Read to Lead Podcast

If you’ve ever walked into a roomful of people at a business or social event and felt uncomfortable, you are not alone.

That’s probably one of the reason why Susan RoAne’s bestseller How to Work a Room has sold over 1 million copies in 13 countries.

Today, Susan shares with us her message of connection and communication. Whether meeting people offline or online, the 25th Anniversary edition of Susan’s book can help you make a great impression every time.

This new edition is fully revised and updated to include the role of technology and social media in networking, as well as Susan’s proven tips for using digital strategies to your advantage. Plus, practical hints for starting conversations and strengthening rapport with strangers.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Susan will share:

The difference between networking, as we traditionally think of it, and working a room

Some of the reasons why often overlooked small talk is so powerful

The dos and Don’ts of chatting online

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

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Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Susan RoAne’s New Book

You can order your copy of

I have the pleasure this week of welcoming Erica Dhawan to the show.

Erica is the Founder & CEO of Cotential, a global consultancy that accelerates the connectedness of employees, teams, customers and clients.

Through keynote speaking, training and consulting, she teaches business leaders and companies innovative strategies to create increasing value for customers and clients, deliver sustainable results and ensure future global competitiveness.

She writes for Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company and the Huffington Post. And, she is the co-author (along with Saj-Nicole Joni) of Get BIG Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence.

Get Big Things Done provides the much needed answer to the yearning question of how to connect intelligently in today’s world, so that we can unleash our full human potential and accomplish remarkable results.

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Erica will share:

What Connectional Intelligence means and what the process looks like

Why she believes that Connectional Intelligence can be practiced by anyone

The power of not just sharing problems but designing them in such a way that many people want to pitch in and solve them…

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Today my guest, Jeff Goins, wants to encourage you to abandon the status quo and live a life that matters.

His new book, due out March 24th, is designed to help you do just that. And when you add in the fact you can pick it up for nothing more than the cost of shipping – plus a plethora of freebies – you’ve got no excuse but to act (read on).

In his new book, The Art of Work: A Proven Path for Discovering What You Were Meant to Do, Jeff sets out to describe seven common characteristics he’s identified after encountering hundreds of stories from people, just like you, who have found their calling. Each of these seven characteristics are like overlapping stages that, once started, continue for the rest of your life. Check out my interview below for more.

He’s also authored several previous books including, The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing, Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life and You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One).

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | RSS

In today’s episode, Jeff will share:

The concept of succeeding, not despite our failures but because of them

The importance of mindset and what Jeff learned from his dad about doing your best

The Portfolio Life, and why the future belongs to those willing to embrace it

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

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Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

If you’ve ever desire to write and launch your own book, then you’ve come to the right place.

Our guest today, Chandler Bolt, was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug at an early age when he saw that he could make a lot more money working for himself. So, while his friends were off searching for jobs, he was out starting businesses.

He’s the co-founder and CEO of Self-Publishing School. He’s a speaker, traveling across the country teaching students the lessons he’s learned as a young entrepreneur and encouraging them to take the entrepreneurial leap.

He’s also authored several books including, The Productive Person and Productivity Hacks for Entrepreneurs. His latest book is called Book Launch: How to Write, Market & Publish Your First Bestseller in Three Months or Less AND Use it to Start and Grow a Six Figure Business.

Hear our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Chandler will share:

Some of the common misconceptions when it comes to writing a book

* How to self-publish a book in 2017

The 3 keys to successfully write a bestseller in 90 days

The importance of “Purposing” your writing

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,

In 2011, Kimanzi Constable was $180K in debt, his marriage was falling apart and his children barely knew him.

Oh, and the icing on the cake? He was 170lbs overweight.

Skip ahead less than four years later, and he’s an entrepreneur and author, having recently pulled up stakes in Milwaukee, WI and moved to Maui, Hawaii!

He now writes for Entrepreneur Magazine, The Huffington Post and the Good Men Project, among others, and his latest book is called Are You Living or Existing? 9 Steps to Change You Life.

Did I mention he recently revealed on his blog that he dropped out of high school before returning to get his GED? And your excuse again is what?

Hear our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Kimanzi will share:

How to Identify Your Dreams

Why reaching out to others for help is so hard, and what to do about it

Some of the common obstacles that often thwart attempts at major life change

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Kimanzi in Action

Kimanzi Constable’s Book

You can order your copy of 

I have heard the name Hal Elrod so many times in the last few weeks, I’ve actually lost count.

So much so that I decided I had to find out what all the fuss is about.

Simply put, he’s written a book that has done what many books are unable to do: convince you to change the habits that aren’t benefitting you and replacing them with a specific morning routine, customizable to you, that will prepare you – better than anything I’ve experienced – to sustain what Hal calls Level 10 Success.

That book is called The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life Before 8am.

Hear our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Hal will share how to:

The two life-altering events that completely changed the course of his life

The simple things you can do in the morning that will completely transform your day

How to live up to your potential and surround yourself with others doing the same

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Hal in Action

Hal Elrod’s Book

You can order your copy of 

You may recall that Dan Miller was the first ever author to appear on the Read to Lead Podcast.

Episode #067 marks his return; this time to discuss his first book (which is also his latest). In the 10th Anniversary Edition of 48 Days to the Work You Love, there’s plenty of new material, including new chapters. After all, a lot has happened within the world of work the last 10 years.

