High-stakes leadership and decision-making under pressure, from the world stage to the boardroom

Helping leaders and teams to gain a practical framework for MAKING, and more importantly COMMUNICATING difficult decisions in messy, high-pressure situations to earn trust and respect, not just chase popularity.

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Keynote Talks

“You’re not here to be popular…”

Leadership and decision-making for ‘wicked’ problems  

Large organisations don’t fail because leaders can’t decide - they fail when decisions don’t survive messy reality: incomplete data, misaligned stakeholders, high emotion, and a spotlight that magnifies every trade-off.

That’s the arena Tom Foley mastered over 11 years as a professional Rugby Union official, including 300+ elite matches, five European Cup Finals, five Premiership Rugby Finals, and TMO for the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final - where being “right” isn’t enough; credibility comes from how you decide, explain, and manage what happens next.

In You’re Not Here to Be Popular, Tom shows executives and boards how to make defensible calls in wicked problems and “sell the decision” so it lands as legitimate - clear, fair, consistent, and explainable - even when it creates losers. The takeaway is a repeatable decision-making operating system leaders can use immediately to cut through noise, prevent corridor sabotage, earn respect under scrutiny, and keep teams moving when unanimity is impossible.

Find out more here including why it matters, who this talk is for and what you can expect to take away…

Book Tom

Tom spent 11 years as a professional Rugby Union match official, operating in high-consequence, high-scrutiny arenas where every call is contested and every decision has immediate consequences. He officiated 48 international Tests, 350+ first-class games worldwide, and served as TMO for the Rugby World Cup Final in 2023.

In that world, “being right” isn’t enough - your legitimacy depends on how you make decisions, how you communicate them, and how you manage the aftermath. Those are the same pressures facing leaders in large organisations navigating transformation, regulatory scrutiny, reputational risk, or complex multi-stakeholder change.

About Tom

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Client Reviews

  • “Tom doesn’t give the answers, he gives food for thought. It made me sit up and think.”

  • “An honest approach to how to tackle complex decision-making, it made me sit up and listen”

  • “No jargon, no fluff just open and honest – relatable from start to finish”

  • “Whether sharing inspiring anecdotes, delivering insightful observations, or providing a touch of humour from a wealth of experience, Tom consistently leaves a lasting impression.”

  • “His charismatic presence and polished delivery ensure that attendees are not only entertained but also inspired and motivated.”

  • “Tom has a remarkable talent for weaving humour and storytelling into his presentation creating an atmosphere that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.”

Get in touch…

To book Tom, enquire about availability or have any questions please get in touch using the form below!