Pete O’Keeffe helps leaders stay calm, make better decisions, and perform at their best under pressure.

A former Army and Police leader, entrepreneur, and elite rugby referee, Pete has led in high-stakes environments where clarity and courage are critical.

In 2025, Pete and his wife were detained by Secret Police while travelling through Iran. Held for over 70 hours under extreme pressure, Pete was forced to make critical decisions without complete information – decisions that led to their safe release.

They made it safely home after 15 months on the road — resilient, sharpened, and more convinced than ever that leadership is tested not in comfort, but in crisis.

Pete equips leaders to stay calm, clear, and decisive under pressure, build resilient high-performing teams, and lead with humility, courage, and trust when it matters most.

Speaking Topics:

1. BEACON IN THE SHADOWS - Detained by Secret Police while travelling through Iran. Held for over 70 hours under extreme pressure, Pete was forced to make critical decisions without complete information – decisions that led to their safe release.

   
   

   One signal that he was able to get to the outside world, saved them.

   
   

2. BLINDFOLDED LEADERSHIP -a 15 month overland odyssey from the UK - NZ. 67,000km, through 53 countries,. Life & Leadership Lessons Forged on an Overland Journey Across Deserts, Borders, & Captured in Iran.

3. THE JIG-SAW LIFE - How God Uses Broken Pieces to Build Leaders, Restore Faith, and Create a Life That Works

4. TRUST UNDER PRESSURE. Decision-Making When There's No Clear Way Out. Flying to Hamilton (I was the pilot) and being trapped under the cloud