Whether it’s striving to achieve a professional target or trying to conquer a personal challenge, resilience plays a huge part in our everyday lives. The more resilient we are, the more successfully we can navigate those challenges – and that’s where our specialised resilience speakers can help.
Years of experience providing motivational speakers that specialise in the area of resilience has shown us that these speakers come in many forms, and from a variety of backgrounds. Some have overcome immense physical challenges after a life-changing accident, some have studied for years to develop expertise in a particular area, such as teaching sales teams to be more resilient. And some are dedicated to providing a more holistic solution to building resilience and boosting performance through techniques such as mindfulness.
Whichever resilience speaker you choose, rest assured that you’ll be providing your team with the tools to help them cope when things don’t go to plan. And that helps guard against stress and burnout, creating a happier, healthier and more productive workforce – an environment where your employees and your business can thrive.
We have a some of the world’s leading experts from a broad range of life experiences ready to share their own inspiring stories of resilience with your team. Their engaging presentations, packed full of practical tips and advice, will help your staff perform better under pressure, and bounce back quicker when things go wrong.
Our Top 5 Resilience Speakers
1. Michael Licenblat: Sales resilience
While businesses invest substantial sums of money into educating their sales teams on aspects like finding leads, effective questioning and refining their closing skills, Michael Licenblat believes they often overlook the key force impacting sales – the salesperson’s ability to handle resistance and rejections. In his presentations, Michael provides practical techniques for recovering quickly from challenges, dealing effectively with negativity and developing a more resilient mental attitude. Read more about Michael here.
2. Sophie Delezio: Personal resilience
Sophie Delezio is a survivor. Critically injured in a car crash at two years of age, Sophie sustained burns to 85% of her body, lost a hand and both legs below the knee. And then, in another tragic accident just two years later, she suffered a brain injury and multiple fractures. Her determination to live life to the full and embrace every opportunity in the years since has been a true lesson in resilience, and one she shares with honesty, integrity and a good dose of humour. Read more about Sophie here.
3. Dr. Amy Silver: Resilience in the face of fear
Psychologist and bestselling author, Dr. Amy Silver, believes that one of the biggest leadership challenges we face is managing our fear – our automatic, unconscious response to pressure. In her presentations, Amy breaks down the psychology behind fear and provides practical tools for moving beyond it to a more helpful response. The result? Deeper connections, more influence over decisions, quicker action, more calm and more fun! Read more about Amy here.
4. Ciara Lancaster: Change resilience
Bestselling author Ciara Lancaster is passionate about helping people transcend the chaos that comes from endless, fast-paced workplace change. Using a blend of psychology, neuroscience and change management techniques, Ciara presents a 3-step framework to overcoming change fatigue. Designed to ready teams for change with more optimism, energy and self-belief, her presentations include stress management and mindset hacks as well as self-care and self-leadership strategies for sustainable success. Read more about Ciara here.
5. Chelsea Pottenger: Mental resilience
Australia’s poster girl for mental health and mindfulness, Chelsea Pottenger, is on a mission to empower high performance through mindfulness. Her presentations are packed with actionable insights to help teams perform at their best without feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Teams will discover the power of emotional flexibility and adaptability in building resilience and grit, and learn techniques to boost their creative thinking, improve their gut health and better their overall physical and mental performance. Read more about Chelsea here.
“Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business.” – Richard Branson
Wellbeing isn’t just good for your people, it’s good for your bottom line too.
In this hyperconnected, hybrid work environment we now live in, workplace wellbeing has never been more important… or more of a challenge.
In an age where competition for talent is fierce, business uncertainty is high and ‘quiet quitting’ is an actual thing, creating a culture that prioritises employee health and happiness isn’t just the ‘right thing to do’ – it’s good business too.
Research clearly shows a positive correlation between employee wellbeing and company performance across a wide variety of indicators, including firm valuations, gross profits and stock market performance. And if that’s not enough motivation, failing to look after the wellbeing of employees is now a punishable offence under new Australian Work Health and Safety laws.
Bottom line? It’s time to create a culture that prioritises wellbeing. And happily, we have some of the world’s best wellbeing speakers on hand to help you!
Australia’s Top 10 Wellbeing Speakers
These 10 passionate and inspiring wellbeing experts are the best in the business, and we’d love to introduce you…
1. Ben Crowe
As mindset and performance coach of some of the world’s most influential leaders, as well as superstars like Aussie tennis legends Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott and world surfing champ Steph Gilmore, Ben Crowe knows a thing or two about winning mindsets. He’s committed to helping people find purpose, confidence and a competitive advantage while living fulfilling lives, and does it by sharing high-performance principles and emphasising the importance of authenticity, vulnerability and storytelling. Read more about Ben here.
2. Emma Murray
With a background in psychology and athletics, leading mindfulness and high-performance coach Emma Murray helps people from all walks of life overcome mental challenges to reach peak performance. Known as ‘the secret weapon’ behind Richmond Football Club’s premiership success, Emma’s strategies are focused on present moment awareness, emotional regulation and sustained focus. With practices rooted in mindfulness and high-performance psychology, Emma is dedicated to empowering people to excel in every moment of their lives. Read more about Emma here
3. Chelsea Pottenger
Chelsea Pottenger is Australia’s poster girl for mental health and mindfulness, regularly featured in the media as a leading authority on wellbeing. As an accredited mindfulness and meditation coach, Chelsea works with organisations to prioritise employee wellbeing, with major clients including global brands like eBay, Uber, Estee Lauder and Mercedes Benz. She’s also a proud ambassador for mental health charities including R U OK? and The Gidget Foundation, and has over 100,000 Instagram followers! Read more about Chelsea here.
4. Stephanie Bown
With extensive education and expertise in psychology, neuropsychology, positive psychology and organisational dynamics, Stephanie Bownoffers deep insights into individual and team dynamics. As a transformational change expert and high-performance coach, Stephanie’s mission is to help people reach their full potential by guiding them to lead purpose-driven, successful and well-balanced lives. Stephanie also wrote ‘Purpose, Passion & Performance’, awarded one of Australia’s top 3 leadership books in 2021. Read more about Stephanie here.
5. Mark Bunn
Bestselling author and former AFL footballer, Mark Bunn, draws from a blend of Western science, Eastern medicine and insights from some of the world’s healthiest and highest performing people to provide practical tips for improving resilience, positivity and overall wellbeing. Mark focuses on addressing health issues such as stress, poor sleep, low motivation and burnout, and has coached communities, schools and organisations like NAB, Westpac, Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce and AMP. Read more about Mark here.
