Travels from Minnesota, USA
Walter Bond's speaking fee falls within range: $20,000 to $25,000
With knowledge that was forged in the cauldron of the NBA, Walter Bond is known as “Mr. Accountability,” due to his credo that every person must take responsibility for his or her situation. He teaches that everyone who wants to become personally accountable, successful and confident can do so if they really want it enough.
Walter’s principles of success were applied to his own career, in which he moved from a reserve player to the first ever rookie free agent to earn a starting place for the Dallas Mavericks. Since his retirement hundreds of thousands of people have heard his story and taken on board his message.
With unrivalled real-world experience, not only as a basketball player but also as a salesman and entrepreneur, Walter Bond provides dynamic and intriguing presentations which will continue to have an impact on your audience for life.
When Walter steps onto the stage, you can’t miss him. It could be because he’s 6’5 and stands out in a crowd, but it could also be because on the stage is where he feels at home. As a nationally recognized public speaker, he commands the stage. He makes the entire audience, whether it’s a small board room or a large conference venue, feel seen. People walk out of Walter’s talks changed, motivated, and inspired. His principles are simple but powerful, his delivery is smooth, and he combines humor, tough love, and experience in a way that changes people.
Walter’s third and most recently released book Swim!, has picked up speed since its debut in July, and has become a staple for business people and students across the country. His easy-to-read professional development book combines lovable characters, relatable life lessons, and hard truths that help readers understand the power of leadership, mentoring, and next-level success.
Walter travels the country speaking, coaching, teaching, and inspiring companies across a wide range of industries, from financial services to agriculture and franchising to real estate and many more in between. At any given time, you can find Walter leading a mastermind class, offering one on one professional development, hosting book talks, and coaching hungry business leaders and entrepreneurs towards success.
While many know Walter Bond as a former NBA player, more and more people know Walter as a passionate and motivated speaker, author, and business coach with one goal: to help people see their full potential.
Walter graduated from the University of Minnesota and has been married to his wife and business partner Antoinette for 30 years. They have three adult children.
In this keynote speech to the 86th National FFA Convention, Walter Bond lays out his principles of personal achievement. He says, “I want to give you some information on how to be successful… talk ain't cheap, if you know what you're talking about. I want to make sure you live your dream, how about that?"
Talking over time when he felt so sorry for himself he had a “pity party" with Lionel Ritchie's “Hello,” he says, “And you know what I did when it was over? I put that song on again. Because that's what a pity party is, you focus on the wrong thing over and over and over again. I'm the only motivational speaker who will endorse a pity party. I believe God gave us emotions, if you're sad, be sad, but here's my stipulation: don't ever let your pity party last more than three days."
Addressing questions of attitude, he says, “Remember this for the rest of your life; most people who have a professional job think they're overqualified for their position. Typically, they're the only one who thinks so. If you ever find yourself overqualified for a position, here's my advice: keep dominating where you are until everyone else agrees that you're overqualified."
Walter Bond puts accountability at the heart of all his programs. He shows that if everybody in a team takes responsibility for mistakes and shortcomings then highest-level achievement is possible regardless of external circumstances. Walter is available for follow-up training to ensure that an organization keeps the culture of accountability which he has taught it.
Speaking on leadership, Walter asks leaders to step aside and let their employees go on to take ownership of their own processes, something that can only be positive for the company. He shows how employees can be motivated to look up to the highest possible pinnacle of achievement, rather than just straight ahead at the next promotion.
Walter also offers programs on sales which will re-energize your sales professionals, re-establish their passion, desire and commitment in a way which will stop them just selling and start them making customers only too happy to buy.
No One Can Stop You But You: Unlocking the Peak Performers Code
What if the only thing standing between you and your next level is… you? In this powerful keynote, Walter delivers The Peak Performers Code: 7 Next-Level Priorities that fuel unstoppable growth. These priorities—Winning Mindset, Accountability, Discipline, Maximizing Opportunities, Team Success, Networking, and Commitment—are the keys to breaking through every barrier.
Outcome: Your audience leaves with the conviction that success is in their control and the code to unlock it.
The Shark Mindset: Move With Relentless Focus and Confidence
Sharks never stop moving forward, and neither should you. In this electrifying keynote, Walter shows your team how to think, act, and compete like sharks—relentless, focused, and confident. You’ll learn the Sacred Six principles that turn hesitation into action and setbacks into setups for success.
Outcome: Your audience walks away fearless, resilient, and ready to attack their goals.
TeamMastery: Cultivating the Six Non-Negotiable TraitS of a Winning Team
Great teams don’t happen by accident—they’re cultivated with intention. Walter reveals the six non-negotiable traits every winning team must embody: Accountability, Trust, Communication, Chemistry, Common Goals, and Commitment.
Through vivid stories and actionable strategies, Walter shows leaders how to cultivate these traits inside their organization so teams move from working together to winning together.
Outcome: Your people leave with a clear path to building chemistry, fostering accountability, and cultivating the culture of champions.
Accelerate: How to Collapse Timeframes and Fast-Track Success
Sometimes success doesn’t take years—it just takes clarity and execution. Walter introduces his five-step Accelerate framework (Analyze, Strategize, Organize, Prioritize, Systemize) to help leaders and teams get unstuck and move from surviving to thriving.
Outcome: Your audience gains a proven roadmap to recalibrate, speed up results, and reach audacious goals faster.
