By Hall of Fame Speaker Connie Podesta Change is tough. Change on a global scale that has literally hit home and business in every conceivable way? Can stop people – teams – and companies in their tracks. So, how do we get people to lean into their inherent resilience? To get out of fear that is playing in their heads and back to leading, servicing, connecting, selling, and communicating in new and adaptive ways? We add a little psychology into the mix. We teach them that change is what we do – and do well – as human beings. We gift them with tools and insights and strategies that Read More
Pandemic Fatigue and Your Team
Pandemic Fatigue and Your Team
By Hall of Fame Speaker Connie Podesta Johns Hopkins. UCLA Health. Psychology Today. World Health Organization. Just about every mental health professional in the world right now is helping people navigate Pandemic Fatigue. It’s real. It’s draining. And it is likely to be around for a while. As leaders, now is the time to be proactive about fueling your team’s mental well being with empowering tools, training, support systems – and a little levity. Gagandeep Singh, MD, a psychiatrist at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital in Scottsdale says, “A good laugh can help lighten the mood Read More
Creating an Incredible Virtual Experience
Creating an Incredible Virtual Experience
By Connie Podesta, CSP, CPAE, Hall of Fame Speaker When a pandemic forced event planners and leaders to cancel all live events almost overnight, it was hard to even imagine what the future would look like. I totally get it. As someone who makes a living speaking to conventions packed with hundreds and thousands of people, often shoulder- to-shoulder, I feel your pain, and your frustration. Social distancing has seriously thrown a big global wrench into all our calendars. The big question for most became – “Now what?” Lockdowns, shelters-in-place, and shuttered stages aside, what hasn’t Read More
Six Dare to Be Different Tips for Speakers
Six Dare to Be Different Tips for Speakers
How to Give a STANDOUT Presentation by Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta Believe it or not, after more than 30 years in this business, speaking to more than 60,000 people a year, I still get nervous. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. (How many of you feel the same?) I always want to have that little fear-factor edge that keeps me on my toes and never lets me take my job or my audiences for granted. But, I have learned to conquer the major fears and keep cool, calm and collected. Stage fright is just part of it though – right? You may be worried about your message. Will it hit Read More
Quit Being a Victim
Quit Being a Victim
By Connie Podesta, Hall of Fame Speaker Straight talk? If you’re 25, 65+ years old or anywhere in between and you’re still blaming your parents for a few (or many) things you believe are responsible for the condition of your life right now – then you’re totally on the wrong path. Now I’m not saying to discount any negative childhood messages or experiences. I’m definitely 100% an advocate for children who’ve been through trauma and I know what that means moving into adulthood. What I am saying is that when you reach the age of adulthood, it’s time to use your awareness of what you’ve been Read More
Quit Underestimating the Importance of Childhood Messages
Quit Underestimating the Importance of Childhood Messages
By Human Behavior Expert & Hall of Fame Speaker Connie Podesta Straight talk? If you’re 25, 65+ years old or anywhere in between and you’re still blaming your parents for a few (or many) things you believe are responsible for the condition of your life right now – then you’re totally on the wrong path. Now I’m not saying to discount any negative childhood messages or experiences. I’m definitely 100% an advocate for children who’ve been through trauma and I know what that means moving into adulthood. What I am saying is that when you reach the age of adulthood, it’s time to use your Read More
Quit Leading Everyone the Same Way
Quit Leading Everyone the Same Way
By Hall of Fame Speaker, Award Winning Author. Connie Podesta, CSP, CPAE As an expert in the psychology of human behavior, I know that personalities are at the absolute deepest root of everything we do or say or think. Our personalities drive how we deal with other people, interact with them, motivate them, communicate with them, and negotiate with them. And yet, leaders often don’t factor in personalities on the journey toward career advancement. For one thing, many leaders subscribe to the “golden rule” that says we should treat others the way we want to be treated. That sounds kind Read More
Quit Underestimating Word of Mouth Marketing
Quit Underestimating Word of Mouth Marketing
By Sales Keynote Speaker and Human Behavior Expert Connie Podesta Word of mouth marketing is EVERYTHING. Why? Because it’s personal. It’s another human being putting their stamp of approval and trustworthiness on what you do – and then sharing why you’re the person to call with someone else! That’s powerful, especially in today’s world. It is true for almost every industry – doctors, lawyers, restaurants, salons, spas, real estate agents – you name it. It’s exceptionally important for salespeople. Many get into the mindset that they are in the business of whatever their product Read More
Quit Accepting Yourself as You Are
Quit Accepting Yourself as You Are
By Motivational Speaker Connie Podesta I know, I know. As a motivational keynote speaker, I can’t tell you how many times I hear the battle cry, “Just be YOU! Don’t change! You’re enough!” And yet, here’s my question: How's that REALLY working for you? Be honest now. Got the house you want? Car you want? Partner you want? Wealth you want? Body you want? Job you want? Happiness you want? Health you want? Peace you want? Confidence you want? Success you want? Then maybe – when it comes to getting what you want – just being YOU isn’t enough after all. Listen, I’m all about being your own Read More
Don’t Hire Another Outside Speaker … Until You Read This
Don’t Hire Another Outside Speaker … Until You Read This
A Just Ask Connie Blog "Why waste money on outside speakers …" the email began. "What our team really needs is to hear from our own internal leadership team. An outside speaker doesn’t even understand our unique business." Not the first time I’ve heard those words. My response? Is usually, "Really? Let’s dig a little deeper and break those theories down a bit." First, "Why waste money?" You know, that’s a legitimate question and money can be misspent if… A: You hire the WRONG speaker. You know the drill. It’s time to choose a speaker but it’s "decision by committee" – and there’s Read More