<p>Don Yaeger is a nationally acclaimed inspirational speaker, longtime Associate Editor of <i>Sports Illustrated</i>, author of over 30 books, eleven of which have become <i>New York Times</i> Best-sellers, and host of <i>Corporate Competitor Podcast</i>. He began his career at the <i>San Antonio Light</i> in Texas, and also worked at the <i>Dallas Morning News</i> and the <i>Florida Times-Union</i> in Jacksonville before going to work for <i>Sports Illustrated</i>. </p><p>As an author, Don has written books with, among others, Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden, baseball legends John Smoltz and Tug McGraw, and football stars Warrick Dunn and Michael Oher (featured in the movie The Blind Side). He teamed with Fox News anchor Brian Kilmeade to pen the 2013 best-seller <i>George Washington’s Secret Six</i>, a look at the citizen spy ring that helped win the Revolutionary War and then again in 2015 for <i>Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War that Changed American History</i>, and in 2017 for <i>Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle that Shaped America’s Destiny.</i></p><p>Don left SI in 2008 to pursue a public speaking career that has allowed him to share stories learned from the greatest winners of our generation with audiences as diverse as Fortune 10 companies to cancer survivor groups, where he shares his personal story. More than a quarter-million people have heard his talks on “What Makes the Great Ones Great.” He collaborated with the Florida State University School of Business’s Continuing Education Program to build a corporate webinar program focusing on lessons building a culture of success within an organization. This naturally led to another keynote speech on “What Makes the Great Teams Great.” The release of his tenth<i> New York Times</i> best-seller, <i>Teammate</i>, was the inspiration for his newest keynote on “Becoming a Team of Great Teammates.”</p>
Former Writer for <em>Sports Illustrated</em>, Media Coach, <em>New York Times</em> Best-selling Author
<ul><li><strong>What Makes the Great Ones Great</strong></li><li>Over the course of a 30-year journalism career, Don has had opportunity to ask 2,500 of the greatest winners of our generation: “Can you name a habit that allowed you to separate yourself form your competitors?” Their answers inspired this speech during which Don teaches you how to apply their lessons into your personal pursuit of excellence. </li><li>Ideal for: Sales Conferences/Any gathering of people who identify themselves as “Competitive”</li><li><strong>What Makes the Great Teams Great</strong></li><li>Don was challenged by a corporate executive to answer the question, “Why are some teams capable of consistently being high-performing when other teams rise and fall so often?” More than 100 team leaders from the world of sports and another two dozen in the world of business opened their doors to allow Don to study why their teams remain at the top of their field. This study led to a best-selling book on Great Teams which naturally led to this keynote about how your team can become consistently high-performing.</li><li>Ideal for: Leadership gatherings/mid-level and above for those who manage teams</li><li><strong>Becoming a Team of Great Teammates</strong></li><li>This presentation is inspired by the story of Chicago Cubs Manager David Ross, who spent most of his 15-year career in the major leagues as a back-up. His career doubled in length and he had the opportunity to win two world series championships, when he learned how to become a Great Teammate. This speech is about the lesson we can learn as we develop ourselves as better teammates and the power generated when we create environments that recognize and celebrate those people who can “become invaluable without ever being most valuable.” </li><li>Ideal for: All-hands gatherings/company-wide events</li><li><strong>How to Use Storytelling to Connect, Influence & Make Greater Impact</strong></li><li>Don Yeager has been called “one of America’s greatest storytellers” by many of today’s top thought leaders. Through decades of research in this space, Don has discerned the 10 Elements of a well told story. In this new keynote speech, Don takes your audience on a journey that will help them tell their story that provides lasting impact and deeper relationships.</li></ul>