6. Leanne Hall
As an integrative psychologist, personal trainer and nutrition coach, Leanne Hall has been transforming lives for over 15 years. Passionate about holistic health and wellbeing, Leanne guides people on a wide variety of topics, including beauty myths, self-esteem, body image, relationships, parenting and mental health. Promoting self-care through a combination of positive psychology and mindfulness techniques, Leanne inspires people to prioritise their mind and body. Read more about Leanne here.
7. Andrew May
Andrew May is a globally recognised workplace performance and leadership strategist with a background in high-performance sports. Partnering with organisations worldwide to establish cultures of wellbeing, Andrew delivers scientifically proven strategies for lasting change. He’s a coach and confidante to many of Asia Pacific’s leading CEO’s, executives and entrepreneurs, has worked with Olympians and is the Mental Skills Coach of the Paramatta Eels NRL Team. He’s also a published author and regular media contributor! Read more about Andrew here.
8. Dr. Michael Nagel
Dr. Michael Nagel is an Associate Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he teaches and researches in the areas of cognition, human development, behaviour and learning. He also helps workplaces incorporate mindfulness practices to tackle the increasing demands and challenges leading to stress, decreased productivity, employee absenteeism and burnout. Michael unpacks the neuroscience around mindfulness and provides practical strategies to help facilitate improved communication and enhanced workplace relationships. Read more about Michael here.
9. Luke Mathers
Luke Mathers is a stress expert and performance coach who uses neuroscience, ancient wisdom and his years of experience running successful businesses to help people harness the power of stress. Luke has helped Olympians, top CEOs, brands and teams, providing practical strategies to reduce burnout and change areas of their life that need to change. Having learned from his own experience in transforming industries, Luke helps people embrace challenges and reset how they look at stress in order to achieve optimal performance. Read more about Luke here.
10. Dr. Amy Silver
Dr. Amy Silver is a psychologist and bestselling author who is regularly featured in the media talking about how fear and other emotions impact our work. With three decades of clinical experience, Amy also holds multiple degrees, including a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Masters in Forensic Psychiatry and a Masters in Performance, and has taught and researched at Oxford University. A globally recognised expert, Amy is committed to teaching people how to create psychological safety, trust and open communication in order to shape a better future. Read more about Amy here.
With some of the world’s most highly sought-after wellbeing experts to choose from, selecting Australia’s top 10 Wellbeing Speakers was a difficult task! If you’d like help creating a culture that prioritises wellbeing, and have a specific event brief for us, we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list of speaker choices… simply get in touch with us to get the ball rolling!
Want to know why Branding is the hottest speaker topic for 2023?
In a fiercely competitive marketplace, where standing out is essential for survival, you need to leave a lasting mark in the hearts and minds of your audience. You need to create an emotional connection that captures imaginations and inspires action. It’s the only way you’ll elevate your brand from ordinary to extraordinary, and it’s where our Branding Speakers shine.
For your business
Your company is more than just a logo and a bunch of products. But creating a brand that cuts through and connects with consumers is no easy feat. Done right, branding can turn your business into a living, breathing entity with a distinct voice, values and a compelling story. Whether it’s your commitment to sustainability, your unwavering dedication to quality or your rebellious spirit that challenges the status quo, clever branding helps differentiate you from the pack.
Our Branding speakers can show you how to create an emotional connection that turns your customers into a tribe of passionately loyal fans.
For your people
With the proliferation of social media, online communication and the everlasting digital footprint, everyone has a personal brand. As Jeff Bezos defines it, “Your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room” – it’s the way you’re presented to the world, and just like any brand, it needs to be crafted and curated to ensure it presents the way you want it to. Think Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Richard Branson… their personal brands aren’t what they are by accident!
Our Branding speakers can teach you and your team how to stand out (the right way) in a sea of grey suits and boring sales pitches.
Australia’s Top 10 Branding Speakers
They’ve launched and re-launched some of the most popular brands in the world and have cleverly constructed some of the most famous personal brands on the planet. Passionate, dynamic and inspiring, these 10 master storytellers are the best Branding Speakers in the business, and we’d love to introduce you…
1. Kieran Flanagan
When it comes to driving consumer engagement, there are few that understand the secrets behind influencing others to buy and ‘buy in’ better than Kieran Flanagan. With a career spanning two decades and numerous global awards, Kieran is one half of the team behind the most successful new product launch in Australian history, and one of the most successful brand resurrections in the world. She’s captivated audiences as varied as the UN, Coca-Cola and TEDx, sharing her revolutionary message that leveraging our humanity is the key to achieving lasting change and driving influence, engagement and trust. Read more about Kieran here.
2. Janine Allis
Janine Allis is the Founder of Boost Juice Bars, the largest and fastest-growing juice and smoothie chain in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 660 outlets in 12 countries. Janine developed Boost Juice and other successful brands, including Salsas Fresh Mex Grill, CIBO Espresso and Betty’s Burgers, based on her ‘love life’ philosophy. She’s received numerous domestic and international awards in digital marketing, retail, franchise and business, is a bestselling author and has starred on ‘Shark Tank’, ‘Australian Celebrity Apprentice’ and ‘Australian Survivor’. Read more about Janine here.
3. Russel Howcroft
If you’ve ever watched ABC’s ‘Gruen’ program, you’ll recognise Russel Howcroft as a much-loved regular panellist. He’s also a presenter on 3AW’s radio breakfast program, author of three best-selling books and chair of the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Regarded as the face of brand marketing and advertising in Australia, Russel has headed up some of the world’s most recognisable creative agencies, and delivered award-winning global campaigns for a raft of international clients. Read more about Russel here.
4. Amanda Stevens
Amanda Stevens is an expert in the customer experience, and is widely recognised as Australia’s leading consumer futurist. She’s passionate about what she does, sharing her insights through her blogs and best-selling books, and working with businesses to create strategies that turn customers into brand advocates. Over the last 13 years she’s worked with brands such as Microsoft, Westpac and Foxtel, delivered more than 1200 presentations in 14 countries and shared the stage with the likes of Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Richard Branson and Condoleezza Rice. Read more about Amanda here.
5. Dee Madigan
An experienced creative director, advertising executive and author, Dee Madigan is a trailblazer in the Australian advertising industry. Passionate about developing cleverly integrated and impactful campaigns, previous clients include brands like HSBC, Coca-Cola, Unilever and Nestle. Dee is also a seasoned political campaigner and appears regularly as a panelist on TV shows such as ‘Gruen’, ‘The Drum,’ and ‘The Latest’. Read more about Dee here.
