Leadership. Business
Based: East London
World renown adventurer, master storyteller & professional speaker. Presented at 1000+ conferences globally. He has a unique ability to link lessons from his expeditions to leadership & business in a compelling way
Top adventurer and international conference speaker Peter van Kets returned in late January 2012 from an EPIC unsupported race across Antarctica to the South Pole to commemorate Scott and Amundsens race 100 years ago. As part of a two man South African team they made South African history becoming the first Africans to ever race to the pole. The race was unsupported and covered a total distance of 888km’s in one of the most hostile environments known to man – Antarctica; the highest driest and coldest place on the planet. His story is one of survival, courage, perseverance, passion, loneliness, tenacity, amazing team work and the will to win. In his new talk “Cold Sweat – Impossible is Nothing” he takes his lessons learned from the expedition and relates them to the business environment. It is totally inspirational!
In 2010 Peter spent 76 days alone in a 7 meter rowing boat crossing the Atlantic. His epic 5438 Km unsupported row across the Atlantic was a first for any African. With this he was awarded the S.A. OutThere Adventurer of the Year 2011.
In 2008 Peter made his name known in the world of extreme adventure by winning the unsupported Woodvale Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race together with friend Bill Godfrey. With this he was awarded the South African Premiers Award and the Eastern Cape Sports Star of the year (2008) Award.
Peter writes an inspirational column for the Leadership Magazines – Leadership in Sport. He also writes an inspirational column for the business magazine “Blue Chip”.
He is married to Kim (also an extreme endurance athlete) and they have a daughter Hannah.
Peter is a very popular guest speaker both on the South African and international speaking circuit. His presentations are powerful and inspiring receiving rave reviews everywhere. In his latest talk, Peter relates his lessons learned / critical success factors to the business world by using his Race to the Pole, solo rowing and other expeditions as real/true life examples of achieving success. He is a passionate speaker and is totally devoted to inspiring people and changing their lives. He addresses the issues of (to name but a few) great vision, planning, team work, strategy, conflict management, working in a dynamic environment, self-discipline and perseverance.
2016 Talks
Connecting the Dots – “We conduct our personal and business ventures in a turbulent and dynamic world. To achieve and sustain real success, accomplish significant goals and fulfil our purpose we must connect and balance all the important DOTS. This will allow us to operate at maximum personal and professional efficiency.” Peter Van Kets
Grit – “Every venture in life is going to demand clear vision, dynamic strategy, precise planning and preparation, absolute honesty and integrity, uprightness of character and self discipline, but above all it will take perseverance, nyamazela, GRIT. If we put the right processes in place, we persevere and never give up on our vision, we absolutely will not fail.” Peter Van Kets
