Pocket Sized Pep Talks

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: How this topic and book found this author. What exactly is a High Emotional Bank Account. The importance of self image and how self-image is more important than external validation. What emotional currency is and what role emotional currency plays in how we respond to failure and adversity. How someone can rebuild their emotional bank account after trau...

We’ve all had it happen: you write something that feels perfectly harmless, but the other person takes it the wrong way. A few misplaced words, or more accurately, a missing tune can completely change how your message lands. That difference between what we mean and what’s heard can make or break our communication. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share a personal story that h...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: How an engineer does a 180 and becomes a motivational speaker and coach! When Lasada realized “common sense” alone wasn’t enough, and that he needed to create an actual framework. One of Lasada's principles is about putting principles before profits and he'll discuss why. What this looks like for someone trying to balance ambition with integrity today....

Self-deprecating humor can be charming in a conversation or a date, but on stage, in front of an audience? It might be doing more harm than good. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll explore why joking about your own skills or value at the start of a presentation doesn’t win over an audience, it undermines their confidence in you. You'll hear why this common tactic backfires, and...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: The definition of “Organizational ReWilding®.”  How someone in sales can rewild his or her own approach to become more aligned with how businesses actually evolve. How Matt went from data analytics and later applied the Stages of Growth methodology to dramatically increase his company’s value. The biggest mindset shift Matt went through to move from ana...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk you'll learn: - Why self-belief sets the foundation for being believed by others - How your imperfections can actually build trust, not diminish it - What “tuning” your message with pitch, pace, and pause can do - How to step into the mindset and body language of believability

You'll learn: Why consistency matters more than clever policy What not to say when dealing with a disappointed customer How small failures can lead to big losses in customer trust

Did you hear that? A shiny new Business Model is making the rounds complete with a clever acronym and bold promises of transformation. But before you chase it down, you might want to pump the brakes. In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll unpack the predictable rise and fall of business models, and why most don’t fail because of bad design; they fail because of weak implementation....

We’re often told to “find the right words” if we want to make an impact. But what if the words aren’t the problem? In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll share with you the surprising origin of my book Why People Don’t Believe You. It's a journey that started not in a boardroom, but in a church basement with a group of job seekers. Along the way, he explores a lesson many communicat...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: What inspired Pat to write Obstacles to Opportunity and why now. We all learn lessons on our journeys, and some we learn the hard way.  Pat shares leadership lessons you learned the hard way. Pat's 3Cs Process and how it leads to more decisive action. A byproduct of growth is often chaos.  Pat discusses the first thing a leader should do to prepare, or...

We often judge success by what shows up in the bucket; trophies, numbers, deals closed. But what if fulfillment comes from something far less measurable… and far more personal? In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll share a lesson from an unlikely teacher: a fisherman on the banks of the Potomac. It’s a story about redefining success, not by what others expect to see, but by the jo...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: Confidence is a skill, not a trait.  Simone walks us through the REAL Method and how it came to life. How to feel ready to go, and respect yourself when you don’t feel confident.  How to embrace failure and use it to build confidence.  A classic myth about high achievers, and confidence. One small, doable action someone can take today to start building...

Audience questions are usually a welcome sign—they show interest, engagement, and curiosity. But sometimes, even a well-meaning question can throw a presentation off track… and it’s rarely about the content. What if the real problem isn’t what they ask, but when they ask it? In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll show you how to handle mid-presentation questions without losing cont...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: As former President and CEO of Huthwiate, John's interesting connection to the company and Neil Rackham. John's shaping of Pipeliner’s strategic direction and some of the changes he's noticed in the 11 years he's been there?   In  Winning the Battle for Sales , some of the key lessons drawn from some of history’s greatest military victories.  Many peopl...

Have you ever been told the golden rule of presentations is to “Tell ‘em what you’re gonna tell ‘em, tell ‘em, then tell ‘em what you told ‘em”? It sounds solid, and it can work... but it’s been riding on its reputation since high school speech class. What if that model, in its simplicity, has been holding your presentations back? What if what you really need is a better blueprint for engaging you...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talks, you'll learn: Why avoiding discomfort does more damage than the truth ever could. How to deliver tough messages with empathy, not ego. The mindset shift that turns hard talks into moments of leadership. The particular moment or conversation that inspired Mahesh to write this book. The title is bold —  How to Deliver Bad News and Get Away with It . Mahesh explains wh...

Have you ever worked with someone who, when asked what they actually do, gives you a vague, jargon-filled answer that leaves you more confused than when you started? I went out for a relaxing dinner with my wife, and all I wanted was a familiar, satisfying beer. What I got instead was a long list of cryptically named IPAs and a server who couldn’t explain a single one of them. That’s when it hit m...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: What prompted the third edition now. What challenges  leaders face when trying to adapt to AI-driven environments.   Where should we place our attention.   An explanation of ‘futureback thinking’ and why it effectively develops leadership skills. How entrepreneurs and sales leaders can use AI to sharpen their points without losing authenticity.  An expl...

We all have goals; some ambitious, and some overdue. But too often, we stay stuck at the starting line, not from lack of desire, but from lack of momentum. Not the physics-class kind… the emotional kind. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, we’ll explore the powerful force of emotional momentum; what it is, why it matters, and how taking even one small step can spark a wave of unstopp...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: What prompted the second edition to the book. By definition, what is a point, and how has the "point" concept evolved since 2017? Applicable strategies on conquering public speaking jitters, which could certainly impact your point, and one small tweak speakers or salespeople can make to feel more confident on Zoom or in front of clients. Some tactics to...

Have you ever been told, “You make it look so easy” and smiled, knowing just how much work went on behind the scenes? Whether you speak, sell, build, bake, or lead, making something look effortless is often the toughest part of the job. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll show you the three behind-the-scenes habits that turn hard work into smooth performance, and how effort is a...

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn: Why the simple act of asking questions and listening well is often misunderstood—and even more often, poorly executed. The biggest misconception leaders have about listening, and how it limits their ability to build trust and influence. How the practice of Humble Inquiry can help sales professionals uncover real pain points, hidden objections, and creat...

Ever find yourself wondering how much chit-chat is too much before getting down to business? If you’re in sales or consulting, you've probably asked, or been asked, this classic question: How long do you schmooze for? It's simple to ask, but tricky to answer… unless you know what to look for. In this five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share a clever way to read the room, strike the right bala...

Have you ever noticed how we tend to go quiet when we’re gearing up for something big, something that takes real courage? It’s instinctive to hide those goals, just in case we fall short. But what if sharing our courageous pursuits actually gave us the edge we need to succeed? In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll show you why going public with your personal challenge isn’t risky;...

Have you ever felt like your brilliant idea was met with blank stares, or worse: polite nods and no follow-up? You’re not alone. Too often, we equate persuasion with talking... a lot. But being persuasive has far less to do with volume, and far more to do with value. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll walk you through the art of delivering your spiel the right way. It’s not abo...