6. Dan Gregory
Dan Gregory is passionate about human behaviour, and for the last 30 years has been helping entrepreneurs and executives understand what drives beliefs, behaviours and belonging so they can increase their influence, impact and income. He’s developed leadership, performance and engagement strategies for brands including Coca-Cola, Unilever and the Royal Australian Navy, and lectured at some of the world’s most prestigious creative schools. You’ll also recognise him from ABC’s ‘Gruen’ program, where his business intelligence, unique insights and sharp wit have made him a popular regular. Read more about Dan here.
7. Adam Ferrier
Adam Ferrier is a leading innovator in Australian advertising, drawing on his expertise as a consumer psychologist and brand strategist to help clients strengthen their relationships with consumers. He has authored several popular advertising books and serves on the boards of Good Thnx and TRIBE. With a track record of awards and successful clients, Adam regularly shares his insights on programs like ‘The Project’, ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and ABC Radio. Read more about Adam here.
8. Katrina McCarter
Katrina McCarter is a marketing strategist who understands the influential role of mothers in the Australian business economy. Her book, ‘Marketing to Mums: How to sell more to Australia’s most powerful consumer’, went to number 1 on Booktopia’s Business Bestsellers list, while her presentation, “Marketing to Mums: What Australian Mums want from Brands,” was voted number one for Most Valuable Content. Her expertise is frequently sought by media outlets including Channel Seven, ABC Radio, The Age and Mumbrella. Read more about Katrina here.
9. Tim Reid
Tim Reid is the founder and host of Australia’s top-ranked business marketing podcast, ‘The Small Business Big Marketing Show’. With over 590 episodes and five million downloads, Tim has built a global audience of motivated business owners. He’s also authored The Boomerang Effect, a popular marketing text, and travels the world showing business owners and marketers how to embrace modern marketing methods – without breaking the bank. Read more about Tim here.
10. Kylie Bartlett
Businesswoman, author and serial entrepreneur Kylie Bartlett helps businesses thrive in the era of social media. Known as the ‘Web Celeb’, Kylie has taught thousands of SME’s worldwide how to become ‘Web Famous’ and compete with larger companies. She draws on her challenging life experiences and her qualifications in organisational psychology and corporate training to help others create connections and community online, and shares her knowledge through mentoring and public speaking. Read more about Kylie here.
With some of the world’s best Branding Speakersto choose from, our task of selecting the 10 best was a difficult one! If you have a brief for us we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list of speakers specific to your needs… justget in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!
“Well-being creates well-doing.” – Benjamin Franklin
The future of work has arrived. With nine out of ten businesses now committed to offering employees a combination of remote and on-site work, the old office rule-book has officially been hurled out the window. But while the move has been hailed far and wide, this hyperconnected, ‘always on’ work environment poses some serious challengeswhen it comes to worker wellbeing. So how do you create a happy and healthy work environment in a world where the off button is so hard to find?
‘Workplace wellbeing’ is a bit of a fuzzy term, so let’s start by clarifying what it actually means. While there’s no singular definition, it refers to how your job – your duties, expectations, stress level and environment – affects your overall health and happiness. It encompasses mental, physical and emotional health, as well as job satisfaction and work-life balance. In a nutshell, it’s a combination of how you feel and how you function.
While workplace wellbeing has historically been more of a ‘feel-good’ line on the company charter rather than a business-critical priority, tides are changing. Thanks to a raft of global research, business leaders are now recognising that wellbeing isn’t just good for their people, it’s good for their bottom line too.
Research just released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University found that “Happier workers are not only more productive, but also less likely to leave their jobs, miss workdays for health reasons, or work while sick. They tend to be more collaborative, creative, committed to their jobs, and motivated at work.”
That same report concluded that “Company wellbeing proves to be a significant predictor of firm performance across a wide variety of indicators… higher firm valuations, higher return on assets, higher gross profits, and better stock market performance.”
PWC research reached a similar conclusion when it came to returns, finding that for every dollar spent creating a mentally healthy workplace, $2.30 in benefits can be generated for the business.
Compelling reasons to jump on board, yes?
Or how about the fact that if employers fail to look after their employee wellbeing, they can now be penalised under Australian law?
With 58% of workers burnt out at work, and more workers absent due to stress and anxiety than flu and other physical illnesses or injuries, Work Health and Safety laws have recently been amended to mandate that organisations manage psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Those hazards include factors that heavily impact wellbeing such as harassment, bullying, remote work, poor support, low job control, lack of role clarity, inadequate reward and recognition and a poor work environment.
In the end, it’s about protecting our greatest asset. As Mindfulness and meditation coach Chelsea Pottenger reminds us, “organisations are built by people. People who need motivation, care and compassion, and whose wellbeing should be as much of a business outcome as profits are.” Bravo.
Here are 8 ways you can create a culture that prioritises people, and puts their wellbeing on top of the workplace agenda.
1. Set Clear Expectations and Boundaries
High-performance coach Stephanie Bown believes that one of the best ways to avoid burnout “is by having boundaries around how and where we choose to spend our time, so that we replenish our energy and enable ourselves to focus when we need to, with our families, in our workplaces, with our friends.”
Elite performance coach Mark Bunn is also a firm believer in boundaries, saying “Life these days is full of requests for our time, energy & expertise. As we like to be needed and feel that we are ‘giving’ to others, we can quickly find ourselves using up all our time…and thus having none left for ourselves.”
Boundaries are critical for wellbeing in our hybrid work world, and establishing clear guidelines and expectations for remote and in-office employees is crucial for maintaining them. Encourage everyone to respect boundaries regarding working hours, availability and response times, and avoid scheduling meetings or sending non-urgent messages outside of agreed work hours.
2. Communicate Openly
Implement regular check-ins between with employees to provide support, monitor their workload and address any concerns or challenges. Encourage two-way feedback and create a safe space for employees to share their experiences, perspectives and suggestions for improvement.
Not only does this open line of communication help foster trust and transparency, it also encourages the free flow of information and ideas – essential for connection, engagement and innovation. And as an added bonus, employees who feel their voice is heard are 4.6 times more likely to do their best work!
3.Promote Work-Life Balance Initiatives
Implementing and promoting work-life balance initiatives that benefit all employees, whether remote or in-office, is a great way to reinforce your commitment to worker wellbeing. Flexible leave policies, a family-friendly work environment, designated no-meeting days, flexible scheduling and the option to work from alternative locations (home / café / beach!) are popular ways to encourage a more balanced lifestyle.
4. Encourage Self-Care
In a hybrid setting, being able to disconnect and recharge is absolutely essential – as novelist Anne Lamot famously said, “Almost everything will work again if we unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” Encourage employees to step away from their workspace to stretch, go for a walk or engage in other activities that help them relax. Self-care should be scheduled in as a non-negotiable priority for every employee.