Think about it. 10 years ago, Podcasting (along with Facebook) was in its infancy, the entire economy we now know as smartphone apps didn’t yet exist, nor did YouTube, Twitter or Instagram. Think about those that have started new companies with the help of sites like Kickstarter. Not even possible in 2004.

Needless to say, a lot has changed. In the new edition, Dan addresses those issues and more.

Hear our Conversation Now

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Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Dan will share how to:

The ‘shelf life’ of the average college degree

The limitations of making safety and security your end goal

The differences between vocation, career and job

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Dan in Action

Dan Miller’s Book

You can order your copy of 48 Days to the Work Y...

You might have to pinch me because, as hard as it is for me to believe, Seth Godin is indeed appearing on the podcast today.

He is easily my favorite business book author of all time and to have him here is nothing short of a thrill for me.

Seth is the author of 17 bestsellers (soon to be 18 no doubt) that have been translated into 35 languages. He’s the founder of several companies, a member of the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame and an influential speaker around the world.

He writes about treating people with respect, the changing economy and ideas that spread. Mostly, he creates projects, many of which end up failing.

Hear our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Seth will share how to:

Overcome resistance to change

Resolve often knowing you can with not always believing you can

Handle criticism of your work

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

***********

Try Lynda.com FREE for 10 Days [Sponsor]

Kickstart your new year and challenge yourself to learn something new with a free 10-day trial to lynda.com!

lynda.com is used by millions of people around the world and has over 3,000 courses on topics like web development, photography, visual design and business, as well as software training like Excel, WordPress, and Photoshop.

All of their courses are taught by experts and new courses are added to the site every week.

Whether you want to set new financial goals, find work/life balance, invest in a new hobby, ask your boss for a raise, find a new job or improve upon your current job skills in 2015, lynda.com has something for everyone!

Seth in Action

You can see Seth in action in one of his three TED talks here.

Seth Godin’s Book

You can order your copy of What to do When it’s Your Turn (and it’s Always Your Turn) and find out more about the book right now.

***WIN SETH’S BOOK***

Win a Copy of Seth’s New Book by Taking These 3 Steps

Sign up for the Read to Lead Podcast newsletter (the form is at the upper right-hand corner of this page)

Leave a comment below stating why you want to win a copy of Seth’s new book

Click this link to Tweet about the...

My guest today, entrepreneur Kate Erickson, has an eclectic background.

There’s extensive experience in marketing and advertising, an English degree thrown in for good measure, and a passion for entrepreneurship.

She is the now content creator and community leader for EntrepreneurOnFire, a website and podcast hosted by John Lee Dumas. John, by the way, was a guest on episode #003 of this podcast.

Kate, you see, realized after all those years in marketing and advertising and the banking industry that she didn’t need corporate america to determine her worth for her.

Instead, she decided to determine her own worth by taking all of that knowledge and experience she gained and putting it towards helping others recognize, create and build the business they’ve always dreamed of, but never thought possible.

Hear our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Kate will share how to:

Steps to marrying your passion with your expertise

The dangers of casting too wide a net when launching your business

The four elements to an effective platform

And much more!

Announcing – Blinkist 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

And, when you purchase a subscription before December 24, 2014, you’ll get a second one absolutely free, just in time to give one as a gift!

Kate Erickson’s Book

You can order your copy of Fire Path: Where Your Passion and Our Guidance Unite! right now.

Find out more about the book by visiting TheFirePath.com.

Books Kate Recommends

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Today my guest is Rory Vaden, New York Times bestselling author of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success.

His new book is Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time.

Unlike most productivity books, this one is not based around tips and tricks, tools and technology, or calendars and checklists.

For example, you will not read techniques like: create a schedule every week, determine your priorities, take a break every few minutes, do the hardest thing first, turn off your email while you are working on your computer, or any of the other “tired” techniques that nearly every article or book on “time-management” refer to.

Instead, you will read about the fascinating dynamics of how human emotions such as guilt, fear, pressure, and worry drive our decisions of how to spend our time each day. Most of all, you’ll learn how to manage those emotions to make different decisions about how to use your time. This book isn’t about what to do with your time; it’s about how to think differently about time.

Hear our Conversation Now

Click here to subscribe in iTunes | Click here to subscribe on Stitcher

In today’s episode, Rory will share how to:

* Understand the way the most successful people in the world think differently about time

* Employ solutions to give yourself more margin in life without compromising your results

* Develop a sense of inner peace and control from embracing and implementing the 5 Permissions of the Focus Funnel

* And much more!

Announcing – Blinkest 3 Now with Audio Summaries [Sponsor]

Tired of unfinished books on your shelf? Wanna read more books in less time? Like, say, as many as four of your favorite business books in an hour?

With Blinkist, glean the main ideas and key insights from some of your favorite business books in just 15 minutes. To start your free trial today, just click our special Blinkist link.

With Blinkist 3, they’ve added audio versions of many of their written summaries, with new ones being added each week. Plus, sync your highlights to Evernote and send unlimited summaries to your Kindle.

And, when you purchase a subscription before December 24, 2014, you’ll get a second one absolutely free, just in time to give one as a gift!

Rory Vaden in Action

Rory Vaden’s Book

You can order your copy of Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time right now.