Pocket Sized Pep Talks

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.

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 about saying more… it’s about saying what matters.

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:The current landscape of self-publishing, and how has it evolved over the last few years.Some of the biggest advantages authors gain by choosing to self-publish rather than going the traditional route.What kind of costs should a first-time author expect when self-publishing a professional-quality book.Some common mistakes or pitfalls that new self-publishing authors should look out for; things that could sabotage their efforts or waste money.How important professional editing and design in the self-publishing world, and what should authors budget or look for when hiring those services.How much of the promotion rests on the author’s shoulders, and what strategies actually move the needle.Artificial Intelligence's role in publishing; the good and the bad.To learn more about this guest:mjmillerbooks@gmail.comhttps://www.authormjmiller.com 

When was the last time you got into a supermarket checkout line for customers with “fewer items,” and you got stuck behind someone who apparently could not count? In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk I'll remind that, while fuming, you may have encountered a business and leadership lesson you’ll want to remember!

In this Pocket Sized PepTalk, you'll learn:Various techniques of interviewing along with multiple approaches to questioning.Techniques David found most effective for building trust quickly.What role listening plays in uncovering a deeper story, and how that parallels with what a good salesperson should be doing.As a journalist, how you read the emotional landscape of a conversation and decide how far you could push a question through an interpreter.What role does curiosity plays in getting a good story and how might salespeople use authentic curiosity as a tool.David's crossover from a business author to a fiction author with your new book, The Interpreter, and what made him want to write a fiction novel.How this idea of 'interpreting' apply to what salespeople and entrepreneurs do when they’re translating customer needs into solutions.To learn more about this guest:dshipler@comcast.net

During a recent trip to a driving range, I was reminded of the most fundamental lesson involved in learning any new skill, and one that ultimately decides whether you’ll be good, or great, at any task that requires a process. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk I’ll tell you what that lesson is, and how to make that lesson work for you!

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:More about this moment Jenn was let go, and how it changed her trajectory. How common this type of experience is among leaders today.Why we normalize dysfunction.The hidden cost of over-functioning leaders. Why so many high-achievers fall into this trap, and the first step to breaking free from it.How avoiding conflict can manufacture a fake peace. How you convince skeptical leaders that play isn’t just a distraction but a driver of productivity.Something a struggling leader can do today to start reclaiming joy at work. To learn more about this guest:jenn@jennwhitmer.comhttps://jennwhitmer.com