As one of Australia’s leading authorities on mental wellbeing, Chelsea Pottenger makes the distinction that “Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s self-preservation.” She suggests encouraging employees to incorporate small self-care rituals into their day, such as 5 minutes of meditation in the morning, believing that even little acts can have a big impact on wellbeing.
Clinical psychologist, personal trainer and nutrition coach Leanne Hall also advocates for self-care, suggesting that we should all be “doing one thing for ourself each day. It may be a pedicure, bubble bath at the end of the day, movie with a friend, or even an early night!”
5. Offer Wellness Resources and Programs
According to Ben Crowe, mentor and mindset coach to stars including Ash Barty, Stephanie Gilmore and the Australian cricket team, we need to focus more on “the human being, less so on the human doing.”
Think about providing access to wellness resources, such as virtual wellness workshops, stress management techniques or resilience-building programs, or offer subscriptions to wellness apps and platforms that provide guidance on nutrition and mental wellbeing.
While mindfulness and meditation training helps to relieve stress, it’s not only employees that benefit – business does too. According to internationally acclaimed Author and Educator, Dr. Michael Nagel, this type of training “promotes mental health for the individual and can assist in facilitating clear and constructive communication, and enhancing workplace relationships.”
And don’t forget to encourage regular physical activity as well – virtual fitness classes, an on-site gym, lunchtime run club or yoga classes are a fantastic way to encourage physical activity and connection for both remote and in-office employees.
6. Provide Continuous Learning and Development
Professional development is a highly valued asset in the workforce. According to LinkedIn’s 2021 Workplace Learning Report, 76% of Gen Z’s believe learning is the key to a successful career, while another study found that 94% of global employees would stay longer at a company if it invested in their career development.
Prioritising and investing in the development of your workers helps them feel valued and empowered, boosting engagement, job satisfaction and retention rates. Encourage employees to set goals and support their career development by providing opportunities for virtual learning, mentorship, online training programs, relevant motivational speakers and access to industry conferences.
Keep in mind that while embracing a culture of continuous learning helps employees stay at the top of their game, it also enables them to adjust to evolving business circumstances – and that keeps your business agile and competitive too!
7. Celebrate Achievements and Milestones
Everyone likes to feel valued and be recognised for their achievements, milestones and contributions – and celebrating them is an easy way to keep employees happy and improve retention. In fact, not doing so can be pretty harmful – Employment Hero’s 2023 Talent Insights Report found that 24% of employees would actually search for another job if there was a lack of proper recognition.
Personalised appreciation messages, company-wide announcements, virtual recognition programs, awards nights, rewards schemes, in-person celebrations, additional leave days – all are fantastic ways to foster a positive and supportive work environment.
8. Support Social Connections
Human beings are inherently social creatures, and our connections with other people play a major role in our general wellbeing. So it makes sense that the people we spend most of our waking hours dealing with, our workmates, can have a huge impact on our wellbeing too.
Employers that promote positive social connections in the workplace can expect a more engaged and satisfied workforce, with enhanced collaboration, productivity and creativity also providing a significant boost to business.
There are plenty of opportunities to bring team members together to foster a sense of camaraderie and belonging, both virtually and in-person. Collaborative team projects and brainstorming, mentorship and networking opportunities, team-building activities, lunchtime chats, team meetings, wellbeing workshops, casual social gatherings, breakout spaces… the list is only as long as your imagination!
The research clearly proves that ‘workplace wellbeing’ is now a business imperative. Creating a culture that places wellbeing at the forefront contributes to a happier and more productive workforce and a better bottom line. And although our hybrid world, where the off button is hard to find and the lines between work and home are hazy, makes it more of a challenge – it’s absolutely possible. Because in the end, it’s pretty simple… in the wise words of Richard Branson, “Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business.”
Everyone has a right to feel safe at work. When things go wrong, the consequences can be heartbreaking – the distress, the trauma, the financial impact, not only for workers, but for their families and the businesses they work for too. That’s why work safety isn’t just a legal obligation, it’s a moral one. So take the opportunityNational Safe Work Month provides to reinforce your commitment to building a safe and healthy workplace – it’s the right thing to do!
The 2023 campaign theme – ‘For everyone’s safety, work safely’ – has just been released, and it’s a valuable reminder that the physical and mental safety of workers should be a priority for every business.
According to the latest Work Health and Safety Statistics, there were 130,195 workplace injury claims lodged in Australia during 2020/21, on top of 169 tragic fatalities. But it’s not just physical injuries that are taking their toll – mental health conditions are on the rise, accounting for 9.3% of all serious injury claims. And with an average downtime of 30.7 weeks of work and $55,270 in compensation per claim, it’s one of the costliest forms of workplace injury.
Workplace mental health is becoming such an issue that amended Work Health and Safety laws, which came into effect on April 1, now mandate that organisations manage psychosocial hazards in the workplace. Those hazards include bullying, harassment, low job control, remote work, poor support, lack of role clarity, inadequate reward and recognition and a poor work environment. And with punitive actions taken for workplaces that fail to act proactively to prevent those hazards, it’s in everyone’s best interests to prioritise the physical and mental health of all employees.
So what can your business do to help reduce work-related injuries?
The key is to educate staff on health and safety initiatives, and continually reinforce the importance of working together to keep the workplace safe. And one of the best ways to do that is to organise a WorkplaceHealth and Safety event for all employees.
Along with internal stakeholders who can highlight important safety messages as well as relevant policies and procedures, a motivational speaker with interesting ‘workplace’ experience can really push the message home. With fascinating stories to tell and a brilliant ability to captivate an audience, the right speaker can make an enormous impact and help drive genuine change in your workplace.
We have a range of wonderfully entertaining speakers for you to choose from – their unique workplace stories are guaranteed to captivate your team… and put a whole new spin on workplace health and safety!
While National Safe Work Month is a fantastic opportunity to focus on the importance of workplace health and safety, the overall health and safety of your staff should be a year-round priority. So use your event to show your team that you’re doing everything you can to keep them safe and healthy, every day of the year!
If you would like us to introduce you to any of the motivational speakers above, or need some assistance selecting the right speaker for your specific event, simply get in touch with us for a chat – we’re here to help!
“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi
While there’s been much talk about ‘returning to the office’, and the various incentives being dangled to lure workers back, there’s absolutely no doubt hybrid and remote work is here to stay. Sweatpants aside, the perks of flexible work are enormous – and thanks to the recent digital communication boom, businesses are easily able to keep everyone connected. But what if the cost of that connection is, ironically, the emergence of more isolated teams? Teams that communicate more amongst themselves, but less between each other? And how do we to get everyone working together again?
