Pocket Sized Pep Talks

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 communicators and creators learn the hard way: that being believable is about how you say something, not just what you say, and that trying to create something “for everyone” usually ends up helping no one.

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 react to it.One particular leader's story from the book that still sticks with Pat and what can we learn from it.One challenge most leaders underestimate and why it catches them off guard.We all define success our own way.  Pat provides his definition of success  Pat concludes by telling listeners one last thing from this book that we should implement; today!To learn more about this guest:GUEST EMAIL Pat@PatAlacqua.comGUEST WEBSITE:PatAlacqua.comSOCIAL MEDIA:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patalacqua/

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 joy we feel simply doing what we love.

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 REAL confidence?Why small, everyday choices—not grand gestures—can change someone's world around them.For listeners who struggle to see their own value, one simple way to start sharing your story; the messy parts and all!To Learn More About This Guest:https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerSimoneKnegoLinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/simoneknegoYouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@her_unshakeable_confidenceYour Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/her-unshakeable-confidence-podcast/id1667058474Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/simoneknego/

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 control of your message. You’ll learn a simple, classic technique to keep your talk on course while still honoring your audience’s curiosity.

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 people think social selling is just about posting on LinkedIn, but John's argument that it’s much deeper than that. A classic common mistake people make when trying to “sell socially,” and how can they fix itWhat excites John most about where sales technology is heading—and what should sales leaders should be paying attention to now.To Learn More About This Guest:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngolden/ pipelinersales.com (Company)salespop.net (Blog)youtube.com/c/SalesPOP (Sales POP! YouTube Channel)john.golden@pipelinersales.com

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/