Read to Lead Podcast

There was a time when a stage or platform was strictly borrowed by the one with the talent.

To sing for a living meant you needed a record deal. To write for a living meant you needed a publishing contract. In my case, to talk into a microphone for a living meant you first had to “run the board” at odd hours and for minimum wage until the program director decided you were ready for more responsibility.  

Those fortunate enough to be given a platform kept it on the condition they continued to make the gatekeepers money and/or look good. In the words of Janet Jackson, it was very much a “What have you done for me lately?” kind of world.

In many ways this model is still in play of course. But, as more solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and other content creators continue to spring up from what are arguably the ashes of the industrial age, the ability of the average person to leverage these larger, more traditional, platforms has been strengthened.

Click the Play button to listen to the episode, or scroll down for the written highlights.

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In today’s episode, I discuss:

Knowing When to Stop Talking

The Importance of Getting Clear on What Your Interviewer Wants Out of the Conversation

How to Adapt Your Style to Fit Your Situation

And more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made was investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

My Four Best Tips After Almost 30 Years Behind the Mic

The more successful your solo endeavors become, the higher the demand for your presence as a guest not only on blogs and podcasts, but traditional stages like radio, TV and in mainstream magazines. And with this increased potential for exposure comes an increased importance in one’s ability to communicate a message clearly and convincingly, and often in mere minutes.

Here, then, are a former professional broadcaster’s four best tips to help you crush your next media interview.

Adapt Your Style to the Situation

Understand Why You Were Chosen

Avoid the Temptation to Tell All

Compliment Your Interviewer

Again, for more on these tips, click the Podcast Player, or visit the Good Men Project where my article originally appeared.

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How to Crush Your Next Media Interview. @THEjeffbrown shares from his 3 decades of experience. https://readtoleadpodcast.

If you answer customer complaints at all, chances are you at least “pick your spots.”

In other words, you choose to engage your customers through only the handful platforms you prefer, whether that’s email, phone, social media, or something else.

Jay Baer, however, author of Hug Your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints and Keep Your Customers insists that, to be effective, your organization needs to answer every complaint from every customer, regardless of platform, all the time!

Not only that, but Jay has the research to back up why this is so important. With it, he demonstrates that there are two types of complainers, each with very different motivations.

And, he includes a number of interviews, as well as case studies, from businesses who follow the Hug Your Haters formula and have transformed their business as a result.

To join my conversation with Jay, simply hit the play button below. You’re sure to learn a lot.

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In today’s episode, Jay and I discuss:

Several of the benefits to hugging your haters

The two types of haters and the key differences between them

The rise of what Jay calls “onstage” haters and what it means for your business

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made was investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Jay Baer’s Latest Book

You can pre-order your copy of Hug Your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints and Keep Your Customers right now?

Jay Baer in Action

Books Jay Recommends

Zombie Loyalists: Using Great Service to Create Rabid Fans by Peter Shankman

Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden

Jay Baer Resources

The best place to find out more about Jay is on his company website.

Here,

Though I don’t read as much as some, it’s safe to say I read more than most. Chance are, so do you. That’s why you listen to a show like this one, after all.

I’ve presented around 50 books to you this past year and there are 5 that really stand out to me. These are the books that had the greatest impact on me, and the books I think are primed to help the most people with their message.

Click the image below to enter to win a copy of all five (ends December 31, 2015). 

For the audio version, just click ‘play’ on the podcast player below. Short and sweet.

Though I originally intended to rank these, I found it was just too difficult for me to do so. I like each of them so well. You could say that these 5 books are tied for my #1 position for 2015.

In no particular order, here they are:

Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It by Dorie Clark

Who’s it for? Anyone looking to make their mark and, well, stand out. Not a book on self-promotion, but an opportunity to learn how to change your world for the better while giving yourself the ultimate job insurance.

Louder Than Words: Harness the Power of Your Authentic Voice by Todd Henry

Who’s it for? Anyone who desires to get a handle on developing a compelling vision and becoming a master of expressing your ideas in whatever your chosen medium. Todd offers strategies, exercises, and true stories that illustrate the attributes of extremely resonant work.

The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discover What Your Were Meant to Do by Jeff Goins

Who’s it for? Anyone who is tired of the status quo and looking to live a life that matters (more on that topic too in the next book on the list). Jeff wants you to embrace the understanding of a vocation as more than a job, or even a career, but a as a passion-fueled calling that makes each day an exciting adventure.

