Biography

John Foley is a former Lead Solo Pilot of the Navy’s Blue Angels, “Top Ten Carrier Pilot,” a bestselling author and an expert on high-performance teams. As a keynote speaker, John has inspired over 1,000 organizations to increase trust, elevate execution and build a culture of excellence.

No other speaker in the world shares John’s life experiences. Through keynote presentations and hands-on workshops, John clearly applies his lifetime of discovery to real-world situations. He has delivered his extraordinary message at over 1,000 events, to over 1 million people worldwide.

John’s keynotes, workshops, and programs inspire individuals, teams, and organizations to reach and operate at their highest potential. His high-performance framework is vital for leaders reaching for the next level of success, and his Glad to Be Here® Mindset is a fundamental tool for maximizing possibility and achieving goals.

John Foley’s message goes above and beyond expectations. With engaging stories and electrifying videos of Blue Angel aerobatics, his presentations will give your organization a renewed spirit, purpose and energy. John’s events inspire, motivate and align teams to improve performance, strengthen teamwork, and thrive with a Glad to Be Here Mindset.

As the founder and CEO of CenterPoint Companies—which provides business performance training to companies worldwide—John knows first-hand how the best of the best excel and continually improve. By thoroughly studying the current climate within your workplace and reflecting on his past experiences, John Foley delivers personalized programs aligned with company culture and event goals. This detail-oriented customization will give your people the experience of a lifetime.

John graduated from the US Naval Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering and was a defensive back for the Midshipmen. As a pilot, John was a “Top Ten Carrier Pilot” six times before becoming a Marine instructor pilot and then a Blue Angel.

He holds three master’s degrees:

  • a master’s degree as a Sloan Fellow from Stanford Graduate School of Business
  • a master’s in Strategic Studies from the Naval War College
  • a master’s in International Policy Studies from Stanford University

John was also a Fellow at the Stanford Center on International Conflict and Negotiations and was awarded an honorary Ph.D. from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México).

He has continually reinvented himself, working as an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, leadership expert, keynote speaker, and the bestselling author of Fearless Success.

In 2011, John and his wife Carol founded The Glad to Be Here Foundation to work with charitable organizations close to their hearts. John works with every single client to donate a portion of his fee to a charity of their choice. To date, the foundation has donated over $2,000,000 to 360+ charities in 57 countries around the world.

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Elevating Mindset

John 'Gucci' Foley's keynote, Elevating Mindset, directly addresses the challenges many face in today's fast-paced environment—stress, disconnection, and a lack of engagement.

Through his Glad to Be Here philosophy, John offers a compelling solution that goes beyond mere positivity, diving into gratitude as a form of self-accountability and ownership, even when facing adversity. It's about acknowledging mistakes, committing to improvement, and fostering a supportive team environment.

This approach builds a resilient culture where gratitude is a catalyst for growth, collaboration, and the betterment of the team as a whole, offering a profound way to strengthen bonds and drive collective success.

Audience will leave empowered with:
🔹 A deeper understanding of the role of trust in achieving high performance.
🔹 Tools for fostering a cohesive, supportive team environment.
🔹 Practical steps for applying Blue Angels' principles to drive success and teamwork in any organization.
🔹 Strategies for building unshakeable trust within teams.
🔹 Techniques for enhancing clear, precise communication.
🔹 Insights into performing with precision in high-pressure situations.

Creating A Culture of Excellence

John 'Gucci' Foley's Creating a Culture of Excellence keynote transcends the conventional, channeling his elite Blue Angels experience into a beacon of transformation for teams and leaders.

This session isn't just about listening; it's an immersive journey into reshaping how we perceive challenges and opportunities, marked by actionable insights for breakthrough growth.

Attendees will emerge with a vibrant toolkit for personal and collective innovation, ready to navigate the complexities of their industries with newfound resilience and creativity.

Perfect for forward-thinking leaders, dynamic teams, and organizations poised for transformative success, this keynote promises to be a pivotal moment of inspiration and strategic empowerment.

Audience will leave empowered with:

🔹 The ability to foster a culture of creativity and innovation.
🔹 Enhanced team collaboration and communication skills.
🔹 A toolkit for driving personal and organizational growth.
🔹 New perspectives on change and innovation
🔹 Ways to shift limiting to empowering beliefs
🔹 Insights on leveraging gratitude within teams.
🔹 Actionable steps to elevate belief levels for peak performance.

High Trust, High Execution

John 'Gucci' Foley's keynote, High Trust, High Execution, delves into the critical role trust and clear communication play in achieving peak performance, especially under pressure. Drawing from his experiences with the Blue Angels, John illustrates how deep trust and precise communication enable teams to operate with extraordinary precision and reliability.

This session offers a roadmap for cultivating an environment where trust is the foundation, empowering
individuals and teams to execute their tasks flawlessly, even in high-stakes situations, thereby driving
unparalleled success and cohesion.

Ideal for leaders, managers, and teams across all sectors looking to enhance their performance in high-stakes
environments. It's particularly valuable for organizations striving to improve teamwork, communication, and
trust within their ranks, ensuring every member operates at their peak with confidence and precision.

