Similar Experts
Back
Home
Leadership
Business Skills
DEI
Wellbeing
Insights
Technology
Browse by Topic
Browse by Type
BlogLoginGet in Touch
As captain of the England and GB women’s hockey teams for 13 years and an international player for 17, Kate was an integral part of the GB Women’s hockey squad, unanimously voted in her by her teammates for her ability to lead by example, nurture talent and bring the best out of people.
In this talk, Kate shares her personal experiences of leadership, team building, goal setting and high performance anyone can take and put into action in their own teams.
As a female leader who reached the pinnacle of her career Kate speaks passionately about equality of opportunity for women and the need for flexibility in what a leader should look and sound like. Her own early attempts at leadership she readily admits were underwhelming, until she realised that she needed to find her own style, which was not necessarily a kind that she had seen before. In her words ‘You need to see it to be it’. In other words, the more diversity we see in leadership, the more women will have the confidence to think it is something that they can do even if they don’t fit a stereotypical mould.
Away from the field she also reflects on the importance of inclusive diversity. Having married her team mate Helen in 2013, Kate describes hockey as her ‘safe space’, a family which accepted her for who she was and whose only expectation was that she gave her best every day. More widely she speaks about the make-up of the hockey squads she played in – a collection of diverse individuals and personalities, who sometimes clashed, but who all brought different things to the table and were respected for their individual strengths and personalities.
This speech explores the inspiring journeys of athletes preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It focuses on their rigorous training, personal sacrifices, and the mental and physical resilience required to compete at the highest level, celebrating their dedication and the spirit of the Olympic Games.
This session explores the importance of embracing diversity and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. It will discuss the significance of inclusivity, acceptance, and understanding in creating a more harmonious society.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and learn how to be allies and advocates for equality. By attending this session, individuals can contribute to a more inclusive and accepting environment.
Kate Richardson-Walsh, former captain of the GB and England women's hockey teams for 13 years, led her teams with solid leadership, culminating in a gold medal win at the Rio Olympic Games. Following a disappointing performance at the 2014 World Cup, where the team finished 11th, a focused effort was made to rebuild the team's culture. This involved fostering positive behaviour, a shared sense of purpose, and a distributed leadership model to maintain these values. The victory in Rio was not only significant for the team, but notable because Kate, along with wife Helen Richardson-Walsh, became part of the first same-sex married couple to win an Olympic medal together. Kate is the most capped female hockey player in GB history, with her career spanning over 17 years and including more than 370 appearances for her country. Her achievements include a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, a gold medal at Rio 2016, her fourth Olympic Games, and numerous accolades such as being shortlisted for the FIH World Player of the Year Award, winning GB Hockey’s Athlete of the Year, the Hockey Writers’ Player of the Year twice, and receiving an OBE for services to hockey in 2017. She was also a nominee for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2016. After retiring from international hockey, Kate has focused on coaching, promoting grassroots development, and leveraging her extensive experience in leadership, teamwork, and performance. She is an ambassador for the Women’s Sport Trust and Access Sport, supporting disability hockey, and is involved with the British and European Olympic Athlete’s Commissions. Kate's story is one of resilience, leadership, and the power of a unified team ethos. From it, she draws lessons on building a winning mindset, fostering team unity, and achieving goals.
Why you should book Kate Richardson-Walsh for a PepTalk
Booking Kate Richardson-Walsh offers your team or business the unique opportunity to learn from a proven leader in high-pressure environments. Gain insights on building a winning culture, fostering resilience, and enhancing teamwork from an Olympic gold medalist and experienced coach. Elevate your team's performance and unity with her inspirational story.