Intentional Living: Living a Life That Matters by John Maxwell

Who’s it for? Anyone who has previously felt that, in order to make a positive impact, you needed to be a certain age, have a lot of money, be famous, or have a big idea. John says none of those things are necessary for you to achieve significance or create a lasting legacy. The key to choosing a life that matters is being intentional. That’s a word we’ll revisit again and again in 2016.

Steal the Show: From Speeches, to Job Interviews, to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life by Michael Port

Who’s it for? Why, anyone who wants to ‘steal the show’ of course!

The key to reaching any goal is understanding the importance of breaking down the steps necessary to reach it, and implementing those steps in a methodical way.

In others words, it’s a lot like Project Management.

Cesar Abeid is my guest today. He is the author of the bestselling book,Project Management for You: How to Turn Your Ideas Into Reality, Deliver on Your Promises, and Get Things Done.

“We live in the information age,” Cesar reminds us, “and we are knowledge workers. Our value is not in what we know, but how we use what we know according to each circumstance.”

To join my conversation with Cesar, simply hit the play button below. I know you’re going to get a lot out of it.

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In today’s episode, Cesar and I discuss:

* Why so few of us take action to make our dreams a reality, and fewer still see projects through to completion

* How leveraging Mindmaps can aid you in Project Management

* The questions to ask to help you determine what to keep and what to delegate

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Cesar Abeid’s Latest Book

You can order your Kindle copy of Project Management for You: How to Turn Your Ideas Into Reality, Deliver on Your Promises, and Get Things Done right now! Scroll down to learn how to get a free copy of the audio version with your purchase.

Cesar Abeid in Action

Books Cesar Recommends

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences by Nancy Duate

Cesar Abeid Resources

The best place to find out more about Cesar is on his company website.

Here,

What do you think when you hear the word retirement?

For me, I picture my extended family gathering to celebrate my grandfather’s retirement when I was a teenager. He would go on to live for almost another 30 years after that. I will always remember him biding his time sitting in a recliner watching television, and once or twice a year traveling to his home state of Alabama (from Indiana) to visit.

Not exactly how I intend to spend my final years.

In his upcoming book Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age, It’s a Financial Number (available for pre-order until January 11, 2016), author, speaker and financial coach Chris Hogan says the average American’s retirement dreams don’t line up with their financial reality. In fact, many retirees he says will be packing their lunch for an 8-hour shift out of necessity. They simply aren’t ready.

Chris’ message is a simple one: Whether you’re twenty-five and starting your first job or fifty-five and watching the career clock start to wind down, today is the day to get serious about your retirement.

To join my conversation with Chris, simply hit the play button below. I know you’re going to get a lot out of it.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Chris and I discuss:

Some of the retirement obstacles Chris sees as the most common

Why, just as in sports, we must first understand the fundamentals

His advice for helping build the habit of budgeting

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Chris Hogan’s Latest Book

You can pre-order your copy of Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age, It’s a Financial Number right now!

Chris Hogan in Action

Books Chris Recommends

Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey

Every one of us wants our life to matter.

We each have an innate need, a longing, to be significant, to make a contribution, to do something noble and purposeful. We often, however, doubt that these things are within our reach.

So says the man most know as the #1 Leadership Expert in the world, and author Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters, John Maxwell.

John says that making an impact on the world doesn’t require you to be a certain age, have a lot of money, fame, or a big idea. In fact, the key to choosing a life that matters comes down to one word. Intentionality.

To join my conversation with John, simply hit the play button below. I know you’re going to get a lot out of it.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, John and I discuss:

The difference between success and what it truly means to live a life of significance

Some of the benefits that come your way when you choose to live intentionally

The importance of understanding your “why” and how it helps you find your “way”

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

John Maxwell’s Latest Book

You can order your copy of Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters right now!

John Maxwell in Action

Books John Recommends

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Move Ahead with Possibility Thinking by Robert Schuller

I first met Jeff Sanders in the spring of 2013, right about the time both of us were set to launch our podcasts.

Since then, a lot has happened. Both Jeff and I have seen our shows nominated for multiple awards, we’ve both had the chance to speak at a number of conferences, and quite a bit more.

In Jeff’s case, his journey also included being offered a book deal about this time last year. 5 AM Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast, out now, is the one we discuss today. I couldn’t be more proud of him.

