Chris Bashinelli describes the importance of tying our purpose into a purpose that is greater than ourselves.
It's not about working harder. It's about working smarter. I'm going to propose an idea: take five focused minutes at the beginning of each day. Sit down at your computer before you start working. Sit down and breathe. Close your eyes if possible, and see what ideas come to you. Rather than going with that initial urge to check email, to respond to text messages, allow some space and ask yourself, “What is the most important thing I have to do today?”. Or perhaps don't ask yourself anything, just allow the space to be there. That space will translate in the next few minutes to the most important task that you have to complete that day. Or maybe it will arise in the form of a new idea.
This is called mindfulness and it can be incredibly beneficial during our work lives. According to an article in Mindful.org, “at times of excessive pressure at work, practicing a short mindfulness exercise can be a savior.” Most find the slow-down a struggle but it can lead to incredible results in our day-to-day lives. The more you do, the easier it will be.
Slow down, be mindful for new ideas
It's easy to keep yourself busy. It's easy to work 10 or 12 hours a day. It's easy, but perhaps it's not the wisest thing to do. What's wiser is to give yourself some space in your life where you can allow new ideas to come, where you can allow your creative expression to come through. Some of the greatest ideas I've had, some of the greatest exercises, some of the greatest stories haven't come when I'm sitting down at my desk writing and responding to emails. They've actually come after I finish eating breakfast or when I'm out for a hike allowing what I've been focusing on and thinking about, to bubble to the surface with a new idea.
If we're always busying ourselves we will never actually be aware of that bubble when it pops to the surface. To be aware of that idea and aware of that bubble, we have to create mindful space in our work-life, where we can allow those ideas to surface. It can lead to greater results than you thought possible.
Did you know that every conscious decision that has ever been made has been made at least twice?
As humans - the first thing we do, before choosing to take an action, is to visualize ourselves completing that action. We take the time for a hypothetical run through in our minds eye. And only once we can see ourselves doing something, do we then actually choose to move forward with that action.
This means that if you want more people to take action, then your ability to have them see themselves taking that action, prior to you inviting them to take that action, will enhance their choosing to respond positively to the ask.
We are talking about allowing others to paint pictures in their own minds and insert these images into their memory. This is content creation for the human mind.
Watch Phil discuss this idea at a recent event:
Influence in making easier decisions
Content creation holds huge value in the world of marketing, yet the most powerful tool for content creation is in the minds of the people you are looking to influence. The human brain is an incredibly powerful "search engine" and by feeding it with quality content - the more likely this content will be recalled when decisions need to be made.
Leaders, sales professionals and entrepreneurs are all in the business of influencing others and an often overlooked area of influence is our ability to support others in their decision making process. Taking the time to allow others to see themselves in situations that are the result of their action or inaction is a fabulous tool to encourage them to choose that very action.
There are really only three types of situations that you should look to have someone see themselves in that will assist them to do as you are asking:
- Moving towards something that will make them more comfortable
- Moving away from something that makes them uncomfortable
- Achieving something that makes their heart sing
Your tool for creating these images in the minds of others are your conversations and quite often it's the quality, and not the quantity of these conversations that has the greatest impact on your results.
Put simply - the difference between you winning and losing could be knowing Exactly What to Say, when to say it and how to make it count.
When you can reach for the right words, at the right time you are far more likely to achieve the right result.
Changing your words can very easily change your world.
Keynote Speaker Phil M Jones describes how using the magic words from his bestselling book, Exactly What to Say, can help you sell more and help you lead your clients to better decisions. Phil speaks on topics such as Leadership, Customer Service, Sales and Marketing, Business Growth, Engagement and Performance.
This time of year, many organizations are planning their 2020 sales kickoff events! Hiring a great sales keynote speaker can help you maximize the impact of your event and motivate your sales team to create breakthroughs and bottom line results.
What are some common denominators of the world’s best Sales Keynote Speakers? Let’s take a look…
- High Energy: Sales audiences include lightning-fast thinkers and a slow-moving keynote just won’t cut it. Look for speakers who can energize an audience with quick wit, a command of the stage, and action-packed content.
- All About the Audience: I’ve seen a LOT of speakers in my time, the ones that truly light up the sales stage are the ones that are way less worried about slides or even microphones. They’re all about ensuring that they are connecting with every member of their audience in profound ways. They get participants on their feet and totally engaged – and it is pure magic to watch!
- They Understand Sales: While I don’t believe a great sales keynote speaker necessarily has to have an all sales background, they do have to understand what sales professionals need in terms of mindsets and skill sets to succeed in today’s changing world. Look for a speaker who digs deep into what specific challenges your sales team is facing so they can offer timely and effective solutions.
- They Entertain. Sales audiences want to laugh while they learn. They want solid content with a side of humor and heart. The best sales keynote speakers I’ve ever seen have the ability to have their audiences laughing out loud while creating those light-bulb moments of clarity.
