ADVANCE: Take Your Next Step with Mike Acker

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 9

Everyone leads because everyone influences those around them. Unfortunately, this means that we are often lead without being aware of where we are going. This is very true when it comes to money. Who is leading you financially? Are you in control of your finances or do your finances control you? Discover financial leadership with bestselling author Rachel Richards.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com)


EPISODE 9 SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS: Financial Leadership with Rachel Richards

 How does Rachel see that what she is doing affects people?

 4:00

Rachel says everyone has a platform, whether you’re an author or an influencer, you are leading, you’re leading by example. With money honey, she started writing it because she used to be a financial advisor. And all her family and friends would come to her for financial advice. So Rachel started writing Honey Money in 2017. She had a crisis about halfway through and she was like “this sucks.” She wondered who was going to listen to her. Rachel wanted to quit writing. The only reason she went through with publishing it is because she told herself that if she can just help one person, that’s all she wanted to do. 

 5:08

Thankfully, Rachel did go through with it because it astonishingly did so well. She has over almost 800 reviews on Amazon now and there’s nothing as impactful as helping others make money and find security. According to Rachel, there’s nothing as rewarding as getting an email from a reader saying, “thank you so much. Your book changed my life. I’ve been able to get out of the paycheck to paycheck, pay off my credit cards.” 

 6:23

 You have to be able to articulate why would someone buy your book or listen to your speech or listen to your podcast over the thousands that are already out there.

 Guidance in managing money

 8:23

 The first step in getting your finances in order is tracking your expenses. That is the first thing you do is you track your expenses for one month. It will be very eye-opening where you’re spending your money. 

 9:50

 The next step is how to increase your savings rate. Rachel asks people if you’re trying to save up money quickly, what sorts of things do you do? If you really want to make an impact with your savings, there’s actually 2 ways to increase your savings rate.

 ●      Decrease your expenses

●      Increase your income

 How you can increase your finances:

...

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 8

The term “impostor syndrome” conveys the sense that others around us and even our environment has more value than we do. We feel like we don’t bring the same value to the table as others do, and that we don’t quite fit in. The core issue is value. Learn how to solve the core of the impostor syndrome with the Ladder of Value by Mike Acker.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 


EPISODE 8 SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS: 
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome with the Ladder of Value by Mike Acker.

Where does value come from?

3:10

The issue of impostor syndrome is ultimately an issue of value.

5 Levels of Value

3:52

1. Value comes from what you own. There is some value in what you own. That value sometimes will open the door for a more valuable exchange.

6:09

2. Where you come from. This is an issue of education. It is an issue of background. 

8:16

3. What you have done? What you have accomplished? 

...

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

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To book Mike Acker to speak to your group or facilitate a specific workshop, email:
[email protected]

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 7

Many people are drawn to leadership and speaking so that they can tell others what to do. But there is a better way to speak and there is a better way to lead.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

EPISODE 7 SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS: Lead and Speak with Questions

2:26

3 questions that need to be asked when you’re preparing any type of update or presentation, speech, report, that you’re giving verbally:

●      Why

●      What

●      Who

2:53 

Why am I saying this? Why does this matter? Make sure that you answer it in a way that connects to the person not just to the product.

3:38

What do you want to say? You need to be thinking through what you’re trying to communicate.

 5:41

 Who are you talking to?

 6:31

Speak with questions. Then you will answer questions that they have instead of questions that they don’t have.

 
3 questions for leading...

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 6

How to ensure that the workplace of today and tomorrow enables individuals, society and the planet the opportunity to thrive? The answers to this question are rooted in compassion and how this question is answered makes a difference… Blaine Bartlett persuades us that it is a difference worth pursuing.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com)


EPISODE 6 SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS 

The Soul Business

3:13

Blain wrote a book called, Compassion Capitalism: A Journey to the Soul of Business, which hits number 1 International Best Seller in five different countries. 

4:12

When we’re talking about the Soul of Business, what we’re really talking about is what Adam Smith originally envisioned when he wrote The Wealth of Nations. Which became our model of capitalism today. He envisioned organizations and individuals, you call the virtuous individuals transacting business is its service of themselves. 