Audience will leave empowered with:
🔹 A deeper understanding of the role of trust in achieving high performance.
🔹 Tools for fostering a cohesive, supportive team environment.
🔹 Practical steps for applying Blue Angels' principles to drive success and teamwork in any organization.
🔹 Strategies for building unshakeable trust within teams.
🔹 Techniques for enhancing clear, precise communication.
🔹 Insights into performing with precision in high-pressure situations.

Inspiring Leadership

John 'Gucci' Foley's keynote, Inspiring Leadership, delves into the core of dynamic leadership, focusing on inspiration, continuous improvement, and the art of empowerment. It explores how leaders can inspire action and foster an environment of growth and innovation. By emphasizing the power of inspiration to motivate and drive progress, the commitment to continuous
improvement for achieving excellence, and mastering the art of empowering others to unlock their full potential, this presentation guides leaders in creating a transformative impact.

The keynote offers practical insights into cultivating a leadership style that not only achieves
goals but also inspires everyone around to rise and meet their highest potential, thereby creating a legacy of positive change and success. This presentation is ideal for leaders, managers, and anyone aspiring to make a significant impact through dynamic leadership.

Audience will leave empowered with:
🔹 Insight into the essence of dynamic leadership.
🔹Practical strategies for fostering inspiration within teams.
🔹Techniques for continuous personal and professional growth.
🔹 Understanding of effective communication and influence.
🔹 Tools for building resilience and adaptability.
🔹 Methods for creating a positive, impactful leadership legacy.

Mastering Teamwork

John 'Gucci' Foley's Mastering Teamwork keynote dives deep into the Blue Angels' Centerpoint strategy for supreme team alignment and decision-making, enhancing collaboration across all teamwork aspects.

It weaves riveting cliffhangers from his tenure with the Blue Angels, exploring moments that tested their limits and required adaptability and unity. These stories demonstrate resilience and the transformative growth that emerges from facing the unknown together.

Ideal for teams aiming for high performance, this session offers tools for seamless cooperation
and a profound understanding of what it takes to achieve excellence collectively.

Audience will leave empowered with:
🔹Insight into the Blue Angels' strategies for peak team alignment and decision-making.
🔹Techniques for enhancing trust and collaboration within their teams.
🔹Practical tools for adapting to and overcoming unexpected challenges collectively.
🔹 Methods for fostering a high-performance team culture focused on mutual support and excellence.
🔹Understanding of how to leverage individual strengths for team success.
🔹Strategies for maintaining composure and clarity under pressure, ensuring effective teamwork in any
situation.

Embracing Change with Innovation

John 'Gucci' Foley's keynote, Embracing Change with Innovation, combines gripping tales from his Blue
Angels experience with practical insights for thriving in today's dynamic landscape.

Gucci illustrates how adaptability, collaboration, and a unified response to challenges can drive
innovation and success. He emphasizes the importance of building a resilient culture that leverages
these principles to foster growth, enhance competitive edge, and navigate the complexities of change.

This engaging session offers a roadmap for leveraging unforeseen challenges as opportunities for
transformative growth, making it a vital resource for leaders and teams committed to excellence in an
ever-evolving marketplace.

Audience will leave empowered with:
🔹Insights into the Blue Angels' adaptability and teamwork strategies.
🔹Techniques for turning challenges into opportunities for innovation.
🔹Principles for maintaining high performance in changing environments.
🔹Strategies for fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
🔹Methods for enhancing resilience and competitive edge in business.
🔹Tools for transformative growth and achieving excellence through unity

Testimonials

I have seen 100’s of speakers and John’s message was caring and prepared, but what hit my heart most was the Glad to Be Here® messaging. This was by far the best engagement ever between a speaker and our attendees. When John took our employees into breakout rooms it made them feel at ease and opened up to one another. Communication is so crucial, and this is one amazing way to do so in any organization.
– Todd Brown, CEO, Tech Qualled
I think of John's presentation quite a bit actually as he is one of the most dynamic speakers I have seen in quite some time I taught at Dale Carnegie for 15 years - Effective Speaking and How to Win Friends and Influence People here in San Diego while I was also working at Dale Carnegie - so I recognize a presenter who makes an impact!
– Barbara Claire Schroer, Luxottica Group Brand Ambassador Luxury, Tiffany, Valentino & Giorgio Armani
Our employees keep the five dynamics at hand during all meetings. It has completely re-framed the way that we interact with one another, and started some difficult conversations about how to move forward from failure and success.
– Melissa Cox, SVP, Brighthouse Financial
John was amazing! He is quite the buzz on the conference floor and with our execs!
– Shelly Fox, Trades & Events Manager, NextGen Healthcare
John has a way of connecting with the audience that’s meaningful and his message resonates! He’s inspiring, humble and connects with all participants on many different levels! John’s Diamond Performance Framework will help any company or team achieve even greater results without question.
– Jeff Myers, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership
The most inspirational and transformational Keynote on the planet.
– Patrick Cowden, CEO, Beyond Leadership

Booksby John “Gucci” Foley

Fearless Success

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