- They’re Easy to Work With. I think the days of “diva speakers” is behind us. Our clients tell us that our speakers are some of the easiest going, most adaptable, eager to do whatever it takes speakers in the business. That makes us incredibly proud. When you work with high-integrity, down-to-earth, passionate people – you expect nothing less!
Helping organizations develop and utilize the best-in-business practices and innovative strategies is what you can trust from cmi speaker management’s sales and marketing keynote speakers. With expert ideas, savvy solutions, and top-tier tools – these speakers deliver exactly what audiences need to drive sales production and craft next-level marketing for their companies.
If you’re planning a sales kickoff event in 2020, give us call. We’ve got a shortlist of keynote speakers who would be perfect to both wow your crowd and send your sales through the room – all while making your job and life easier! How’s that for a trifecta? Let us help you have your best conference ever!
In Mike’s brand new keynote,“Become A Virtuoso,” your teams will receive the vision, mindset and daily practices that will make them world class, high performing teams…their personal best in both career and life. And the inspiration to act on it!
In “Become A Virtuoso” your teams will not only learn and make this decision, they will gain the vision, mindset and daily practices it takes to become world class performers.
We love our keynote speakers for their talent, passion, charisma, and cool – but mostly for the incredible way they are able to motivate audiences to take empowered, results-producing ACTION. That’s why my team and I had a little fun rounding up some of our favorite quotes from these extraordinary keynote speakers. We thought it might inspire you as you’re choosing who to hire for your 2020 events!
The Best Quotes From Our Motivational Keynote Speakers
Mike Rayburn: Mike is a TEDx Presenter who teaches innovation, change and peak performance using world-class guitar and humor to create a transformational experience and generate exponential results. As a keynote speaker, has headlined Carnegie Hall, Las Vegas, and performed more than 5,000 presentations in 20 countries on five continents.
- “Create change – don’t just manage it.“
- “It’s not about being good at everything; it’s about being GREAT at the most important things. Coasting only happens downhill.”
Vinh Giang: As an experienced keynote speaker, Vinh knows that what transpires on stage is not about him. It’s 100% about the audience. It’s about the life-changing lessons he’s been so fortunate to learn along the way and sharing them in a manner that transforms people. That’s where magic happens.
- “You’re only as good as you can communicate.”
- “Innovation is just composition. It’s two perspectives that have never come together before. Collaboration is power. Perspective is power.”
Dan Thurmon: A hall of fame motivational keynote speaker, teacher of peak performance, an author of impactful books and presentations, and a lifelong student of success, happiness, and achievement, Dan Thurmon is on a mission. His purpose? To encourage attendees’ uniqueness and contributions. To discover a sense of purpose and greatness. To have meaning at work, and in their lives.
- “If you think what you are doing now is difficult, it’s time to try something harder.”
- “You’ll never achieve balance. So instead, live “off balance on purpose.”
Chris Bashinelli: Chris’s unique approach to “Global Citizenship” empowers attendees to restructure the way they view the world — beginning with themselves. Chris encourages each of us to realize our full potential, thereby becoming inspired members of our families, our organizations and ultimately our world. He reminds us how important it is to step outside of our comfort zones, be fearlessly honest and put others first.
- “When we're committed to a mission that is beyond ourselves, then it doesn't matter what happens to us, it doesn't matter what challenge comes our way, because that becomes fuel for us on our path and makes us stronger.”
- “A leader's role, especially when leading a team where some members are remote, is to build meaningful connections that engage and motivate people.”
Clint Pulver: Known as a leading keynote speaker on employee retention, Clint helps organizations retain, engage, and inspire their team members from the front desk to the board rooms and everyone in between. He expertly helps audiences navigate generational complexities, communication challenges, leadership missteps, and culture cues.
- “People are people. When we throw away the stereotype, when we throw away the age, when we get to the part about them, they get to the part about you. When we remember people, people remember us.”
- “It all just comes down to human connection. It comes down to treating people like people, making sure people are seen, heard, and understood.”
Need A Motivational Keynote Speaker For 2020?
This was a fun dive into the powerful messages some of our motivational keynote speakers share with their audiences. If you’re looking for speakers to elevate your next audience experience with insights, energy, and high-impact content, give us a call. We’ll find the perfect fit for you!
What can we learn from the famous United incident with David Dow? Mike Walsh clarifies why we need ethics in our digital AI world .
As leaders, we want our organization to thrive. We want growth, profits, success, and impact. We want to make a difference and maybe even change the world. But the truth of the matter is—we can’t achieve any of that on our own. Those things don’t come from you or me. They come from individuals who are excited to take our lead and run with it. Not simply followers—but followers who become future leaders in their own sphere of influence.
The foundational role of a leader is to make themselves less necessary.
This statement may seem counterintuitive to you, and it may even hit your ego a bit, but it is the truth. Often as leaders, it is difficult for us to allow others to grow because it attacks our own insecurities. Instead, we continue doing what we have always done, and settle for leading those who are simply willing to follow. The problem with allowing our ego to take the lead is that in doing so, our ego is fighting what we actually desire.
