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David Allison | Keynote Speaker

@davidallisoninc

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I study *What Matters Most* to people, including you. It’s the only way to engage and inspire. #values

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This is a story that starts when Tristan and I first met on Zoom in 2022. I was in a hotel room somewhere on the road. He was at home in California. We connected because I saw how he wore his values on his sleeve in everything that he did. I ended up writing a chapter about him in my new book because there are some good lessons we can all learn about how to live a values-driven life from this talented man.

When it came time to think about what I would wear for the author photo in my new book – and as I start the tour to speak about it – it was only natural to reach out and get him to create something for me to wear.

I sent him some old suits.

He added some other fabrics from his collection of vintage textiles.

(Imagine the sound effect of a sewing machine here)

And before I knew it, he made this incredible jacket for me: a combination of his creativity, his craft, tradition, my history, and my future, all of it wrapped up in a big comfy layer of shared human values.

It's worth knowing that Tristan has had his work in an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He's been given awards and written about extensively in the fashion industry. He's resisted the temptation to sell out and become something other than who he really truly is.

The mandatory unboxing photo. I really was excited to get this. It feels like as much of a milestone as handing my manuscript in to the publisher.

When I look back at this journey: writing this book, publishing this book, and getting this book out there into the hands of the people who need it, this jacket will be part of that timeline. It's part of my past. It's part of my future. It's pretty cool.

The first time I tried it on, it fit like a glove.

Straight into the photo shoot for the new book.

And earlier this week, September 2026, four years after that first Zoom call with Tristan, I'm wearing the product of his values on stage.

If you've made it this far and you're not already following Tristan, please do. He's a talented man and an amazing human and I'm very glad to call him my friend.

@tristandetwiler_ @stan_trade by @davidallisoninc

I've been waiting for a long time to tell you about this. Wiley is publishing my new book in January. It's all about how you can find and use your values, and help others do the same.

We've learned a lot of things from talking to a million people about what matters most to them, and this is my chance to show you how it can help you build the values-driven life you want.

There are a lot of books out there that try to convince you to be somebody different. This one is about how to be more of who you already are.

If you'd consider pre-ordering a copy, I'd be very grateful. My publisher (and all the people who keep the bestseller lists) pay particular attention to the number of copies sold in advance so it would be a really big help. Thank you!

Link is in my bio,
or just go to myvaluesmap.com by @davidallisoninc

Once a year I speak to a class at UBC, and today was the day. I saw this protest in the student building, “the nest” as it’s known.

I don’t know exactly what they’re protesting, but my point is the same regardless.

Standing up in public for what you value is hard. People will criticize you, and you could be spending that time studying or working. These students are doing it anyway, and I find that inspiring.

Our values drive everything we do, but most of the time we don’t think about it. These students have thought about it, and now they’re acting on it where everyone can see them.

Bravo. Keep it peaceful. But bravo.

Everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. by @davidallisoninc

I'm David Allison. We've talked to a million people in 152 languages to find out what actually drives human behavior, including yours. My new book THE VALUES MAP: Discover What Drives You and How to Move Others is available for pre-order now, and I would be very grateful if you did. LINK IS IN MY BIO. Everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. by @davidallisoninc

Thank you to the Canadian Mentoring Summit for inviting me to speak about building the mentor and mentee community across Canada.
When you are matching mentors and mentees, everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. In other words, when you know what each person values.

Pre-order my new book, THE VALUES MAP, and get a free 30-page report on your own values at myvaluesmap.com. by @davidallisoninc

I'm David Allison. We've talked to a million people in 152 languages to find out what actually drives human behavior, including yours. My new book THE VALUES MAP: Discover What Drives You and How to Move Others is available for pre-order now, and I would be very grateful if you did. LINK IS IN MY BIO. Everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. by @davidallisoninc

Just finished reading a terrific novel called MAY WE FEED THE KING (Rebecca Perry) which was so engrossing and powerful that it left me thinking of the tremendous impact of a well–told tale. And the responsibility of anyone with an audience to pull people along to a better place.

The opportunity to — the privilege of — changing how people perceive themselves and their place in the world shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s a kind of magic, really, to say a few things, to write a few lines, and alter the direction of people’s thoughts and deeds. And given all that, shouldn’t we be vigilant about who we listen to, what spells we allow?

How many of the world’s problems are simply the result of malevolent storytellers?

All that aside, go read this book. It’s a beauty. A novel written by a poet, who can conjure moods and emotions effortlessly. by @davidallisoninc

I'm David Allison. We've talked to a million people in 152 languages to find out what actually drives human behavior, including yours. My new book THE VALUES MAP: Discover What Drives You and How to Move Others is available for pre-order now, and I would be very grateful if you did. LINK IS IN MY BIO. Everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. by @davidallisoninc

I'm David Allison. We've talked to a million people in 152 languages to find out what actually drives human behavior, including yours. My new book THE VALUES MAP: Discover What Drives You and How to Move Others is available for pre-order now, and I would be very grateful if you did. LINK IS IN MY BIO. Everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. by @davidallisoninc

Every year he needs a Halloween costume for work. And every year he leaves it to the last minute. 🙄

Having spent part of this week in the misty-morning and terrifically-horsey Virginia countryside 🐎 where I could feel the ghost of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman 🎃 I got inspired and managed to pull this together.

Yes, those are compression socks that he's supposed to wear on airplanes. Plus, one of the vests I like to wear on stage, a scarf tied in a bow, some fancy cufflinks and presto – he's good to go.

Happy Halloween everybody! And remember, you are allowed to eat all the candy. 🍭🍬🍫 by @davidallisoninc

I'm David Allison. We've talked to a million people in 152 languages to find out what actually drives human behavior, including yours. My new book THE VALUES MAP: Discover What Drives You and How to Move Others is available for pre-order now, and I would be very grateful if you did. LINK IS IN MY BIO. Everything gets easier when you know What Matters Most. by @davidallisoninc