Be The Captain

The Leadership Evolution No One Is Talking About: But Every Board Needs

By Stew Darling

This Isn't A Motivational Talk

It’s a challenge, aimed squarely at the most successful people in the room.

Because here’s the hard truth: What got you here won’t get you through what’s next.

In a world where leaders are under relentless pressure to perform, where the room gets lonelier the higher you climb, it’s no longer enough to “lead well.” The era of leadership is evolving. Titles don’t matter. Playbooks don’t work. Captaincy is what’s left when everything else is stripped away.

What to expect

Be the Captain is a raw, high-impact keynote that pulls no punches. Built for elite executives, board members, and founders, this session cuts through the noise with real-world lessons from covert operations and battlefield-tested leadership—translated into the boardroom, the C-suite, and the pressure-cooker moments where it all hangs in the balance.

Stew Darling draws on decades of experience at the sharp end of military command to deliver a radical framework for leading at the top when the stakes are highest.

The Captain’s Code

The 3 Pillars of Modern Captaincy:

Be Unreasonable
Elite standards don’t come from consensus, they come from courage.

“Your culture will never outperform the worst behavior you tolerate.”
This pillar exposes how ‘reasonable leadership’ is the death of elite performance and how captains create cultures that demand more.

A new Standard
Command clarity in chaos.

“Captaincy isn’t about moving faster. It’s about being still when everyone else is panicking.”
From covert ops to the C-suite, Stew teaches how to see through the fog, remove the noise, and make high-stakes decisions with calm, ruthless clarity.

Lead Without the Mask
At the top, no one asks if you’re okay.

“Vulnerability isn’t weakness. It’s the flex only the top 1% are brave enough to use.”
This is a raw look at the hidden cost of leadership, and the power of authenticity when you’ve got everything to lose—and everything riding on you.

Not For Everyone

This keynote isn’t about being better—it’s about becoming different.
It’s for the few who are ready to:

Break out of legacy leadership models
Face what they’ve been avoiding
Reclaim control when the mask slips
Lead without compromise, on the bridge, not in the bunker

Who It’s For

CEOs, Founders & C-Suite Leaders
Boards ready to build a true captain at the helm
Teams navigating high-pressure transformation or crisis
Anyone done with playing it safe at the top

Special Notes For Boards

“If you want a CEO who performs like a captain,
you better create a boardroom that operates like a bridge—not a bunker.”

Delivery Options

Stew is happy to create bespoke keynotes on a wide variety of subjects. Get in touch.

1-Hour Keynote

A high-impact, energising presentation designed to spark new thinking and leave your audience inspired. Perfect for conferences, leadership summits, or opening/closing sessions where time is limited but engagement is essential.

2-Hour Intensive

A deeper dive into one of Stew’s core topics, combining storytelling with practical takeaways. This format allows time for audience interaction, discussion, and a more immersive learning experience.

Half-Day Workshop

Ideal for teams or groups looking to explore a topic in greater depth. Includes interactive exercises, breakout discussions, and tools your audience can apply immediately in their work or personal lives.

Full-Day Experience

An immersive, full-scale experience focused on transformation, team cohesion, and deep personal insight. Combines strategic content, self-reflection, and action planning to create a lasting impact.

Online or In Person

All sessions are available in-person (anywhere in New Zealand or internationally by arrangement) or delivered virtually with the same high level of energy and interactivity.

Ready to Book Stew for Your Event?

Let’s start the conversation. Whether you know exactly what you’re after or want help shaping the right session for your team, we’ll make it impactful, relevant, and unforgettable.

Dive Deeper into Unstoppable Force

Explore our collection of free resources, including Stew’s books, podcasts, and videos, to gain deeper insights into the Unstoppable Force philosophy and discover how it can transform your life and your organisation.