Pocket Sized Pep Talks

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: How optimism and confidence, two traits to be admired, and two traits found in most entrepreneurs, can create unique challenges.  The harder the journey, the harder we fight.  But it can also create an irrational escalation of commitment (EoC).     The concept of, Sunken Cost Fallacy: a person who is reluctant to change a strategy or course of action be...

I’ve been mentoring a handful of clients lately who seem to answer a lot of my requests with the words, “I’ll try.” In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk I'll tell why that hasn’t been working well for them... and for the record, "I'll try," doesn’t work so well for me either!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: His amazing journey from childhood challenges, to success, to a devastating 15 minutes of shame, through cancel culture, and back again.   His explanation for his actions, the collateral consequences of those actions, and what he's learned from them. The reality of the cancel culture moment. Des's lessons in business, one of which is never, ever... ever...

I’m going to tell you a true story about two people. It’s a story that plays out in so many lives when these two personalities collide, and the results are disturbing. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk we'll look at a key lesson to be learned when trying a little too hard to be right.

In this episode of Pocket Sized Pep Talks you'll learn: How his book,  My Daily Leadership: A powerful roadmap for leadership success found him!  An explanation of, ‘action bias’ and why he believes it’s a leader’s single most valuable resource. Antonio's process for journaling, and the incredible value he gets from this process. Evidence that shows emotional intelligence is the strongest single p...

Have you ever noticed that there are people in business, and in life, who you just want to believe? There are also those people who you find you are a little wary of and not so quick to believe what they say. Why are some people more believable than others? In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk you learn the ramifications behind these simple question I’ll walk you through not just the problem, but the sol...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: An amazing story involving Alan and Kobe Bryant that illustrates the importance of fundamentals.  How Alan ties the obsession of fundamentals to business. Alan witnessing and preaching a never-stop attitude of working to improve.   His belief that one of the most fundamental moves we all learn, and quickly forget; listening.   What a Winner’s Mindset lo...

As a guy who has been a member of several different gyms through the years, I had to smile when I saw a recent commercial for a competing gym. It’s everything my gym is not, and yet, they provide an amazing lesson in marketing. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk you’ll see how to differentiate your business and find your niche

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: Jeff's view of what has the greatest influence on the success or failure when it comes to change: The potential for resistance.  How you go about moving others past the resistance to change. Six critical tips every leader needs to know to get fast returns from the consistency of change.  The art of creating a motivational narrative around a singular goa...

I learned a great deal working for Xerox. They certainly taught me how to sell, but two of the greatest programs I was involved in had little to do with selling. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk I'll tell you about two amazing programs that taught me the answer to a question that has puzzled many; can ethics be taught? Spoiler Alert: It sure can... but not from a book!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: What drove Gabe to this particular topic and book. A look at how being authentic can be such a powerful way to appeal to an audience.  How knowing a topic inside and out allows for a more flexible approach to effective communication.  The need for presenters to be able to put themselves in the place of their audience and overcome their own blind spots. ...

During the winter, while most of the Eastern United States was struggling to cope with some nasty weather, one small establishment provided a wonderful lesson in both running a business and being part of a community. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll tell you all about it, and a key lesson to be learned from it!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: How Grant went from the brink; hopeless, battling addiction, and homeless, and not only worked to save his own life, he transformed what he learned to the world of business. The difference from being at the top of a buyer’s mind to being Top of Heart®. How this approach plays out in real life. How this worldview can future-proof a business. How so? What...

It happens so often. You’ll see a gifted speaker working hard in a presentation. Slowly but surely, he or she will capture the room and inspire the audience. Then, when it’s time to leave, with the audience breathless, the speaker will fumble the final few words. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you’ll not only hear what I mean, I’ll show you exactly how to fix this.

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: What led Greg to write Trust the Plan and how is it different from other business / management books. The definition of Demand Management. How leaders can foster trust.  How organizational leaders build and maintain trust that will extend from the leadership team down through the chain of command. How businesses commonly confuse “plans” and “goals." Why...

Traveling through Africa I met a lot of wonderful people, but one street vendor stood out above the crowd. He stood out simply because of his name. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk I’ll not only tell you his name, I’ll tell you the lesson behind it!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: What drove him to write this book, and the unique nature of the book. How trust is the most under-leveraged impact-maker in the business world today, and why Zain feels this is such a blind spot for many. The fact that we're not in the manufacturing, services, transportation, business; we're in the people business. A basic framework for building trust g...

While I was preparing for a training workshop in Boston, I had an interesting exchange with a client. This client wanted to make sure that everything was planned correctly, and they worried that they were bothering me with the details. Bothering me? In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk I'll remind you how obsessing on details is far from bothersome!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: About his book, Better Decision, Faster More about his process to drive purposeful action called the, "Head + Heart = Hands Equation."   How you can apply the Head-Heart-Hands Equation to help you as a leader. How his process can help you become more confident in your decision-making. Some common themes elite performers and great leaders have in common....

Talking with a man in Erie, Pa. about having his house painted made me angry. He told me the painter pushed back when asked to finish the job correctly because he felt he had not been paid enough to do the job. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you’ll hear my reaction - and it's not pretty!

I don’t work on a whole lot of Request for Proposals, but as I worked through a recent proposal, my words kept drifting back to the same thing; implementation. In this Pocket Sized Pep talk, you’ll understand why I tend to get a bit carried away with this word!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: How Scott single-handedly changed the term “value added” in the financial industry by creating presentations and programs that provided a dramatic shift to how all supporting companies added value to their relationships. Some of the strengths Scott brings with on stage. Tips on how to get out of the box and be truly creative when you speak. Examples of...

Another Father’s Day has come and gone, and I find myself thinking of my father who is no longer with us. In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll tell you a bit about him. Maybe it will allow you to reflect on your father or someone you love.

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: How women have been taught to show up in the workplace, and things we need to unlearn here.   Boundaries, and lessons learned from the, "Me Too" movement.   With 49% of new businesses started by woman, and some of the balance issues that need to be navigated.  The challenge many women have struggling to let go and trust men. The challenges found when wo...

I was raised hearing these words: “Good is not good enough.” In this Pocket Sized Pep Talks, we'll carve into that old saying, because I understand the sentiment, and I agree with intent, but sometimes, I think there are exceptions!