According to Harvard Business School research, many companies around the world experienced a similar ‘siloing’ issue during the pandemic days of remote work. The study of 360 billion emails between workers at 4,000 organisations revealed that employees digitally split off into more isolated and well-defined groups – and although communication within those stand-alone groups intensified, communication between them dropped markedly.
Now, even with remote mandates long gone, those communication silos remain. And those silos, according to Author Pearl Zhu, “are not just physical structures, they are also mental constructs that inhibit communication and collaboration.”
Alison Hill, respected Author, business coach and psychologist, believes that without the ad hoc cross-pollination that occurs organically in an office setting, or the pull towards collaborative problem-solving or project coordination across divisions, collaboration between teams is the biggest challenge we face with a dispersed workforce.
And unfortunately, when people focus solely on their own role and team, they can lose sight of how their work impacts the bigger picture. It can also breed a ‘silo mentality’, an ugly ‘us v’s them’ mindset between departments that creates competition, interdepartmental turf wars and a lack of cooperation – not exactly the makings of a thriving company culture.
So how do you create a coordinated business from a collection of stand-alone groups? How can you facilitate cross-functional knowledge sharing, create greater efficiencies, collaboration and cooperation? How can you build stronger relationships between departments? Glad you asked…
3 Ways to Reconnect Your Teams
1) Share the big picture
“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the people to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Lencioni, in his book ‘Silos, Politics and Turf Wars’, declared that businesses should have a “a rallying cry” that brings people together across divisions. A common purpose that stirs people’s passion and binds people together.
There’s a great story about John F. Kennedy that epitomises this shared purpose connection. During his visit to NASA in 1962, JFK noticed a janitor carrying a broom. He walked over to him, introduced himself, and asked “What are you doing?” The janitor proudly responded, “Well Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.” True or not, it’s pretty powerful stuff.
Research clearly shows that employees want to be part of something larger and more important than themselves. As Simon Sinek says in his famous Ted Talk, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” They want to work for a company with a purpose they can get behind, to feel personally connected to the company’s purpose and to feel like they’re contributing to it.
Phill Nosworthy, renowned futurist, executive advisor and speaker, also advocates for the ‘why’, saying “Your brand wins when you have people addicted to coming to work because that’s the place they know they can make it count.”
Disney’s purpose is to create happiness. Patagonia’s is to save our home planet. Nike wants to bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world. Starbucks wants to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time.
What’s your company’s purpose? It’s real beating heart? Get it right, and it can be your rallying cry, the unifying ‘why’ that brings everyone together.
2) Create a collaborative culture
Imagine this… you go to a classical concert and find the violinist, the cellist, the pianist and the conductor all facing different directions, doing their own thing. On their own their work may be beautiful… but when they work together? That’s when the real magic happens.
Recent research conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) and Rob Cross, Professor of Global Business at Babson College, found that companies that promoted collaborative working were 5 times more likely to be high performing than those that didn’t. And for employees, simply feeling like you’re part of a team working on a task results in higher engagement, lower fatigue and a higher success rate according to one Stanford study.
Collaboration works on so many levels. Contrary to the popular saying, great minds don’t always think alike. In fact, great minds think very differently, and it’s when you put those different minds together – with their unique experiences, skills and perspectives – that really special things happen.
Holly Ransom, globally recognised speaker and disruption strategist, believes that “In an age of intensifying digital echo chambers, breaking from routine thinking and giving ourselves over to unconventional collaborative experiences is paramount to creativity, critical thinking and empathy.”
So how can you build a more collaborative culture, where individuals and teams work together to share ideas, achieve common goals and create magic? Here are some ideas to get you started:
– Reward collaborative efforts rather than individual ones. A little gratitude and public acknowledgment goes a long way!
– Slack, Asana, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Trello… digital tools have made remote collaboration easy. Ask for responses via chat, do a quick poll, have everyone add their input to a shared document, build an information hub everyone can access – regardless of where or how you’re working, the opportunities to collaborate are endless.
– For a fun way to help people get to know each other, create regular cross-functionalteam-building opportunities.
– Select specific individuals to be conduits between departments / teams – these point people need to be excellent communicators and comfortable across all sections of the business.
– Hire people who will be adept at networking and collaborating, and reinforce the importance of those skills through the onboarding process.
– Provide staff training and continuous learning in areas like teamwork, emotional intelligence, conscious communication and networking.
– Create informal shared spaces to encourage organic cross-departmental mingling. Throw in some couches, a ping-pong table, encourage hot-desking – whatever suits your culture. Face-to-face conversation and social interaction increase engagement between individuals and departments, so make the most of the time people are in the office!
3) Foster open communication
Open communication is essential for facilitating a collaborative work environment where people feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgement or repercussion. It’s not only great for employee morale, but for business too – employees who feel their voice is heard are 4.6 times more likely to be empowered to do their best work!
A safe space where people can share their perspectives also helps foster trust and transparency, encouraging the free flow of information and ideas – essential for engagement, inclusion, connection and innovation.
Here are some ways you can foster open communication in the workplace:
– Keep the doors open. If doors are always closed, people won’t share their views or concerns.
– Encourage employees to speak up and share their ideas and concerns openly and honestly. Empower them to speak up!
– Regularly solicit feedback from employees (and act on it) – it helps build trust and transparency, and ensures people feel heard and valued.
– Encourage managers to activelylisten and respond constructively to employee feedback.
– Create an environment where people feel comfortable challenging the status quo – reward out-of-the-box thinking.
– Be invested in employee goals as much as business goals – it’s a two-way street.
– Ensure leaders are approachable, and get to know staff on a personal level too. It’s difficult to be honest with people you don’t know.
– Create open channels ofcommunication. Regular team meetings, internal newsletters, anonymous suggestion boxes, employee surveys – there are plenty of tools you can use to keep the lines open.
Building strong inter-departmental relationships takes time and a co-ordinated effort from all levels of the business. But there’s no doubt that those relationships build higher-functioning, more profitable and innovative organisations. They also build more engaged, connected and happier teams – and as Matthew Woodring Stover said, “If you take out the team in teamwork, it’s just work. Now who wants that?”
We have some of the world’s best leadership and communication experts, including Simon Sinek, Anthony Laye, Phill Nosworthy, Alison Hilland Holly Ransom, ready to help your teams build stronger inter-departmental relationships to harness the power of collaboration. If you’d like us to introduce you, simply get in touch with us for a chat!