From Boss to Coach: The Leadership Shift That Transforms Teams and Cultures
The leadership game has changed. Employees don’t want a boss—they want a coach. In this powerful keynote, Walter Bond reveals how today’s most effective leaders are transforming their organizations by mastering the 5 C’s of Coaching: Clarity, Connection, Communication, Consistency, and Culture.
Drawing from his NBA career and decades of experience developing high-performing teams, Walter challenges leaders to reimagine how they inspire, empower, and drive results. This keynote delivers a practical playbook for turning managers into mentors and teams into championship-caliber performers.
Outcome: • Shift from authority-based leadership to empowerment-driven coaching. • Build deeper trust and accountability across every level of the organization. • Elevate performance and retention through consistent coaching moments.
“From Boss to Coach” is more than a message—it’s a movement redefining what leadership looks like in today’s workplace.
“We have welcomed talented keynote speakers to The Dwyer Group Annual Reunion for more than three decades. But Walter Bond was our first-ever back to back repeat performance. Earning the highest ratings from our associates, franchisees, master licensees and all in attendance from across the country and around the world, Walter is so good at motivating that we all wanted a second helping!” – Dina Dwyer, CEO The Dwyer Group
“Walter Bond is energetic and speaks directly to the heart of each individual. Sprinkled with humor and stories, his message comes through clear and it sticks. His presentations, audios and DVDs remain key mojo builders that our sales team uses again and again.” – Evergreen Basement Systems
“Walter, just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you for the great job you did at our 2005 Fall Conference in September. Our Fall Conference has been held for almost 30 years, featuring some of the top names on the speaking circuit. After you presentation, I had a number of long-time conference veterans tell me that you were the best speaker they had ever seen. Having been involved with the conference for the last 14 years, I would have to agree with them. Thanks for being the highlight of our weekend.” Neil Christy, VP of Education and CU Development, Minnesota Credit Union Network
“Walter′s message is definitely one that all of our employees need to hear. The message was right on target!!” Ellen Graber, Manager, HR Maytag Services
“Walter Bond gives a humble, dynamic and humorous well-paced program that keeps attendees riveted to the edge of their seats when they’re not almost sliding off from laughter. Sharing his own life experience, opening our eyes to our own life’s parallels and ′how to’s′ was an incredible experience for all our attendees. Walter may have been a former NBA player turned professional speaker, but his program is a ′slam dunk′ no matter how you lay it up! Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to expand upon the pleasure our breakout attendees experienced with Walter’s dynamic program! I see GREAT things in his future and made some life altering decisions for my own ′off season′ as a result of participating in his program. For that, our family is very grateful!” Gloria Nelson, CSEP, Gloria Nelson Event Design, LLC
“Walter set just the right tone for the opening session of our 2005 Annual Conference and Business Opportunity Fair. He was entertaining and inspiring, enthusiastic and energizing. Most important, his message had value for everyone in the audience. He was, without a doubt, the hit of the conference.” Harriet R. Michel, President, National Minority Supplier Development Council
“I recently had the opportunity to hear Walter speak at a Conference in Las Vegas. I have to say he was the best speaker there! Not only did he hold your attention and make you laugh, his insight was right on! I′m so glad I got the chance to hear him and look forward to receiving his newsletter.” Lisa Haveman, Operations Manager, Management Services Northwest, Inc
“You promised to deliver and you did! Your presentation to our members was truly outstanding. Our members ′got′ your message and enjoyed your humor, style, and poise. I was especially impressed with your confidence, but you did not cross the line into arrogance. Thank you for applying your real life scenarios to what our members experience in their lives. We were impressed with your versatility and ease of delivery. If you have not heard Walter Bond speak, I would highly recommend you have him at your next event. We anticipate having Walter back again.” Terry Murphy, Education Director, Missouri Association of REALTORS
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Swim!: How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success
A fascinating story about the power of networking, connection, and mentorship
Written as an engaging parable, Swim! How a Shark, a Suckerfish, and a Parasite Teach You Leadership, Mentoring, and Next Level Success brings to life real-world challenges (and their solutions) and presents them in simple, yet powerful terms. The book explores the vital importance of networking, explores the steps that lead to successful networking, and explains why we need it.
Swim! dives deep into the concepts of mentorship and the power of human connection. While too many business leaders spend their time obsessing about facts, figures, and the bottom line, it is more important for them to learn to manage relationships. Once attention shifts to relationships, businesses and careers can reach the next level of success. Written by a leading motivational speaker, this book offers ideas that can be applied to both personal and business life.
Understand the importance of establishing habits and rituals Tap into the power of a positive mindset Discover the value of teamwork Learn to use intentional language about workplace culture
Swim! is an entertaining book that highlights the significant concept of connecting and building relationships and includes the tools needed to become more self-aware about our roles and contributions in our industries.
All Buts Stink! How to Live Your Best Life and Eliminate Excuses
Walter Bond learned key principles while playing sports that helped him to become the first rookie free agent to start for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks — which is unheard of in the world of professional sports. Walter shares his basic fundamentals of success that are available to everyone. All Buts Stink!, is designed to help people regardless of age or position release themselves from mediocrity and position themselves to reach their potential and to be free from all excuses. How many times have you heard a friend, family member or loved one completely explain how they haven’t achieved their dreams and framed the explanation with the word ‘but’.
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