An avid sports enthusiast and the son of a high school principal and teacher, Walter learned from both parents that he would have to work hard in the classroom and on the basketball court if he wanted to achieve his dream of playing basketball at a professional level. Throughout grade school and high school, Walter aimed at nothing less than being the best student-athlete he could be. He studied hard and practiced day in and day out on the basketball court in his backyard.
Under the tutelage of his father and his high school coach, Walter Bond won a coveted spot on the Illinois All-State team in his senior year. He earned a basketball scholarship to the University of Minnesota.
At his first basketball practice in Minnesota, Walter Bond learned he had to adapt to the transition from one phase in life to the next. Because his new teammates were bigger, stronger and more competitive, he had to reach inside and work even harder in order to advance his skills to the next level. His strong will, his ability to motivate his teammates (while keeping them laughing) and his can-do attitude helped him become a nationally recognized college player. By the beginning of his senior year Walter was known as the top sixth man in the NCAA.
Unfortunately, Walter Bond suffered a broken foot not once but twice during his senior year at the very time when scouts were reviewing prospective players for the NBA draft. Walter’s belief and his confidence in himself were put to the test. His dream of a professional career was in jeopardy.
However, Walter Bond refused to give up on his dreams. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Communications, he worked tirelessly at his game and landed a position on the Wichita Falls Texans, a team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), the developmental league for the NBA. He made a remarkable comeback and finished the year stronger, quicker and more determined than ever.
His ability to overcome what could have been career-ending injuries and his desire to succeed caught the attention of Richie Adabato, coach of the Dallas Mavericks. After Walter made the all-rookie CBA team, his reputation as a talented and exceptionally hard-working guard spread like wildfire throughout the NBA. He was invited to a number of free agent camps and Adabato was so impressed that he signed Walter to play with the Mavericks. That fall, Walter Bond became the first rookie free agent ever to start opening night. Walter, the young man who never, ever gave up on his dreams, went on to have an eight-year professional basketball career, playing along side such NBA greats as Karl Malone and John Stockton as a guard for the Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons.
Toward the end of his basketball career, Walter Bond developed the ability to apply on-the-court success and teamwork to the business world when he and his wife became owners of a national franchise. Walter changed his profession but never changed his winning attitude.
Today, Walter Bond is a highly sought-after inspirational speaker, business expert, motivator, life coach, humorist, son, husband, and father of three beautiful children. Walter incorporates the life lessons he has learned about teamwork, leadership and the winning edge into professional philosophies that inform each tailor-made keynote. Every year, Walter influences, inspires and empowers personally and professionally thousands listeners and readers around the globe.
SPEECH TOPICS
NO ONE CAN STOP YOU - BUT YOU!
Great for: All Audiences -Walter’s Signature Program
Because your organization is a reflection of its people, your success depends on their success. “No One Can Stop You, But You” connects each individual with powerful insights on how to build confidence, become a peak performer, master their organizational roles, and eliminate excuses for mediocrity. This extraordinarily popular program points the finger where it should be, at ourselves. When Walter's audience leaves, they will understand what 'NO ONE CAN STOP YOU BUT YOU' means on an individual and organizational levels.
LEADERSHIP: Winners, Losers and Champions — There is a Difference
Great for: Executive and Management Leaders
What makes an effective leader? How can they benefit your organization? Walter will show you how to create leaders who bring out the best in all of your employees, and the best in your organization. By doing so, you’ll be able to create an organization where every employee—no matter what their role is—can use leadership skills to develop successful relationships among their co-workers, vendors and clients.
TEAMWORK: The Best Team Always Wins!
Great for: Corporate Departments, Business Associations, Non-Profit Organizations.
If you want to know what makes the most successful teams tick, and then how to put them to work for your organization, this is the seminar for you. Walter shares his professional experiences from more than 20 years with organized teams in the NCAA, NBA - and outside of sports as well! After this seminar, you’ll be ready to build and run teams that will significantly improve employee experiences, productivity, morale, retention—and ultimately your bottom line.
ATTITUDE: The Winning Edge
Great for: All Audiences
We’ve all heard the expression that “attitude is everything.” But are we really able - or ready - to accept its challenges? Walter shows just how important attitude can be to your organization. He gives unflinching advice on how to eliminate the “stinking thinking” that prevents people from perceiving and using every situation to their advantage, and from working to their full potential. His audience learns how a simple - but fundamental - attitude adjustment can reach far into improving their personal and professional relationships and perspectives. A winning attitude is the first key to initiating success.
