Here are some thoughts to help you motivate others to buy-in to your ideas:
 
𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆. You do NOT need to make-up situations and lie to #communicate persuasively. By being authentic and real with people, you’re putting yourself in a position to make a genuine...

Here’s what I mean…

Let's use a writer like J.K. Rowlings as an example...

Twelve different publishing houses rejected her manuscript before she finally found a publisher.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was first published on June 26, 1997.

Years before LinkedIn became...

Last week, I was teaching my 9-year-old how to set goals, so I used one of my BIG goals as an example. 

He lit up with excitement as we spent an hour going through numerous details.

He even gave me some good suggestions.

At the end of the conversation, he said, "awesome; now you can prove to...

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Claire Davis and Matt Zaun talk about how they created a storytelling system and positioned it to boost sales and enhance their marketing efforts.

CLAIRE DAVIS BIO: Claire is a branding consultant that helps people write their stories.  The Stories With...

I’ve never quite understood it. When a speaker cries in front of an audience, they’re connecting with people on one of the deepest levels. 

Should they apologize for being real?

Should they apologize for being vulnerable?

Should they apologize for giving a glimpse into their...

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Jacob Brown and Matt Zaun talk about how to turn failure into fuel for growth.

JACOB BROWN BIO: Jacob is a former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, transformational speaker, and writer.

For more info, check out Jacob here:
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PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Lori Halverson and Matt Zaun talk about the motivational level of leaders and how this can impact their company culture.  In addition, they dive into the importance of keeping everyone accountable regardless of generation.

LORI HALVERSON BIO: Lori is the...

SHOW NOTES:

PODCAST EPISODES MENTIONED:

Stories of Leadership

How to Get Involved in Politics

SUMMARY: In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss ways leaders can get more involved in their communities and why it’s important.

TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence served as a...

Wanna piss off your prospects?

-Talk about yourself all the time
-How awesome your company is 
-How many achievements you have

Yadi-yadi-ya

Wanna captivate your prospects?

-Share stories where they see themselves in your story!

People want to feel that they can trust you, and the quickest way you can build that trust is through storytelling.

In addition, people are yearning for a real connection.

Understanding this is an opportunity for you and a chance to empower people through your personal and business #stories.

...

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY: In this episode, Mike Kramer and Matt Zaun talk about how business leaders can implement simple strategies that will lead to significant growth.

MIKE KRAMER BIO: Mike is the founder of ManageHub, which provides mid-market and smaller organizations leadership and coaching...

I learned how to drive in my parent’s minivan while in high school. Let me tell you, I was not excited to be driving that Dodge Caravan every day during my senior year. 

You should have heard all the names I was called.

My Dad said, “take the kids' bullying and turn it into...

  The corporate culture at Starbucks was formed from an inspirational story that Howard Schultz continually shared early on in his career.

He would often tell team members of his significant financial struggles growing up and how challenging it was for him.

These stories empowered the...

I remember my Dad telling me that when I was growing up because I was reading a lot of newspapers and magazines.

His point was to read more material (like novels and non-fiction), where the author put more time and energy into writing.

Social media is even lower-level writing than newspapers.

You...

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY: In this episode, Chanel Cook and Matt Zaun talk about how business leaders can give back through nonprofit work.

CHANEL COOK BIO: Chanel is the Public Affairs Officer at the Erie VA Medical Center.  In addition, she is an Adjunct Instructor at Mercyhurst University, where...

One of my mentors shared something with me that fundamentally changed my life. Took a while for me to truly grasp the magnitude of these words, but here they are...

“𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.”

Read that again.

No wonder you're so stressed.

In business, we often...

Years ago, I had a boss that was a genius.

I asked him one day why his writing didn't reflect his IQ.    

“John, why do you use simple words in your emails and newsletters?  Don't you want to impress people with your knowledge?”

“Matt, some people use complex words...

SHOW NOTES:

PODCAST SUMMARY: In this episode, Erik Wolf and Matt Zaun talk about the disconnect between C-suite, sales, and marketing and what can be done to change that.

ERIK WOLF BIO: Erik is the founder and CEO of estound, which is an award-winning fractional marketing department for...

I’ve given 379 talks. This is something I wish I would have known years ago...
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...how to warm up a room.

Your talk begins long before you open your mouth.

Talking to a room of 50 people or less? If you have time, shake every hand in the room before you begin your presentation.

...

Don’t focus on company core values, at least the words of those values; focus on your company core stories that exemplify your core values!

Prove to me the values you say you have.  Storytelling paints the picture. 

Share more stories!

Are you on track to hit your goals for 2023? If so, congrats, keep up the outstanding work!  If not, why?  Have you kept the same habits?

In one of my favorite books, The Power of Habit, the author, Charles Duhigg, says, “Habits exist so we can get the rewards we want.”

...