Leading through Change & Crisis: Grace under Pressure

Crisis can bring out the best in leaders; they must rise to the challenge of a world turned upside down. The very best leaders do this by leveraging their purpose with their sense of grace.

Leaders need to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, provide clarity in times of uncertainty, and deliver hope when fear abounds. And do it all with a sense of grace that reflects humility, empathy and respect for others.

In his keynote, John Baldoni reveals how leaders use the concept of grace to help us learn, grow and fulfill the “greater good.” The presentation explores three concepts:

• Take Care of Your Team (Adversity, Stress, Resilience, Affirmation)
• Take Care of Yourself (Make This Your Finest Hour!)
• Prepare for What’s Next (Capitalize on the Crisis)

Lead with Purpose: Giving Your Organization a Reason to Believe in Itself

When an organization succeeds it is because they know what they do and why they do it. We say they have purpose.

When I speak to executives, I ask them: what would you give to have an entire company full of employees who know what they do, love it and want to keep on doing it. They smile wistfully knowing that such commitment is rare. But in reality it is only rare because companies do not take enough time nurturing such attitudes in the workplace.

It is up to leaders to make certain that organizational purpose is understood and acted upon. Based upon research and interviews with business executives in multiple sectors I have concluded that there are five key people-smart things that businesses must do to succeed in the new future.

In this presentation, John will explore:

• How defined purpose can help your team thrive and achieve
• Ways to make people your first priority
• How to turn good intentions into great results
• How to make employees “comfortable with the uncomfortable” (i.e. ambiguity)
• How make it safe to fail (and prevail)
• How to create your legacy with emerging leaders

Grace Notes: Leading in an Upside-Down World

A thought-provoking new keynote, John Baldoni demonstrates how leaders must demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, provide clarity in times of uncertainty, and deliver hope when fear abounds. And do it all with a sense of grace that reflects humility, empathy and respect for others. True to the spirit of looking forward with grace, John integrates his own piano improvisations and still life photos into his presentation.

MOXIE: The Secret to Bold and Gutsy Leadership

Leading others to achieve positive results is not easy. Not only must leaders be smart, they must be resilient. They need to be able to view challenges as opportunities. And if they are knocked down they need to find ways to pick up themselves as well as their teams. In short successful leaders have something that distinguishes them from others.

We say they have “moxie” – one part determination, one part smarts, and one part courage! Leaders need to be opportunistic in the sense of wanting to make positive things happen. Leaders also need to have the disposition to succeed as well as the inner resourcefulness to persevere. We call this the “right stuff to lead,” or X-factors. Leaders know that risk is involved with most ventures so they must be willing to do things differently. They must be innovators. And all good leaders know that they by themselves accomplish very little. They must engage with others in order to achieve sustainable goals for themselves, their teams and their organizations. Moxie is an attribute that successful leaders utilize to make a positive difference in the world in which they live.

In his keynote “MOXIE: The Secret to Bold and Gutsy Leadership,” John Baldoni will show how leaders can learn to:

• Mindfulness… Practice it consistently
• Opportunity… Capitalize on it
• X Factor… Put the “Right Stuff of Leadership” to work
• Innovation… Create pathways to success
• Engagement… Achieve intended results with others

Influencing from the Middle: Leading Your Boss & Your Peers

“Leading up” is the process of leading your organization from the middle. It requires the mindset of a CEO with the authority of a middle manager. Leading up and from the middle requires two things: influence and action. Influence is necessary to open doors so you can be heard. Action is necessary to implement your plan. Those who succeed at leading from the middle are artful and adept managers. They utilize their management skills to establish goals, plan projects, organize people, and execute projects on time and on budget.

"Influencing from the Middle" presents ways that managers can create and leverage their influence to build coalitions in order to effect positive change and achieve organizational goals.

In his presentation, John will teach how to:

• Influence up, down and across the organization
• Lead bosses and peers to achieve greater results
• Build a coalition of peers
• Create the impetus for organizational effectiveness, e.g. making good things happen
• Become an agent of positive change
• Ask the right questions at the right time
• Demonstrate authority, conviction and compassion
• Deliver practical tips for leaders who must communicate, delegate, manage and inspire