By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta So what's the deal with not wearing watches these days? Look around. Half the population have left their watches in a drawer at home just waiting to be used again. In fact, to some people, wearing a watch has become a sign of old age. An antiquated accessory (or so goes the myth) no longer necessary since the iPhone came into play. Well think again. When asked the time I can, with a flick of my wrist and a quick eye glance, answer before someone with a phone can even begin to find it, turn it on, get lost in Facebook distractions, and deliver Read More
How to Stand Out From the Crowd
And Why That’s More Important Than EVER By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta I always tell my audiences, "If there was ever a time to differentiate yourself and Stand Out From The Crowd--it is NOW! Business as usual is over!" Bottom line: To rise to the top and stay there as an organization you must be able to answer this #1 question: "What do you bring to the table that is so unique, outstanding, so UNEXPECTEDLY awesome--that people would CHOOSE to do business with you, partner with you, buy from you, and trust you - rather than someone else?” Because the truth is Read More
Solving the People Puzzle
Understanding What Makes People Tick is #1 Key to Success by Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta So here's what I hear all the time in the phone from potential clients, "To be honest Connie, I don't get it! Why does my audience need an expert in psychology? We're going through a lot of (Fill in the blank: Stress. Change. Upheaval. Downsizing. New leadership. Etc. etc.) We need a speaker who can increase our: (Fill in the blank: Sales. Profits. Market Share. Productivity. Leadership. Etc. etc.) Just how can psychology help all that?" My response? "I don't get it either. How Read More
6 Secrets to Creating a Powerful, Personalized Presentation with LASTING Impact
Why Cookie Cutter Content Doesn’t Work By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta After more than twenty five years of delivering keynotes, facilitating events, and acting as the master of ceremonies for organizations all over the globe, one thing is for sure – there’s not much I haven’t seen, or heard from the stage. Here’s what I know doesn’t work – DOESN’T create lasting impact or positive change: tired, canned speeches that don't relate to YOUR specific audience. You know the ones. Where the person behind the microphone is referencing age-old technology or telling the same Read More
It’s the WHY That Makes All the Difference
Taking Your Message Beyond Just the What and How By Leadership and Sales Speaker Connie Podesta After more than 25 years in the speaking industry this is clearer to me than ever: audiences truly WANT to learn -- IF what they are learning is relevant to them NOW and can be used immediately to improve their life. Fortunately my experience and psychology background has also given me a clear understanding of just what has to happen between a speaker and their audience to create that sense of relevancy and willingness to change. Attitudes. Perceptions. Beliefs. Behaviors. It's a three-step Read More
Life (and Learning) is Better When You’re Laughing
Why I Use Humor to Help Connect Audiences With Ideas By Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta Anyone who’s ever been in one of my audiences or heard me keynote an event knows that I’m kind of a no-nonsense kind of speaker. I cut to the chase. I leave the ‘rah-rah’ stuff to someone else. In today’s world, people need serious strategies, solutions they can count on, skills that are scalable – and humor. Lots of humor. Why? Because we learn better when we relax a little. We listen in when we’re not completely bombarded with some of the overwhelming tasks before us. We engage more with Read More
How You Approach Work Makes All the Difference in the World!
The Difference Between a Calling, a Career, and "Just a Job" By Business Motivational Keynote Speaker and Human Behavior expert Connie Podesta After speaking to and interviewing thousands of people throughout my career, it became very apparent to me that individuals basically approach their life’s work in one of three ways. Take a peek at each three descriptions and see which one DESCRIBES YOU the best. A Calling. Do you have an absolute innate gift for what you do? You know – where you have that feeling that you were born to do whatever it is you do. Selling. Teaching. Planning. Read More
Rah Rah Or REAL Results?
What's Changing for Event Planners and Audiences? by Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta When people ask me if I am a Motivational Speaker I always answer that I definitely motivate audiences to stand up and be accountable. Be proactive. Deal with change. Increase their sales. Rev up performance. Attract more customers. Lead with integrity. Collaborate more. And be a role model. But I am definitely NOT a “rah-rah, dream your dream, you can have whatever you want with the right attitude” kind of speaker. Why? One, because that type of motivation is not long-lasting. It's a quick fix in a Read More
Like It or Not: You ARE a Leader
Leadership Perceptions De-Bunked By Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta Bottom line? YOU ARE A LEADER. All the time. Whether you’re at work or at home. Employed or stay at home parent. Paid job or volunteer. Willing or unwilling. Honestly? It doesn’t make any difference what you do or choose not do. Even if you THINK you are a follower and always avoid center stage, you can’t escape the fact that you are ALWAYS in the position to influence other people’s thoughts, actions and attitudes. That’s quite a responsibility. We influence others all the time. By what we say and Read More
How to Turn Limitations Into Strengths
And See Yourself in a Whole New Light by Motivational Keynote Speaker Connie Podesta So it’s a no brainer that we need to leverage our strengths. If…we even know what they are. Unfortunately most people are so focused on what they can’t do or wish they could do, that they don’t even take time to realize what they can bring to the table. So step one. Figure out exactly what it is you do really well. And be proud of it. Let people know about it. Find ways to bring those talents into your job. Your relationships. Your quest for success. Even your health. Here’s a tip: Don‘t Read More