Dave Kitson
Transform team performance with Dave Kitson, team bonding strategist and bestselling author. Dave equips organisations with proven strategies for building psychological safety, developing resilience during change, and creating high-trust teams through his InAMinute© technique. Former Premier League footballer whose insights are studied in UK A-Level classrooms nationwide.
Reading, United Kingdom
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As the revealed identity behind The Secret Footballer, Dave authored seven Sunday Times bestselling books, including the global number one I Am The Secret Footballer, now studied in A-Level classrooms across the UK. His professional playing career spanned over a decade at Reading FC, Stoke City, and Portsmouth, where he set multiple club records and achieved remarkable milestones.
Today Dave helps organisations tackle their most pressing challenges by applying proven principles from elite sports to business environments. His expertise in rapidly building trust within high-pressure teams addresses the critical issues facing today's leaders: creating cohesion during restructures, fostering genuine connection in hybrid workplaces, and transforming groups of talented individuals into high-performing teams with shared purpose.
Dave is also a passionate advocate for breaking the stigma around mental health having shared his honest reflections and personal struggles as The Secret footballer. Dave’s discussion on mental health and elite sporting culture influenced reforms in the PFA and drove millions in investment for mental health, anti-racism, and grassroots football. Dave now brings his extraordinary experiences to life using stories, memorabilia, and personal anecdotes involving some of the game’s greatest players—Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, Luka Modrić, Wayne Rooney and more.
Audiences leave Dave's presentations with practical strategies for building psychological safety in newly formed teams and actionable frameworks for creating deep trust and alignment when time is limited. His real-world stories involving football's biggest names make complex concepts accessible and open up important conversations around mental health and resilience.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Dave Kitson introduces InAMinute©, a rapid team-bonding technique designed to foster trust and connection in fast-paced workplaces. This method, utilised by leaders in sports, government, and business, encourages team members to share personal stories for just one minute, promoting authenticity and psychological safety. As teams face challenges like restructuring and hybrid work, InAMinute© provides an efficient solution to unite them quickly. You can book this session as a keynote or interactive workshop for your people.
This session aims to shed light on the importance of mental health and break the silence surrounding it. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of mental health issues, learn strategies to empower themselves and others, and discover resources available for support. By attending this session, individuals will have the knowledge and tools to promote mental wellbeing, reduce stigma, and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
Featured Projects
I Am The Secret Footballer
How to Win: Lessons from the Premier League
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