great business speakers

BILL WALTON: A DIFFICULT JOURNEY OFF THE COURT It’s amazing how we look at celebrities and presume they’re living a charmed life.

BASKETBALL COACH MAKES LIFELONG IMPRESSION ON NBA GREAT BILL WALTON, NBA legend, considers playing for legendary UCLA Bruins basketball coach John Wooden one of the greatest gifts of his life. “Coach Wooden was an English teacher who coached basketball to earn extra money,” said Bill. “He was about the most unlikely person to be coaching us. He never talked about winning and losing, but rather about the effort to win. He rarely talked about basketball, but generally about life. He never talked about strategy, statistics or plays, but rather about people and character. His words and ideas have inspired me my whole career. Coach Wooden never tired of telling us that once you become a good person, then you have a chance of becoming a good basketball player." Wooden is perhaps one of the most remarkable examples of sports leadership ever.

THE CONFIDENCE CODE: CLOSING THE CONFIDENCE GAP Women and confidence: KATTY KAY co-wrote the book on the subject. The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know (written with Claire Shipman), created quite a stir when it was released. The science part was rather sobering: women, even in top leadership roles, are more genetically predisposed to lack confidence than men...confidence and leadership don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. The art part was more reassuring: confidence is indeed a choice. The book launched a productive discussion about women and confidence that goes on to this day.

A CAREER DEVOTED TO HELPING PEOPLE ACHIEVE PEAK PERFORMANCE Full disclosure: I have known James Mapes for many years. I was his booking agent and we worked together for seven years as he barnstormed colleges and universities all over America, doing a stage hypnosis act that audiences found not only entertaining but also hysterically funny. But the show was more than that because James was on a mission - even then. Based on a number of personal and life-changing experiences he had, James knew one thing for certain - most human beings sold themselves short; they never reached anything close to peak performance because they just didn't understand the magic and power of their own brains.

Just Released: What Made Me Who I Am by Bernie Swain

“Grateful Red” NBA great BILL WALTON plays drums with Grateful Dead spin-off Dead & Company last week

Improving confidence of women was the aim of KATTY KAY with her book, The Confidence Code

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Creating Breakthrough Performance in a Rules-Based Culture

BACK FROM THE DEAD IS INSPIRING BILL WALTON's autobiography, Back from the Dead (out March 22, 2016), chronicles the amazing life of one of the best-liked and most original figures in all of sports. He's also a great sports motivational speaker. The most-injured player in NBA history, Walton spent 9 1/2 of his 14 seasons injured - yet, he went on to be named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All-Time. The basketball legend's story of perseverance in the face of adversity is inspiring on many levels. Bill's endured 37 surgeries and played in pain most of his career. When his spine finally gave out he lived on the floor in his house for 2 1/2 years with excruciating back pain before finally admitting he needed surgery. His post-surgery recovery was amazing thanks to his grit and determination. He overcame a lifelong stuttering problem to improbably become a top broadcaster for ESPN. Bill talks about his passion for his family and his bike including the many 500+ mile charity bike events he participates in each year for causes dear to him. The book’s an inspiring look at Walton’s journey to piece life back together when things go terribly wrong.