Pocket Sized Pep Talks

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 your audience, keeping their attention, and sticking the landing? In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll take that old-school model, shake it up, and show you what truly separates forgettable presentations from the ones that win trust, drive action, and leave a lasting impression.

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 why “getting away with it” was part of this title and content.Delivering bad news is part of a manager’s job, not a failure. Mahesh discusses how leaders shift their mindset to see these moments as opportunities rather than setbacks.How detecting early warning signs before bad news becomes unavoidable is critical, and what some of those warning signs would be.If you left with just one thing, what one idea to walk away with and implement would be.The impact Stephen King’s storytelling had on Manesh's writing style. To learn more about this guest:GUEST EMAIL mahesh.gkumar@gmail.comGUEST WEBSITE: maheshguruswamy.comSOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshguruswamy/https://x.com/mahesh_gkumarhttps://maheshguruswamy.substack.com/

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 me: we’re not just talking about beer; we’re talking about branding, clarity, and how we present ourselves or our products. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share what a confusing beer list can teach us about how not to sell, and why mystery may be fun in fiction but dangerous in business.

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 explanation for the concept of “human calming” and why it’s essential given the rise of AI in the workplace.How leaders who feel overwhelmed by emerging tech, can shift their mindset right now.How we can avoid getting too dependent on AI?To learn more about these guests:Bob LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-johansen/Jeremy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-kirshbaum-6294b01a1/Gabe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-cervantes-ab147338/

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 unstoppable progress. Whether you’re trying to write a book, launch a project, or finally commit to a habit, it all starts with momentum.

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 amplify your point.How to make your point stronger in an email.A discussion on how to “Hook Audiences” and “End with the point.”How to make your point stronger on a slide so it will pass, as I call it, "The Joel Test!"How entrepreneurs and sales leaders can use AI to sharpen their points without losing authenticity.To learn more about this guest:Website:      www.joelschwartzberg.netLinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelschwartzberg/

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 actually the secret ingredient to looking effortless.

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 create stronger customer relationships.What’s changed about how we ask and listen in the era of remote and hybrid work—and how to turn Zoom into an advantage, not a limitation.A behind-the-scenes look at what Peter learned from working with his father, renowned organizational psychologist Edgar Schein—and how that experience shaped his own leadership and thinking.To learn more about this guest:peter@ocli.org

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 balance between small talk and substance, and avoid the awkward guesswork that can stall a conversation before it starts.

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; it’s strategic. And how three simple words, "Ask Me About…" might just be your most powerful motivator.