 4:55 

Which makes the soul of business is a recognition that everything has a soul and it’s that spark of creativity that kind of brought into life.

How is it manifested

6:59

Through action, through decisions, through behaviors according to Blaine.

The Key Ingredient around a Vision

10:34

What’s important about a vision isn’t the wordsmithing, what’s important about the vision is what it makes possible, and that ultimately is what leadership is about. 

The Definition of Leadership 

10:43

Leadership is the art of bringing possibility into reality. 

11:42

It’s about co-creating coordinated movement

About Compassionate Capitalism Book 

17:25

A book called Conscious capitalism became the foundation of compassionate capitalism. For Blaine, compassion is the quintessential expression of connection. That he cares about the quality of the experience. Blaine started to look around for models that might kind of represent a least roughly. 

Compassion Capitalism: A Journey to the Soul of Business https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GOUOWFS

https://www.blainebartlett.com

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 5

How do we deal with rejection in leadership and communication? 

There are incredible benefits to being rejected. 

Rejection, especially when met with a healthy acceptance somewhere else is really helpful to build someone up. Today, Mike teaches the things you can do when you’re rejected and it’s benefits.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com)

4 Things that rejection does:

2:57

1. Rejection will help you work harder. There’s something to prove when you have this experience of rejection. 

3:48

2. Rejection will help you become stronger. Character that in the inside of who we are. Who are we when the going gets tough? 

4:55

3. You try smarter. 

6:32

4. Grow tougher. All of us need to develop tough skin. What happens when we get that rejection, whether we let it get underneath us and really boil inside of us or do we filter it out and allow it to help us grow more confident.

10:25

Put yourself out there in a way that you might be rejected. As a result, if they say yes, you got a new relationship. If they say no, then lean into that rejection can cause you to work harder, become stronger, try smarter, or grow tougher.

12:46

The best salespeople experience rejection a lot, but don’t give up. They just keep leaning into the different benefits.  

14:58

Ultimately, rejection is really helpful if you have the right type of group support around you.

4 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU ARE REJECTED:

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

Also, check out the video at https://www.youtube.com/c/ADVANCEwithMikeAcker 

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 4 – You Need to BREATHE More (with Aimée Bruneau)

Have you ever seen a professional singer sit down while they're doing the performance? Most likely you don't see that very often especially when it comes to opera because the power is in the breath.

In leadership and communication, there's so much power that comes from breath. Today, Mike wants to teach you how to have a powerful breath and why it's so important as we dive into this subject with Aimee Bruneau.

Aimee is a public speaker and a communication coach.

 (For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

EPISODE 4 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

2:15

Ancients used to be able to look at a person and determine the quality of that person's life and how long they would live just by watching the way that person was breathing.

3:26

The time when Aimee discovered the importance of breath. 

8:30

Things that happen when you breathe shallowly when you are speaking in leadership and communication.

12:30

When people are very nervous, their voices will start to sound like it's not even their own voice because they shallow breathe. 

13:04

Structurally, if you're not using the full capacity of your breath, you're going to be limiting what's going on in your vocal tract

13:45

If you're nourishing your voice and your communication with these big full breaths, then you have so much more power. One of the biggest assets to full breathing is you are able to stand in front of people, and truly be present with them.

16:36

There are breathing exercises that you can learn by working with a coach. Breathwork is all the rage now, and they are finding that this is getting in front of anxiety, and just helping a lot of people. So self-awareness is one thing

17:30

Finding exercises that work for you is really important. You can work with the coach to find out what those are. They're pretty simple, but it's also habits.

19:45

High-stress moments are an opportunity that you have to practice those breathing techniques.

To improve your breathing, you need to: 

1. Be Self-aware - sometimes when we're thinking we forget to breathe. 

2. Build a Habit

KEY QUOTES:

2:00-2:10

“The quality of each breath can really paint a picture of the quality of your life”

14:50-15:10

“I have a lot of clients who really want to work as Executives. When it comes down to executive presence, the quickest way to improve it is by learning how to breathe and getting used to yourself and finding the power that your breath will give.”

18:20-18:25

“Whenever I catch myself in a moment of waiting, I check in to see how fully I am breathing right now.”

