Thomas Kolditz

Thomas Kolditz is a distinguished former Brigadier General, having served in the United States military for an impressive 34 years. Since retiring, he has dedicated his time to documenting his experiences through writing and has made numerous appearances on major national and international broadcasts. In addition to his media presence, he is currently the Executive Director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. With a career built on the foundations of teamwork and leadership, he is now a highly sought-after keynote speaker, delivering impactful talks on leadership to some of the world’s most high-profile organisations.

During his extensive military career, Thomas honed his ability to lead under immense pressure, developing resilience and the capacity to make critical decisions in high-stakes environments. He led the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Leadership at the US Military Academy, dedicating 12 years to the academy and spearheading research and teaching in management, psychology, and sociology. His work in these areas has cemented his reputation as an expert in emotional intelligence and leadership. Additionally, he is credited with founding the West Point Leadership Centre and has even applied his leadership skills in unique ways, such as serving as a skydiving instructor for the West Point Sport Parachute Team.

Following his military service, Thomas transitioned into academia, where he continues to shape the future of leadership. As the founding Executive Director of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, he has created a programme dedicated to developing strong, capable leaders. He also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Yale School of Management, where he designed and directs the Leader Development Programme. His expertise has been recognised widely, earning him the title of Leadership Thought Leader and the distinction of Top Leader Development Professional by Leadership Excellence. Further cementing his influence, he authored In Extremis Leadership: Leading as if Your Life Depended on It, a book based on over 175 interviews conducted during combat in Iraq.

As an inspirational leadership speaker, Thomas captivates audiences worldwide, having delivered over 150 keynote speeches to diverse sectors, including corporate, governmental, and emergency response organisations. His ability to engage audiences extends beyond the classroom, having lectured at institutions such as Duke University, Peking University, Columbia University, and the University of Missouri. His expertise has also been sought by law enforcement and firefighters, demonstrating the versatility and real-world applicability of his insights. Additionally, leading news broadcasters, including ABC World News, Al Jazeera, and CBS, have featured him as an expert commentator. Covering key topics such as crisis preparedness, leadership takeaways, and developing future leaders, Thomas is the ideal speaker for corporate events, leadership summits, and team-building workshops. He can now be hired via the Inspirational Leadership Speakers Agency.