Jamie Fitzgerald

Adventurer and Television Presenter. Keynote Speaker and Management Consultant.

Jamie is one of New Zealand’s most sought after management consultants and keynote speakers, is a modern-day pioneer, and has helped thousands of people around the world bridge the gap between strategy, leadership and creating a high-performance culture.

In 2007 Jamie become the first ever Kiwi to reach the South Pole unsupported on foot with fellow adventurer Kevin Biggar, creating media attention world-wide as they implemented a ‘business-like’ approach to their 52-day expedition. Jamie also holds the world record for crossing the 5000km Atlantic Ocean in a tiny row boat, he has captained rowing crews versus Cambridge and Oxford Universities during his management degrees, and has held various management roles in a range of industries. He is currently the CEO of Inspiring Performance.

Jamie’s leadership and ‘performance-through people’ approach to his consulting and adventures has helped thousands of people achieve more. One of Jamie’s favorite campaigns (‘The Big Walk’) included thousands of young kiwis having adventurous, learning-based experiences throughout New Zealand. The campaign ended with participants, Ministers and CEOs spending two days helping create a strategy to combat New Zealand’s negative youth statistics.

Jamie’s professional career is based on the same principles as The Big Walk – helping people realise their potential via co-creating an inspiring purpose, effective goal setting and communication. Combined with his professional background, Jamie’s ability to translate strategic thinking and tactical planning into practical steps is very hard to beat. He is one of New Zealand’s most booked speakers and works regularly around the world.

In 2011, Jamie managed the design and delivery of training to Rugby World Cup 2011 volunteers. This was a programme for 7000+ people tasked with delivering a ‘uniquely New Zealand’ customer experience.

In recent years, Jamie has worked internationally, focusing in the following areas:
• Strategy implementation and change management;
• Cultural alignment;
• Leadership development and personal coaching;
• Branded customer service;
• Instructional design, facilitation; and,
• Programme development and large-group events.

Jamie is currently delivering a range of strategic, leadership and performance-related initiatives with organisations and individuals, as well as many speeches and workshops. He is also co-host of the television documentary series ‘First Crossings’.

Jamie is not only an inspirational Kiwi, he has a commited focus on improving the leadership, communication and performance of those he works with. His work around the globe has helped thousands of people and organisations achieve more.

QUALIFICATIONS/INDUSTRY STANDARDS:
• BCS Management, Communication & Marketing - University of Waikato
• Prince2 project management methodology - Certified Practitioner
• TMS – Team Management Systems certified profiler

“As we set out on an adventure I had dreamed about, racing 5000km across the Atlantic Ocean, everything was going to plan… Within 24 hours, we faced unexpected adversity. We had gone straight into a major storm – headwinds, waves and currents. With our progress stalled we faced a choice. Put out a sea anchor, which would reduce the rate at which we would be pushed backwards, but at least we would conserve precious energy. Or, keep rowing.

We took the tough decision and kept rowing, adapting our shift pattern and working together. For 42 hours we made
no progress, moving less than half a mile across the ocean. Tired and disheartened, finally the storm passed over us, and we made the call to our support team by satellite phone.

‘Whatever you’ve been doing, keep doing it’ they said. ‘Everyone else has gone backwards they all put out their sea anchor], and you are now 30 miles in front!’ Forty days later, we crossed the finish line, winning in world record time. Our winning margin? Just over 30 miles! How we cope with times of adversity,deal with ambiguity, and encourage innovative thinking can create an ultimate and sustainable competitive edge. It isn’t just bloody-mindedness. Rather, success is the result of stretching ourselves, thinking the options through analytically,backing our judgment, adapting our processes, and believing in our ability”.