Ever squirmed your way through an event punctuated by flat jokes, painful silences and awkward transitions? Or a fundraiser where the only thing raised by the crowd was the event organiser’s temperature? Then you’ve probably met Bob from Accounts, whose performance at the Director’s 50th birthday bash back in 2015 secured him that excruciating gig as MC.
No offence to Bob, but not everyone gets to claim true ‘master’ status. Rembrandt had to earn his stripes. Andy Allen had to win his. But Bob? He probably doesn’t have the specialist skills and experience befitting a genuine Master of Ceremonies.
You wouldn’t leave your event AV to someone simply because they’ve got a cranking stereo system at home. So why leave Bob in charge of the crowd?
We know the blood, sweat and tears that go into planning an event. We also know all those hours of painstaking work can be destroyed in an instant by hiring the wrong MC. You have a million things to worry about, but your MC doesn’t need to be one of them.
What does a good MC bring to the event?
Magic. Not saw-a-woman-in-half type of magic, but the ingenious ability to create the right energy and tone for the night. To keep everything running on time and to plan, filling gaps, improvising and keeping everyone engaged. To maintain a flow, smoothly segueing from one topic to the next, cleverly weaving presentations together, connecting the audience to the speakers.
Good MC’s do more than just run through housekeeping. They know how to read the audience and adjust on the fly, reigning in talkative tables, keeping the focus, all while working the room to make sure objectives are met. Need more bids on a silent auction? The MC will make it happen. Need people to dig deep for a cause? The MC will inspire them to give generously.
Think of an MC like the conductor of an orchestra, guiding and directing performers to keep everyone seamlessly in sync, bringing all the instruments together to create beautiful music.
Without a skilled conductor, the orchestra is chaotic and disjointed. But with the right MC? You can create a symphony.
Australia’s Top 10 MC’s
1. Hamish and Andy
Hamish and Andy are Australia’s most popular media duo, renowned for their larrikin humour and talent as entertainers, writers and comedians. The ‘Hamish and Andy Show’ was the highest-rating radio show in Australian history, while their ‘Gap Year’ TV travel show earned the boys three Silver Logies, while Hamish also won Silver and Gold individual Logies. The duo has been just as successful in podcasting, topping the iTunes charts with the Number 1 Australian radio podcast. Read more about Hamish and Andy here.
2. Carrie Bickmore
Carrie Bickmore is a highly experienced media personality, best known for co-hosting Network Ten’s ‘The Project’ and her extensive work in radio. She has interviewed some of the world’s highest profile celebrities and has won multiple Logie awards thanks to her talent for combining comedy and news in a relaxed, relatable style. Carrie is also passionate about her charity work, and has raised over $17 million for brain cancer through her charity, Carries Beanies 4 Brain Cancer. Read more about Carrie here.
3. Kitty Flanagan
Kitty Flanagan is one of Australia’s favourite comedians and is a regular on TV shows including ‘The Project’ and ‘Have You Been Paying Attention?’. Breathtakingly hilarious and exceptionally talented, Kitty has performed to sell-out crowds at comedy festivals worldwide, worked on English TV program ‘The Sketch Show,’ written for BBC, Channel Four and Sky Television in the UK, made a short film titled ‘Dating Ray Fenwick’ and created and starred in ABC’s popular comedy show, ‘Fisk’. Read more about Kitty here.
4. Anthony Laye
Anthony Laye is a world-renowned entertainer, keynote speaker and MC. His skills as a mentalist and expert communicator allow him to create unforgettable experiences for audiences, with his performances combining breathtaking illusions, mind-reading and games to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Adept at expertly piloting the entire event experience, Anthony is famous for creating a lasting impression. Read more about Anthony here.
5. Ed Kavalee
Ed Kavalee is a popular Australian actor, comedian and radio host famous for his lightning-fast improvisation skills and comedic timing. He’s been a regular on the radio as well as on TV shows including ‘Thank God You’re Here’ and ‘Have You Been Paying Attention?’. Ed also starred in the Australian film ‘Any Questions for Ben?’ and co-wrote and produced the tele-features ‘Scumbus’ and ‘Border Protection Squad’. Read more about Ed here.
6. Melissa Doyle
Melissa Doyle is an award-winning journalist with 30 years of experience in the Australian media. She has covered significant news events as host of Channel Seven’s Sunrise and public affairs programs, with her experience as a live anchor covering breaking news earning her numerous journalism awards including a Walkley Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards. Melissa was also made a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the community. Read more about Melissa here.
7. Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Natalie Bassingthwaighte is one of Australia’s most versatile entertainers, excelling as an actress, singer and host. With regular appearances on TV shows like ‘Neighbours’ and ‘Underbelly’, Nat also achieved global success as a solo artist and with her band, The Rogue Traders. Nat’s warm and bubbly personality also made her a popular mentor on shows like ‘The X Factor’, while she received multiple Logie nominations as host of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. Read more about Nat here.
8. Waleed Aly
Waleed Aly rose to prominence as a spokesperson for the Australian Muslim community and co-host of Ten’s ‘The Project’. He’s a frequently published political and social commentator, as well as a qualified lawyer and White Ribbon Day Ambassador. Awarded numerous accolades, including the Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Australian TV Personality and multiple Silver Logies for Best Presenter, Waleed is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most popular media talents. Read more about Waleed here.
9. Julia Morris
Julia Morris is an accomplished and highly sought-after entertainer, with over three decades of experience in the media. She has won several prestigious awards for her stand-up comedy, writing and television work, with hosting and acting credits including ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ and ‘House Husbands’, numerous Broadway musicals and sell-out stand-up comedy shows at every major comedy festival in the world. Read more about Julia here.
10. Chrissie Swan
Chrissie Swan is an award-winning media personality with two decades of experience in television and radio. Her hosting credits include Nova 100’s ‘Chrissie, Sam & Browny’ breakfast show and ‘The Chrissie Swan Show’, as well as TV programs including ‘The Circle’, ‘Can of Worms’, ‘Would I Lie to You?’ and ‘The Masked Singer’. With true down-to-earth Aussie relatability, Chrissie is one of Australia’s favourite public figures. Read more about Chrissie here.
The right MC for your event will depend on the demographics of your audience and the tone you want to set. What’s right for a construction industry Awards Night won’t necessarily work for a beauty product launch or a fundraising gala! If you have a brief for us we’d be happy to provide you with a curated list of MC’s specific to your needs… justget in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!
“Event Management will be fun” they said. Famous people! Glitz and glamour! Free cocktails! But if you’ve ever found yourself awake at 3am, surrounded by empty coffee cups and half-eaten pizza, wondering why you didn’t choose a less stressful career like defusing bombs or wrestling crocodiles, you’re not alone.
