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Adaptive Leadership
From Introverted Talent to Courageous Leader: Lessons in Reflection, Communication & Mindset
More detailed information
What makes leadership truly adaptive? It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about the ability to evolve, stay grounded, and lead with confidence in uncertain times.
In this deeply personal and insightful keynote, Ann Wauters shares her transformation from a quiet, introverted girl to a commanding presence on the basketball court. As captain of the Belgian Cats and later assistant coach in the WNBA, she learned what it takes to lead diverse teams through pressure, setbacks, and change.
Through real-life stories — from speaking up in Olympic huddles to making game-changing decisions — Ann reveals the mindset and skillset today’s leaders need to inspire others and drive performance in fast-changing environments. Her journey offers a blueprint for building leadership presence that is authentic, adaptive, and impactful.
What the audience will learn
How to develop authentic leadership presence regardless of personality type
How to use self-reflection to strengthen leadership awareness and impact
How to lead diverse and international teams through effective communication
How to create a feedback culture that encourages growth and performance
How to show courageous leadership when facing fear, change, or uncertainty
How to cultivate an adaptive mindset that embraces transformation
This keynote is perfect for
Senior leaders, team managers, emerging leaders, and executives navigating change — anyone who wants to lead with greater authenticity, resilience, and impact during times of uncertainty.
Ann Wauters rose from an introverted, athletic girl to a global icon in professional basketball, captaining the Belgian Cats, winning at the highest levels, and redefining leadership in sport and business.
Next to that, she is Four-time EuroLeague champion, winner of the EuroCup, multiple domestic league titles, and WNBA champion in 2016 and Five-time European Player of the Year, Olympic athlete with a bronze medal at EuroBasket and leading the Cats at Tokyo 2021.
She brings 25 years of teamwork at the highest level—from leading elite basketball teams to coaching in the WNBA—and transforms her deep experience into instructive, inspiring keynotes that elevate teams and organizations to new heights.
Ann brings raw authenticity, elite sports wisdom, and proven frameworks to every stage. Whether you want to empower leadership, boost resilience, or uplift team culture, she equips audiences with strategies they can apply the minute they leave the room.
Ann’s high-impact talks center on:
Leadership Evolution: Traces her journey from introvert to internationally recognised captain, spotlighting courage, vulnerability, feedback, and emotional agility.
The Reimagined TEAM Framework: Trust, Energy, Accountability & Mindset—unlocking cohesive, high-performing teams, rooted in her Cats successes.
The Game of Life: Translatable tactics from elite sport to entrepreneurship—cultivating resilience through routines, belief, flexibility, and mental toughness.
Mentorship: she extends her influence through mentorship and training
She wrote The Game of Life and is co-author of Mentor Moves. Together with other athletes, she aims to spark a movement that breaks through isolation, loneliness, doubt, and uncertainty—by offering guidance, wisdom from life, storytelling, and deep expertise, as a counter-movement to the growing individualism and egoism in society. With Assists, she spreads universal mentorship principles to share her experience to others.
From Court to Boardroom: Elevate Your Team with Trust, Energy, Accountability & Mindset.
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