Pocket Sized Pep Talks

Self-deprecating humor can be charming in a conversation or a date, but on stage, in front of an audience? It might be doing more harm than good. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll explore why joking about your own skills or value at the start of a presentation doesn’t win over an audience, it undermines their confidence in you. You'll hear why this common tactic backfires, and what to do instead if you want to connect, not deflect.

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk, you'll learn:The definition of “Organizational ReWilding®.” How someone in sales can rewild his or her own approach to become more aligned with how businesses actually evolve.How Matt went from data analytics and later applied the Stages of Growth methodology to dramatically increase his company’s value.The biggest mindset shift Matt went through to move from analysis to action.The seven Stages of Growth that organizations go through. How understanding where a company is in this growth cycle can help a salesperson tailor their message or value proposition more effectively.How this framework helps salespeople position themselves as strategic partners, especially when selling into early-stage companies.An example where a salesperson completely missed the mark because they didn’t understand the stage of the company they were selling to.Two principles from The Start-Up Stage that every salesperson or entrepreneur, regardless of their own company’s size, should absorb and apply right now.To Learn More About This Guest:www.rewildgroup.com 

In this Pocket Sized Pep Talk you'll learn:- Why self-belief sets the foundation for being believed by others- How your imperfections can actually build trust, not diminish it- What “tuning” your message with pitch, pace, and pause can do- How to step into the mindset and body language of believability

You'll learn:Why consistency matters more than clever policyWhat not to say when dealing with a disappointed customerHow small failures can lead to big losses in customer trust

Did you hear that? A shiny new Business Model is making the rounds complete with a clever acronym and bold promises of transformation. But before you chase it down, you might want to pump the brakes. In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll unpack the predictable rise and fall of business models, and why most don’t fail because of bad design; they fail because of weak implementation. I’ll also share a model of my own (yes, it even spells something!) to help you protect your investment, build a real cultural shift, and make sure the model you choose actually sticks.

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.