Mark Tewksbury

In 2008, Mark co-founded Great Traits, a coaching company that distilled the fundamentals of high-performance sport into universal traits of success.  With a focus on leadership, people became aware of how they led themselves, how they led or interacted with others, and what kind of legacy they left as they did it.  Based on practical actions, people coached by Great Traits programs grew enormously in their ability to be great leaders.

Of the 24 traits, Mark shares why “embracing contradictions”is one of the most important leadership traits.  Great leaders need to be able to adapt – to the varying situations they encounter, and to most effectively meet the wide ranging and differing needs of the people they lead.  To be a successful leader require enormous self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, openness to change…you get the idea.

In this inspiring keynote, Mark draws upon his own training, leadership experience and Global observations to share insights and practical tools that inspire leaders to embrace contradictions that lead to High Performace!

Inspiring stories and lessons about LGBTQ history from someone who, in his own way, is part of that history. Mark Tewksbury was one of the 1^st openly gay Olympic champions in the world when he came out in 1998.  His brave stand, to share his story at a time when no sport star had, started an important conversation that continues to this day in sport and beyond.

How do you create the environment for people to feel included?  What does it mean to be a strong ally?  How can I be a better ally to someone?  Mark has tacked these questions in numerous leadership positions.

In November of 2020, Mark was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada.  It is the highest rank within the Order and, astonishingly, there can only be 165 living Companions at any one time.  That 14-year old kid who was ran out of school for being gay would never have imagined, 40 years later, his country honouring him for it.

Mark Tewksbury has long been recognized as a catalyst for change. He won Gold at the Olympics because he changed his approach to training and hired a synchronized swimming coach and broke through; in the 90’s at the height of his fame in Canada, he changed paths and immigrated to Australia.  Mark was Canada’s first openly gay sports hero, starting a conversation that continues to this day, and he challenged the culture of the International Olympic Committee when no other athlete would.  Mark’s a trail blazer.

In this keynote Mark faces the theme of change head-on.  Many of us are afraid of change.  We would prefer things to stay the same than visit unknown territory.  But sometimes, whether we like it or not, change descends upon us and challenges us to reexamine our world.  We are forced to ask ourselves what we value. What we stand for. And how we bring those ideas to life.  Mark inspires audiences to think about change like an act of survival.  We must continually evolve and Champion Change to stay competitive, to stay connected to our purpose, to inspire innovation and achieve high performance!

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