22:00-22:09

“Breath is life. When you're looking at the very basics, that's where I think true transformation begins.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: 

·      Building Habits: An Interview with Leo Babauta

·      Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad One

If you want to get to know more about Aimee Bruneau and her services, visit https://www.stepstoadvance.com/ or book a coaching session at https://advance.as.me/aimee. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn and make sure to hit the follow button!

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 3 – The Five Ways of Influence

How can you and I as leaders and communicators impact and influence the people in our lives? How can we do it intentionally? Leadership and communication go hand in hand. And you're going to see that in the way that we influence people. Now let's discover how influence impacts leadership and communication.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

EPISODE 3 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

What is Leadership?

2:55

Leadership is influencing people through your actions, through your words, through the programs that you run, through the services that you provide, through all of that, it is about influencing people.

How can leaders and communicators harness this power of influence and use it so to help people get to the desired end?

 #1 We influence people by what we have said

6:19

- Mike’s Dad is one of his biggest influencers that mostly came from what his dad said about him, positive and some negative things. These are things like praises and noticing his strengths, and even critiques.

#2 We influence people by what we have done in the past

7:44

- One of Mike’s biggest influencers is Wes Davis. Wes is a guy who has raised up leaders, invested developed, identified, and found potential in people and groomed them. This has influenced Mike to pursue a life mission of developing and training people. His YouTube videos and podcast are directly related to what Wes Davis has done.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

KEY QUOTES:

2:36-2:40

“Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.” - John C Maxwell

11:55-12:02

“How many lives can we change right now, when we choose to be people who say positive and bring out the best?”

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST: 

·      The 21 Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell

·      Connect.stepstoadvance.com

·      Schedule a call: advance.as.me/confidence

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 2
If you’re an arrogant Leader or Communicator, you feel like you’re better than everyone else, which also means you won't be nervous. Although arrogance get rids of YOUR nerves, you get on the nerves of everyone else. 

How can a leader or a speaker, a communicator be in upfront positions and remain humble?

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

EPISODE 2 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

1:25

When you first start out in a leadership position or communication, initially you’re full of humility because you know that you don’t know that much.

1:53

Humility is high and their skill and experience are relatively low.

2:38

At first, communicators have high humility. But over the course of time, as they got more and more praise, their humility went down as their skill increased.

Things that we can do to increase our humility

5:47 

1. Accept and appreciate your skill. Part of being humble is not pretending that you’re not skilled.
2. Remember when you come from. Remember where you started.
3. Start thinking of yourself less. Add value to people around you. Trying to minimize the ego and maximize your humility.

 
KEY QUOTES:

 03:57-04:02

“We impress people with our strengths. But we connect in our weakness. And it takes humility to realize that we actually have a weakness.”

04:32-04:45

 “As you increase your skills, your understanding, your knowledge, make sure that both of these are high instead of just balanced. Think full, not balanced.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST: 

●      The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann

●      Grow your Soul

●      Speak with No Fear

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 1

Leadership and communication go hand in hand, the most successful leaders and the most successful communicators often have these two in tandem. They can lead, they can bring out the best, they can also communicate so that we understand in the best way possible.

(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit connect.stepstoadvance.com) 

EPISODE 1 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTS

What is Leadership?

1:25

Leadership is acting, directing, guiding, and working with people to bring about a desired result.

What is Communication?

1:35

Communication is speaking, talking, conversing, and discussing so that you can get to a desired result.

Leadership & Communication

1:45

The end goal of leadership and communication is to get results. With leadership, you're doing it through others, with others, for others. With communication, you are speaking towards others, with others, so that you can get to that result.

2:46

Communicators who are communicating for a living in many different ways, often don't have the ability to bring a team with them. The most effective way of going about building results, building an empire, and building your brand, is to bring leadership and communication hand in hand, working with people and through people, and then communicating to people and with people.

3 Principles of Leadership

3 Principles of Communication

...

Get the full show notes and more (no cost) at connect.stepstoadvance.com

 

KEY QUOTES:

05:35-05:41

“Again and again, you'll find that leadership requires being brutally honest with the reality we face ourselves with.”

11:11-11:15

“If we listen to understand, then we could speak to the real issue that's at stake.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST: 

·       Good to Great

·       Speak With No Fear