3 Ways to Connect With Thought Leaders Through Podcasting

One of the big advantages of podcasting is that it allows you to connect with leaders in your field. As a podcasting producer and host I've been able to connect with the top authors, bloggers and speakers in my field. Below are 5 of the best strategies that I've found for connecting with thought leaders and increasing your credibility and visibility with a podcast:

1. Interview thought leaders
One of the most effective ways to connect with the top people in your industry is to interview them. You'd be surprised at the number of people who will say yes if you ask them to appear on your podcast. You are providing exposure and credibility for them. Interviewing authors and speakers in your field is a great way to start a relationship with them which can lead to additional opportunities and exposure.


2. Comment on thought leaders work in your podcast
If you are doing a solo podcast, where you are not interviewing guests but speaking directly to listeners, you can still connect with thought leaders in your field. Read their blogs, watch their videos and listen to their podcasts and then do a podcast episode about your reaction and reflection to their work. Encourage your listeners to visit the thought leaders blog and give the url for their website on your podcast. Then you can send your podcast episode directly to the thought leader and start a conversation with them.

3. Share your podcast in social media groups
Find social media groups that contain influencers and connectors in your field and join the conversation. As people share their struggles and challenges, you can do a podcast episode that answers their questions. You can then share your podcast episode and ask for feedback. Sharing your podcast episode as part of the conversation will allow you avoid being "spammy" and will make you a resource for solving the problems and challenges that the thought leaders in your field are facing.

Podcasting is a powerful platform to connect with the top people in your field and demonstrate your own thought leadership. As you share your thoughts and reflections on challenges in your niche, people will start to look to you as a thought leader. Using the above strategies will help you rise to the top in your field, increase your credibility and visibility and grow your business.


About Doug:

Doug Foresta is a veteran podcaster who helps coaches, authors and speakers to start podcasts that help them expand their reach. He is the founder of the 30 Day Podcasting Challenge and host of the popular Coachzing Show on iTunes and Stitcher Radio. For a free 30 minute consultation, contact Doug at 413-883-5518 or dougforesta@gmail.com 

FEELING GRATITUDE: Enjoying this Month of Love (February)...

To me, THE best way to maintain a Positive Mindset is to FEEL and ACT UPON GRATITUDE... It's February and Valentine's Day is just a week away - why not use this month to develop a daily Gratitude Habit? Think about the effect a daily Gratitude session will have on your life and the lives of those you touch. Here are a few ways to do so:

Feeling Gratitude: here are two things to put in writing:

Victory Log: On paper or in a Word Document, write down every good thing that you have ever achieved and every great thing that has ever happened to you from your childhood till now. You can categorize them by topics such as school, relationships, sports, arts, work, positive traits, talents, travels, etc. Your list will be long. Next time you are feeling down on yourself, READ IT... Then make a habit of reading it often.

Gratitude Journal: Every day, write down a few things you are grateful for and then take the time to feel the gratitude. Read it daily. This one thing alone will make your life more positive...

Showing Gratitude: here are some ways to do so - there is NO BETTER FEELING than doing so:

·         Make every day "Catch Someone Doing Good Day" by looking for reasons to congratulate and/or compliment people and then doing so.

·         Smile at people you see - appreciate life.

·         Make a phone call and/or send a card or letter just to show your appreciation for the recipient.

·         Volunteer for a good cause.

Og Mandino is one of my favorite inspirational authors. He was also a motivational speaker who I listen to often while driving (Audible.com is a great place to get his materials). He overcame major problems in his own life and resulting in a wonderful way of putting life's seemingly rough experiences into positive perspective. I leave you this month with a couple of Og's quotes and a poem that he recites (author unknown):

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.”

“Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.”

"Forgive Me When I Whine”

"Today upon a bus I saw a lovely maiden with golden hair;

I envied her—so beautiful, and how, I wished I were so fair;

When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;

She had one foot and wore a crutch,

but as she passed, she wore a smile

Oh God, forgive me when I whine,

I have two feet –the world is mine

And when I stopped to buy some sweets,

the lad who served me had such charm;

he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm;

I said, “it’s nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find;”

He turned and said, “Oh, thank you sir.”

And then I saw that he was blind.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine,

I have two eyes, the world is mine

Then when walking down the street,

I saw a child with eyes of blue;

He stood and watched the others play,

it seemed he knew not what to do;

I stopped a moment, then I said,

“Why don’t you join the others, dear?

He looked ahead without a word,

I realized –he could not hear.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine,

I have two ears, the world is mine

With feet to take me where I’d go,

with eyes to see the sunsets glow,

with ears to hear what I would know,

I am blessed indeed.

The world is mine Oh God, forgive me when I whine."

May you Feel and Show Gratitude and enjoy this Month of Love...

