise and practical resilience strategies provides immediate value for audiences.

What leadership lessons does Lance Burdett share?
He focuses on communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, decision-making and maintaining performance under pressure.

Who benefits most from Lance Burdett's presentations?
Leaders, executives, frontline teams, educators, healthcare professionals and organisations navigating change gain significant value from his insights.

Is Lance Burdett available for keynote presentations and workshops?
Yes. Lance is available for keynote speaking engagements, resilience workshops, leadership programmes and conference presentations throughout Australasia and internationally.