I just wanted to pass on our sincere thanks for the time and effort that Kevin and the team put in to arranging the presentation to our supervisor/Sergeants last week. Sergeant Dan Ware has worked hard to canvas opinion and research the needs of our staff in the context of leadership development and input from successful leaders is held in the highest regard. An hour with Kevin Sinfield at Headingley surpassed our most ambitious hopes and expectations and those that could attend have asked me to pass on their thanks for what was an inspirational session with a leader of the highest calibre and credibility. Dan has surveyed attendees for feedback and 100% felt motivated by Kevin’s input and that their approach to leadership would be positively influenced as a result.
Kevin and the Police team felt that this input should be for the people on the front line whose actions most directly benefit our communities and so I made a conscious effort to keep our more senior management away (not as easy as it sounds!). That said, I have spoken with both the Chief Constable and Deputy on the matter and on behalf of West Yorkshire Police can I formally thank you all for making this happen. Please can I also ask that our thanks be passed on to Kevin whose special qualities and down to earth approach made for an outstanding input that will doubtlessly, through those he has inspired, improve the lives of communities in Leeds.
Kevin was recently the guest speaker to a small select audience of professionals. Prior to the event and over drinks Kevin proved a real draw offering a relaxed approachable ambassador for his sport. During dinner he captivated the guests with numerous examples of a world beyond most others.
Throughout Kevin’s after dinner slot, he offered an insightful view of the road he had taken to get to the top of his sport and profession. He offered an honest view of the highs and lows he has had to endure throughout his career, adding a humorous take on some of the more challenging times. Any questions, even on some of those more challenging subjects, were fielded with thought and consideration.
The feedback from the evening included the fact that Kevin’s articulation came across as really genuine and inspiring and some even commented that the evening had been one of the best events they had ever attended.
Eton College Sports Society has for many years drawn high-achieving people to share their insights and experiences with a new generation of students. Kevin came to Eton College in the spring of 2012 along with fellow Leeds Rhinos Zak Hardaker and Kallum Watkins and their visit made a lasting impression on all who were fortunate to be there.
In conversation at the Sports Society in Upper School (a venue that dates back to the 15th century) Kevin provided a rich and honest assessment of his career in rugby league and he captured superbly the importance of building and sustaining the right cultures within a large group as a platform for sustained success in one of the world’s toughest team sports. In a school with no tradition of the 13 man code,
Kevin’s natural ability to articulate his core ideas won him over new fans and he repeated the feat with a talk to over 500 students at a morning assembly the following day. If you are looking for a speaker with a truly outstanding record at club and international level who can strip away in an instant the artificial gloss that surrounds so much of professional sport, then Kevin Sinfield would be first on my list.
“Kevin Sinfield is the most impressive sportsman I have ever seen.”