ABOUT CHIP:

Chip, the Happiness and Success GPS for one's LIFE and one's CAREER, is a speaker, trainer, facilitator, consultant (business and personal) and a NETWORKING EXPERT. Everything I do is customized for the group or business I that am working with so let's brainstorm!

My PURPOSE and MISSION is to spread AWARENESS to everyone that they have the CHOICE (a gift given only to human beings) to ESCAPE from "SAMEVILLE" (the day to day routines many get stuck in) and build a happy and successful life. I LOVE speaking to groups (including students) about this. If you have a suggestion for a group for me to present to, let's talk about it - call me anytime at 860-673-4006 - coffee's on me!

VALENTINES DAY CARDS and GIFTS: if you are looking for an easy and inexpensive way to send customized Valentine's Day Cards, please contact me at the number above - check out http://cardsct.com for more info...

Also, please go and LIKE my Facebook Business Page at  facebook.com/HappinessAndSuccessGPS - THANKS!!

To Tip or Not to Tip....That is the Dilemma


A long standing debate amongst several colleauges of mine is that of Tipping. Who to tip, how much to tip or not to tip at all.  Tipping is defined by most recent etiquette standards as a gift, gratuity or bonus, determined by the giver.  
With that being stated, it tends to imply that there are times where you can skip the tip.  Indeed this is correct, however there are guidelines to follow when doing so.  Drive thru venues are a perfect example.  It is not mandatory to leave a tip for the service, however it is convenient to leave the cumbersome coins received in change.   One can debate the necessity to death over various service jobs - Fast food establishments for example (similar to those giant yellow arches) do not allow tipping.  However, you will be hard pressed to NOT find a cup near the register at a coffee serving establishment.  

Restaurants are a mandatory tipping venue, however, who and how much can produce another issue.  Servers, bus boys, host/hostesses, etc. all receive a share of the main tip left at a table after a meal.  The hourly rate is often extremely low (beyond even minimum wage) and most of the gratuity is the main wage.  In most cases it is the servers incentive to offer the best service possible,  15 - 20 % is standard for a job well done.  More that 20% indicates your extreme pleasure with the meal and service and is also welcomed.  Leaving less than 15% is frowned upon - even if there is good reason to lessen the amount.   I never recommend doing so for many reasons.  If the food was not good, perhaps the chef was new, not feeling well or simply having a bad day.  The reason will remain forever unknown, however, take into consideration all of these things.  If the service was not up to par, talk to the manager,   The manager can be alerted to a possible problem and correct it immediately.   Simply  not leaving a tip leaves the server wondering why and does not correct the issue at hand.  And... often times the manager will comp an item for extreme displeasing issues which offers a bit of compensation for the error.

Last but not least - I have heard this exclaimed - "I simply didn't have enough money on me to leave a tip"  This excuse is deplorable and should never be used.  Simply stated, if you are not able to afford the meal and tip - do not dine out.

Where there is a large party of 8 or more, you are most likely subject to an automatic gratuity of 18%.  Large parties require more assistance and typically dine longer.  This is also done to make the servers life easier.  You may tip over and above the 18% if you choose to do so.

As I gaze out the window on this dreary, snow blowing day, my blog has me realizing that I haven't yet had breakfast.  With all of this talk about tipping, I have decided its off to a restaurant to enjoy the delicious food made by others, served by others - however, not before I check my wallet to make sure I have enough cash for the tip!

Karen A. Thomas is your CT Etiquette Expert specializing in Corporate Training and teaching college students the finer points of real life skills and decorum.  Check out my website at  www.ctetiquette.com

Don't Let The Start Stop You!

Nike says, “Just do it!” And I must admit there has been many times that I have followed that advice and have “just done it.” Now I’m going to honest with you here. I didn’t always know what I was doing! And sometimes I actually had to apologize for doing it…

As a matter of fact, many times I did not know what I was doing and many times I had to apologize, but I somehow had this blind faith that somehow, someway, things would find a way to work themselves out…

And you know what? Things usually have found a way to work themselves out.

Now don’t get me wrong here. This has not always been painless. I have made many mistakes and have often taken the long way home, but somehow I have always made it home, if you know what I mean…

This whole conversation reminds me of a new friend I made the other day who asked if I had any advice for an aspiring writer. My advice was to give yourself permission to write a bad first draft. If you can give yourself permission to write poorly at first, eventually you will surprise yourself with your ability. It’s just like everything else in life…

In other words, “Don’t Let the Start, Stop You!”

How about you? Have you taken any chances lately? Have you given yourself permission to do something new poorly at first? If so, then I think you’re on the right road. Furthermore, I think this road may even delightfully surprise you

However, when this road leads you to victory, then it will be your turn to teach others the concept of, “Don’t Let the Start, Stop You!” Enjoy.