As leaders, we want our organization to thrive. We want growth, profits, success, and impact. We want to make a difference and maybe even change the world. But the truth of the matter is—we can’t achieve any of that on our own. Those things don’t come from you or me. They come from individuals who are excited to take our lead and run with it. Not simply followers—but followers who become leaders in their own sphere of influence.
Your greatest success as a leader will come from mentoring future leaders.
Ralph Nader said it well: “The function of leadership is to produce other leaders, not other followers.”
That’s the goal.
And that is what we should all be working towards as leaders.
Mentoring Future Leaders Builds a Legacy
Our history is filled with stories of great leaders whose influence has spanned the ages—not just because of their own efforts, but because their own efforts significantly impacted others who carried on their legacy.
Smokey Robinson is one of those leaders.
Bob Dylan once called Smokey Robinson, “America’s greatest living poet.”
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, William “Smokey” Robinson founded a vocal rhythm and blues group known as, The Miracles, while still in high school. A few years after they were formed, the group began writing songs with an up-and-coming writer and producer, Barry Gordy. Barry was still young and poor, but he had talent and Smokey saw potential in him. Through Smokey’s encouragement, and with borrowed money, Barry Gordy started an R&B label that would later be known as Motown Records—The Miracles were the first group he added to his label.
Barry Gordy was just one of many who benefitted from Smokey Robinson’s ability to see potential and encourage people to rise up to meet that potential. He was the best kind of leader, because he saw the strengths of others and encouraged them to use those strengths to be their own kind of leader. But Smokey’s influence as a leader wasn’t just in his acts of encouragement—it was in his music.
Robinson’s career as a singer-songwriter spans more than four decades, with hits that were not only great to listen to, but were influential to the music industry, and the future of R&B, pop, and rock ‘n roll. “Shop Around” became Motown’s first #1 hit on the R&B charts, followed by other great songs such as “You’ve Really Got A Hold on Me,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Going To The Go-Go,” and “Tears of A Clown.”
The Miracles dominated the R&B charts through the sixties and seventies, and hundreds of thousands of people were influenced by their music all over the world. In the eighties, after a successful career with his legendary vocal group, Smokey Robinson turned to a solo career where he performed new hits, including, “Just To See Her,” “Quiet Storm,” “Cruisin,” and “Being With You.”
Over the course of his music career, Smokey Robinson has been inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame and The Song-Writers Hall of Fame. He has received The Grammy Living Legend Award, honorary doctorates, and awards from Presidents. But the award that sums up Smokey Robinson best is the Q Award, which is given for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Without Smokey Robinson, the course of twentieth-century music would be drastically different.
Smokey’s voice and hits have inspired artists since the 1960s. In fact, to show their respect, The Beatles covered Smokey’s song, “You’ve Really Got A Hold on Me.” Even this legendary rock ‘n roll band—leaders in their own right—followed the lead of Smokey Robinson, who was a legend himself.
As a song-writer, Smokey Robinson has over 4000 song credits to his name. He has written songs for The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and others. As he served as Vice President of Motown Records, Smokey mentored and produced some of the greatest artists of all time—The Jackson Five, Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.
Smokey’s influence goes way beyond his own music and the encouragement he gave a young Barry Gordy. He helped shape many other performers and turned them into legends themselves. His ability made a name for himself, but his mentoring made an impact on the world.
What Makes Mentoring Effective?
Mentorship is about legacy. That is the long-term goal. But even in the here-and-now, mentoring future leaders is valuable and significant—it’s about productivity and effectiveness. The word mentor comes from Greek Origin. It was originally used in the Odyssey where Odysseus asked his friend (Mentor) to take care of his son and “raise him up” while he was away for three years at war. Your job is to raise up your team because the more capable your team becomes, the more they can achieve. And the more they are able to achieve, the more successful your organization will be.
Great leaders recognize that their own reach is limited, but their influence and reach is extended through their team. They understand that it is part of their role to develop a greater capacity in those who they have charge over—because while increasing the capacity of others, they are ultimately increasing their own. They earnestly strive to build a leadership mentality where they seek to instill within their people the very qualities that will one day make them great. In essence, they put every effort into consistently making their people better.
In my experience, I have found that there are many leaders who believe in mentoring and creating new leaders. If you are reading this article, I would like to assume that you do too. The challenge you may have is how to effectively do this on a day-to-day basis, with all the tasks you already have on your to-do list, and the diversity of characteristics, strengths, and unique personalities on your team.
Creating new leaders needs to be intentional and strategic. Stepping into the role of a mentor is a step that many leaders don’t take and their leadership reach and impact is limited because of it. Legacy comes as a result of consistent, daily mentoring where a leader takes their team from good to great. That is the pinnacle of leadership and what we should all be working toward in our leadership pursuit.
Keynote Speaker Ty Bennett explains why leaders need to think about the people that are following them. Ty is a top global thought leader that speaks on topics such as Leadership, Technology, Sales and Marketing, Business Growth, Engagement, Culture, Customer Service, Performance, Collaboration and Communication.