Official CareerCast and CareerAddict studies have found that Event Management is only slightly less stressful than running into a burning building… or landing a multi-million-dollar aircraft with hundreds of people onboard. If that comes as no surprise, never fear – we’ve got your back!
We understand that your job is the ultimate test of sanity, patience and caffeine tolerance. We know what it takes for you to flawlessly execute an event from start to finish – dealing with dates, times, venues, sponsorship, suppliers, marketing, technical requirements, catering, sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, entertainers, colleagues, attendees, random stakeholders… the list goes on.
We know you wear at least a dozen hats – you’re an Accountant, a Health and Safety Manager, a Catering Supervisor, a PR Manager, a Venue Inspector and a social media guru, just to name a few.
Having spent more time with Event Managers over the last 25+ years than we have with our own families (just kidding, kinda), we’re confident we’ve got a good handle on the top pressure points of your job. And while there may not be actual lives at stake, we know that these 5 triggers can send your stress levels through the roof…
1. Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines
You’ve probably got several projects on the go at once, all with different lead times, objectives, stakeholders and budgets. You’re juggling a million balls and facing constant interruptions, switching between tasks, firing off emails, fielding phone calls and jumping into meetings. And all the while, deadlines are looming – to lock in your speaker, source entertainment, confirm the venue, choose your menu, get the invites out, lock in sponsors, sort out presentations… So. Many. Deadlines.
2. High visibility and intense scrutiny
The pressure is off the charts. Once your event is underway, you don’t get another shot at it. There are no second chances. You’re responsible for everything and everyone, you’re the public face of the event. And you’ll be judged by your attendees, your peers and your bosses on that one day alone… not the other 364 that have gone into making it happen. When it works? You’re the star of the show. But when it doesn’t?
3. Murphy’s Law
You’ve been planning this for months. You’ve meticulously calculated all the risks under the sun (and some under the sea), walked the venue backwards, co-ordinated the tables, styled the room, selected a scrumptious menu catering to every known intolerance, curated the content, created the run sheet, rehearsed and tested the AV. You’ve anticipated every likely scenario and planned contingencies like a ninja. Yet… supplier stuff-ups, natural disasters, a freeway breakdown, tech fails, a medical emergency in the crowd – if there’s a crisis to be had, Murphy’s Law says it’ll happen on your big day.
4. Physical demands
While the free travel and exotic event destinations of your jet-setting job may have sucked you in initially, you rarely get time to enjoy any of it. Early mornings, late nights and weekends, most of them spent on your feet, go with the territory. As do flight delays, jet lag, a sore back and aching feet. Hours spent upright or travelling from one event to the next can take a serious toll on your physical health, with no downtime to rest and relax (or visit the chiro).
5. Budgets
It’s a given – you’ll be asked to go bigger and better than last time, more wow factor, double the R.O.I and half the budget. I see you nodding, you know the drill. Your negotiating skills are next level, honed through hours of Bali-esque style haggling with vendors, deftly balancing ego’s and expectations like a big-top tightrope walker. ‘Miscellaneous’ expenses have you breaking out in a sweat, and you’ve become a pro at mentally re-calculating whether there’s enough padding in your contingency line.
Living the dream, right?
But we’re not here just to validate your daily struggles – we’re here to take some of the load off your over-burdened shoulders and help show the world what a rockstar event warrior you are.
How we can help you
While we know your event is the culmination of a million tiny puzzle pieces fitting together, we also know that your speaker can make or break your event. We’re here to put your mind at rest (you may not recognise the feeling).
– We know talent. And we know there’s a huge difference between a speaker and the right speaker. With an extensive network and years of experience, we know which speakers will connect with your audience, which ones will make them laugh, make them cry, make them fist-pump the air and have them standing on their seats for a second curtain call. Our speakers deliver.
– We’re more than just a booking agent. We’ll source and recommend options, book and brief the perfect speaker and take care of every single detail related to their appearance so you can concentrate on the rest of your to-do list. Fee negotiation, juggling schedules and gatekeepers, contracts, pre-event calls, travel, AV requirements, presentations – logistics are our jam.
– We’ve got top-tier speaker options to suit every budget. Just tell us what you’re looking for and what your budget is, and we’ll find a speaker that will blow your audience’s socks off. We understand it’s all about impact.
– There are no hidden costs, ever. We don’t even charge an admin fee. Your contingency line is safe with us, we promise!
– This isn’t our first rodeo. Through years of experience, we know who plays well with who in the speaker world. So if you’re booking a panel of speakers, we’ll make sure they have the chemistry to set the right tone for the night.
We understand your inner control freak is shouting right now, but rest assured we’ve got you. We’re your fairy godmother, your secret weapon, your superhero sidekick, your trusty wingman. And we’ll make you look like a superstar.
Got an event coming up? We’d love to provide you with a curated list of speakers to suit your needs… justget in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!
“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar
Nature versus nurture… it’s an age-old debate. Are we born with innate skills, talents and capabilities, withour potential predetermined by our genetic make-up? Or do we have the power to transform ourselves through learning, effort and dedication? That’s the difference between a ‘fixed’ and a ‘growth’ mindset, between self-imposed limits and a whole world of possibilities.
Back in 2006, Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck introduced the revolutionary idea of the ‘growth mindset’ – a belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, dedication and continuous learning, rather than being predestined. It’s since become a bit of a cult concept, widely accepted around the world as a critical driver of success.
A growth mindset isn’t simply about being open-minded or having a positive outlook (although they’re wonderful attributes). It’s about grit and resilience, proactively overcoming negative thought patterns, embracing challenges and feedback, seeing failure as an opportunity to learn – truly believing you’re the master of your own future. It’s the ultimate motivator, and it’s the key to realising your potential.
One of the greatest quotes to capture the distinction between mindsets was articulated by Muhammad Ali – “Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
If you want to smash through those fixed, self-limiting beliefs and uncover your ‘impossible’ potential, here’s what you need to do…
1. Turn the negatives around
“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” – Henry Ford
Emma Murray, renowned high performance mindset coach with a client list including AFL Premiership clubs and Olympic stars, believes that negative thoughts are one of the biggest roadblocks to fulfilling your potential. She says that “we have between 50,000 and 90,000 thoughts every day and mostly they revolve around the same 7-9 unhelpful themes, and they stop us doing fun stuff, taking risks, stretching ourselves and performing at our best.”