Daniel Blanchard is the author of the Granddaddy’s Secrets teen leadership book series and is available to speak at your events. To learn more about Dan please visit his website at: www.GrandDaddysSecrets.com. Thanks.

Lead via Participation for Best Results

Do you believe that "Leading" means "telling people what to do?"

It's time to debunk that myth.

In posts over the last three months, we discussed that top performers (in all disciplines) share a commitment to preparation, and the #1 mistake leaders make when they rehearse as well as the power of examples and stories.

We introduced the acronym PREP:

Plan
Rehearse

Examples

Participate

This month is about  P: Participate.  

Benjamin Franklin once wrote:

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

What do you want people to take away from their experience with you?

This is the starting place for you design a strategy for participation.

Do they need to be informed?  Reminded?  Inspired?  Persuaded?

What do you want them to do?

If you're dealing with adults, how can you make them partners on the journey?

Some ways to do this:

Discuss rich questions in pairs/trios/small groups.

• Give a group activity that involves a forced ranking.
• Have them tell stories about their own experience.
• Have them teach back sections of information you've already covered.
• Have them draw pictures/images of an ideal vision.

The possibilities are endless!

The key to whatever activities you ultimately choose: what is your desired outcome?  

Then pick the involvement strategies that will get you there smoothest and quickest.

Happy designing!

What interactive techniques do you find most useful?  Join the conversation by leaving a comment below.

To continue the conversation, connect with me on LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/in/alainhunkins  and read my weekly blog at:

www.pioneerleadership.com

SpeakNaked. I'll do anything for Love, but I won't do that...

 

 I'll do anything for Love,

 but I won't do that.

What holds us back in life is what we won't do.

Value and Moral won'ts are a good thing 

Habitual and fear won'ts will keep us stuck.

        Click for I won't do that Video

Our "fear won'ts" come in many forms

I could never...

I just can't....

I just couldn't....

They won't let me...

No Way...

I will not...

NO !

Each of our "fear won'ts" are keeping us

safe, small and stuck

Find your Won'ts and grow beyond them

List 10 things that could be / need to be done for what you love.

       Choose the scariest thing and do it.

List 10 fear things that you won't do for what you love.

       Choose the least scary thing and do it.  

and while you are making these lists, and doing these things

Sing

I will do anything for Love

   and I will do that.....



Glenn Dulko is the Presentation Doctor

Glenn helps speakers deliver strong healthy presentation.

   For a checkup or an emergency call on your presentation

 get Glenn at 203-415-8964 or Glenn@SpeakNaked.com.

   Glenn will do anything for love... and he will do that

 SpeakNaked

Your brain on paper - Checklists (10 kinds!)

In your organisation:
Do you do things more than once?
Do you do them more than twice?
If you do the more than twice, then you should have a checklist. Most of what follows in this brief article can be found in more detail in - The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande.

Mr. Gawande points out that there are two forms of checklists: Read-Do and Do-Confirm; additionally, Justin Fox, in an excellent Harvard business review article (https://hbr.org/2010/02/draftwhat-sort-of-checklist-sh.html) describes five kinds of checklists.

• The most straightforward kind of checklist is the task list
• A close relative of the task list is the troubleshooting list
• A coordination list.
• A discipline list, where you set down a list of procedures you want to follow to keep you from making bad decisions later, in the heat of the moment.
• The most common sort of checklist is the to-do list. 

With these five different kinds of checklists, each of which can be Read-Do or Do-Confirm checklists, there is a lot of flexibility to codify expertise without constraining spontaneity and creativity.

Below are some pointers on how to create excellent checklists, followed by an excellent web article on how to create physical checklists that are highly functional and usable.

 Here are some guidelines from the checklist manifesto:

•  Keep them short and simple. Spelling out every step turns off people's brains. Focus on critical steps needed to prevent common mistakes.
• Use task checks for obvious but critical operations.
• Use communication checks for complex stuff - They "ensure people talk and coordinate and accept responsibility while nonetheless being left the power to manage the nuances and unpredictabilities the best they know how."
• Pick the right type of list. Use READ-DO checklists (read each step, then do it) when users have limited experience with the process. Use DO-CONFIRM checklists (do the steps from memory, then pause and check) when users have memorized most of the steps. 
• Test and adapt. Like most things, you won't get your checklist right the first time. Pay attention to which steps are tedious or confusing, and fix them as you go.

Given this richness available in the world of the humble checklist don't you think you owe it to yourself, and your team to start making this part of your professional life, thus ensuring:

You will be all you can be! 

Tony Sherman, the Implementation Rabbi, at Impact Teams. My your checklists bring you prosperity throughout 2015.