Jeff has positioned himself as the guy who bounces out of bed when most of us are sound asleep. He understands what it takes to tackle big goals and actually achieve them again and again. In fact, since he first launched the weekly 5 AM Miracle podcast on July 1, 2013, he has yet to miss a single Monday (126 and counting).

To join my conversation with Jeff, simply hit the play button below. I know you’re going to get a lot out of it.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Jeff and I discuss:

The 4 commitments you must be willing to make that lay the foundation for achieving success

The realization that our greatest accomplishments are born out of the most fundamental processes

The specifics of the 7-part 5AM Miracle Blueprint

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Jeff Sanders’ Latest Book

You can order your copy of 5 AM Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast right now!

Books Jeff Recommends

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay...

Whether you realize it or not, you are a performer.

That’s right. We all are in fact. We’re performing every day of our lives: at work, at home, online, at dinner, and in virtually every other scenario in which we find ourselves.

For most of us, we do it without thinking. We naturally play our various roles without a moment’s thought toward our chameleon-like nature. It’s not that we aren’t being true to who we are. We just instinctively understand subconsciously that each of our roles requires us to emphasize different aspects of who we truly are.

So says Michael Port, today’s guest on Read to Lead.

Michael takes on this topic and more in his new book, Steal the Show…from Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches: How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life.

To join my conversation with Michael, simply hit the play button below.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Michael and I discuss:

What it means to “find your voice” and how not fall into the trap of thinking you don’t have enough to offer

How you can be chameleon-like and still be true to who you are at the same time, and WHY this ability is so important

How taking risks pays off and how discomfort can signal opportunity

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Michael Port’s Latest Book

You can order your copy of Steal the Show…from Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches: How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life right now!

Scroll down for more info on how to secure over $1000 in bonuses from Michael!

Heroic Public Speaking

Don’t Miss These Free Bonuses from Michael!

After you purchase your copy of Steal the Show here, head on over to the Steal the Show website.

The latest research suggests that only 29 percent of employees are truly engaged in the work they do.

That’s like an engine running at less than one third its power. How an your team reach its potential with that level of engagement?

Imagine your company instead with eight out of ten people truly engaged. What would this mean to your company’s productivity, morale, retention, and ability to recruit top talent?

Mike Goldman tackles these topics and more in the newly-released 2nd edition of his book Performance Breakthrough: The Four Secrets of Passionate Organizations. Told in story form, it’s a quick and fascinating read.

To join my conversation with Mike, simply hit the play button below.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Mike and I discuss:

What has and hasn’t changed in the business world since the first edition of the book was released back in 2007

What Mike believes to be the single, greatest opportunity for companies regardless of their size

The four secrets of passionate organizations

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Mike Goldman’s’s Latest Book

You can order your copy of Performance Breakthrough: The Four Secrets of Passionate Organizations right now!

Mike Goldman on Performance Breakthrough

Books Mike Recommends

Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…And Why the Rest Don’t by Verne Harnish

Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm by Verne Harnish

Today’s guest is co-author of what you might call a “power” book.

If implemented, it has the power to literally transform the relationships of those you love the most and help you become a significant leader at work and in your community. If you can admit to the areas in your life where you tend to disconnect – personal, family, team, organization, and community – and if you are willing to deal with them. 

In their new book, 5 Gears: How to Be Present and Productive When There is Never Enough Time, Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram suggest relational intelligence is the future competitive advantage for leaders. It is becoming the primary currency of leadership influence.

To join my conversation with Jeremie, simply hit the play button below.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Jeremie and I discuss:

Why leading well is similar to driving well and how to apply the 5 gear analogy

The differences between understanding the various gears at home versus work

The importance of being able to recognize when a shift is appropriate or necessary

And much more!

This Episode is Sponsored By the Folks at UpDesk

Read to Lead is supported by UpDesk, helping you “take a stand” for your health.

One of the smartest decisions I’ve made this year is investing in a motorized standup desk.

UpDesk will ship your desk free anywhere inside the contiguous US.

Go to ReadtoLeadPodcast.com/desk and find the one right for you. Get healthy at work!

Jeremie Kubicek’s Latest Book

You can order your copy of 5 Gears: How to Be Present and Productive When There is Never Enough Time right now!

Jeremie Kubicek in Action

Books Jeremie Recommends

Personality, Character and Leadership in the White House: Psychologists Assess the Presidents by Steven J. Rubenzer

The Culture Code: An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around the World Live and Buy as They Do by Clotaire Rapaille