The kicker is, our thoughts aren’t necessarily real. Emma says, “They’re just stories that our over-protective minds tell us as a way of keeping us safe.” She believes that by questioning the stories we tell ourselves and recognising the thoughts that are holding us back, we can begin to achieve our potential. High-performance coach Stephanie Bown also believes that you need to “catch yourself in the doom loop of your own making.” She suggests asking yourself whether the negative thought is helpful or unhelpful, questioning where it comes from and whether it’s just a habit you’re caught in. According to Stephanie, the way we talk to ourselves, our relationship with ourselves, can be “the difference between living in a prison of self-imposed limitations, or a sanctuary of freedom and purpose.”
Another way to turn around ‘negative’ thoughts is by reframing them. Burns survivor and humanitarian Turia Pitt suggests that next time you’re not looking forward to something, let’s say a training session, try reframing it as something you get to do, not something you have to do. It’s a simple growth mindset switch that completely changes your outlook.
In Carol Dweck’s TEDx talk, she tells a story about a high school in Chicago that, instead of giving kids a ‘fail’ for courses they don’t pass, grades them as ‘not yet’. Those two simple words, so critical to a growth mindset, instil a belief in those kids that with work and perseverance, they will eventually succeed. It’s a beautiful way to turn a ‘negative’ around.
As Carol says, “Mindsets are an important part of your personality, but you can change them. Just by knowing about the two mindsets, you can start thinking and reacting in new ways.”
2. Learn something new
A large part of a growth mindset is realising that there are weaknesses and strengths you haven’t developed yet, opportunities you haven’t explored and so many things to learn. And that means breaking out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to try new things.
Whether it’s learning a new language, speaking in front of a crowd, mastering a musical instrument or cooking a fancy new dish, trying new things doesn’t just make you a better linguist… or public speaker… or musician… or cook… it actually makes you smarter. True, it’s called neuroplasticity.
According to the brainiacs at CCSU Business & Development, practicing a new skill increases the density of myelin – the white matter in your brain that improves performance. It also stimulates brain neurons, creating fresh pathways and connections that become stronger the more you use them.
Stephanie Bown calls this the ‘potential zone’ – the place where learning and growth happen. Where latent talent hasn’t yet been realised, where those fresh connections in your brain haven’t yet been created. Stephanie says that “Realising potential means putting your natural strengths and capabilities to work in new ways and strengthening brain interconnectivity.”
You brain learns what you teach it. It’s literally wired to adapt to the challenges and conditions you present it with. So, if you want to cultivate a growth mindset, go ahead and put it to the test!
Fun fact: To optimise the brain’s circuits, pathways and connections you rarely use simply fade away (it’s called synaptic pruning) – it’s why you probably can’t remember any of the Latin you learned in Year 7. Use it or lose it!
3. Make friends with failure
Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player of all time, once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career, I’ve lost almost 3,000 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Many people fail, some spectacularly, before they achieve great success. J.K. Rowlings manuscript of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was rejected by 12 publishing houses before it was picked up. Steven Spielberg was rejected twice by the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Jerry Seinfeld was booed off stage during his first stand-up comedy gig. History is littered with famous ‘failures’ who have gone on to achieve enormous success.
But just imagine if failure had stopped them in their tracks.
Ben Crowe, professional mentor and mindset coach to stars including Ash Barty, Stephanie Gilmore and the Australian cricket team, believes wholeheartedly that “the greatest threat to success is avoiding failure.”
According to Ben, 90% of performances are sabotaged by the fear of failure or focusing on the result. He believes that if we treated failure like a scientist would – a negative result is simply a data point that helps prove or disprove a hypothesis, rather than a reflection of the scientist’s capability – then failure wouldn’t be an issue.
When we choose to reframe failure as learning, failure ceases to exist.
Adventurous entrepreneur Richard Branson is also one that embraces failure as a learning tool, vocal in his opinion that “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing and falling over.” Dusting yourself off and getting up again is the essence of a growth mindset.
In the end, the power to write your own story and realise your full potential lies within the choices you make. As concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl reminds us, “everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Your mindset is absolutely a choice. So why not choose growth?
We have some of Australia’s leading mindset coaches and high performance experts, including Stephanie Bown, Emma Murray, Ben Crowe and Turia Pitt, ready to provide your team with life-changing practical tools to help them harness the power of a growth mindset. If you’d like us to introduce you, simply get in touch with us for a chat!
“If you don’t believe the messenger, you won’t believe the message.” – James M. Kouzes
Ever give your partner some great advice that they airily dismiss… only to watch them take onboard that same advice when someone else gives it to them? I hear you laughing, we’ve all been there!
When someone has a place in your life, whether that be partner, boss or friend, sometimes it’s hard to accept their views when you know it’s not in their wheelhouse. It’s the law of familiarity. Like an actor that’s been typecast, they’ve been defined by their audience, and it’s a tough mould to break.
The upshot? Sometimes, it’s not the message,it’s the messenger. If you want someone to simply share information with your team, then keep the job in-house. But if you want someone to inspire change, transform behaviours or motivate people to act, you need the right messenger – and a professional motivational speaker, with specialised expertise and a powerful presence, is the external voice you want.
The best motivational speakers have more than just a knack for public speaking. They’re incredibly skilled at capturing attention and commanding respect, finding masterful ways to tackle tough topics and captivate an audience. They bring new perspectives and fresh ideas. With expert knowledge and experience, along with sharply-honed presentation skills, they ignite passion and – most importantly – inspire action. Their impact is enormous.
Social commentator and Co-Founder of The Behaviour Report, Dan Gregory, believes, “People don’t hear what you say, they hear who you are. Context matters as much as content, if not more, so this needs to be factored into how a message might be interpreted.”
So if you’re looking to level up a specialised area of your business, and your messengers are struggling to get your message across, bring in an external expert to lead the charge. Australia is blessed with some of the best motivational speakers in the world – incredible thinkers skilled at changing minds and influencing specific behaviours. For example:
** Want to inspire your team to sell better? Get Chris Helder. ** Want to overhaul your workplace culture? Get Elizabeth Broderick. ** Want to show your leaders how to magnify their influence? Get Dan Gregory. ** Want to elevate your team’s performance? Get Stephanie Bown. ** Want to turn your customers into your biggest fans? Get Amanda Stevens. ** Want to master the art of communication? Get Anthony Laye. ** Want to tune your team into a high-performance mindset? Get Emma Murray.
With so many incredible motivational speakers to choose from, we understand finding the right one for your job can be a daunting prospect. Which is why we’re always happy to put together a bespoke list of speaker options to suit your specific business needs. Just get in touch with us for a chat to get the ball rolling!
