Unlocking the Power of Truly Showing Up with Marcy Axelrod

In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball welcomes Marcy Axelrod to delve into the nuances of 'showing up.' Axelrod, an expert on the topic and author of 'How We Choose to Show Up,' explains that success is not just about physical presence but involves different levels of engagement. She introduces her research on the three levels of showing up—barely there, just showing up, and truly showing up—and discusses how integrating neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural economics can revolutionize personal and professional interactions. The conversation touches on the importance of intentionality, empathy, and connecting with others. Axelrod also shares practical insights, including a simple technique to become more present. The episode emphasizes the importance of choosing how we show up in life to create more meaningful and impactful experiences.

To view the images Marcy shared in the recording, CLICK HERE

Keywords

showing up, personal development, emotional intelligence, attunement, mental health, collective mentality, neuroscience, self-awareness, transformation, leadership

Takeaways

Showing up is crucial for success in life.

There are three levels of showing up: barely there, just showing up, and truly showing up.

Just showing up often leads to dissatisfaction in life.

A collective mentality fosters deeper connections than individualism.

Attunement is more impactful than mere awareness.

Many people operate in a default mode of just showing up.

We can steer our life's journey with intention.

Solitude is essential for self-reflection and growth.

Understanding ourselves requires context and connection with others.

Emotional intelligence is key to authentic interactions.

Sound Bites

"80% of success is just showing up."

"There are three different levels of showing up."

"Just showing up means a lot of things."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Showing Up

00:47 Meet Marcy Axelrod: The Expert on Showing Up

01:27 Understanding the Levels of Showing Up

02:46 The Science Behind Showing Up

03:13 Marcy's Personal Journey and Research

05:10 Exploring the Three Levels of Showing Up

07:10 The Impact of Just Showing Up

09:12 Moving Beyond Just Showing Up

15:50 The Need for Attunement

26:22 The Role of Society in How We Show Up

29:59 Understanding Different Perspectives

34:22 The Power of Choice

39:35 Mental Health and Personal Experiences

42:11 Authenticity in Leadership

55:17 Emotional Intelligence and Intuition

57:53 Practical Techniques for Presence

01:01:16 Conclusion and Next Steps

Thanks for listening and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it. Join me on LinkedIn for my Present Influence newsletter if you'd like to listen to part 2 where we dive even deeper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnaball/ or message me and I'll send you the link.

Mastering the Art of Professional Keynote Presentations: Structure, Tools, and Tips

Summary

In this episode of 'Present Influence,' keynote coach and professional speaker John Ball provides an in-depth guide on structuring and delivering professional talks.

He introduces the Cicero card deck as a useful tool for creating well-organized presentations and highlights the importance of keeping the audience engaged through effective storytelling and smooth transitions.

John outlines his own keynote presentation process, shares insights into constructing a framework for talks, and emphasizes the significance of practising storytelling skills.

He also offers tips on making impactful conclusions and engaging with the audience post-presentation for potential referrals.

The episode is packed with practical advice for business leaders and aspiring professional speakers who want to maximize their impact and present with influence.

Watch the YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/VPOaqkVHwA8

Check out the Cicero card deck: https://sefirot.it/cicero-deck

Use this link to watch the YouTube video:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:17 The Importance of Structuring a Talk

02:15 Introducing Cicero Cards

03:22 Using Cicero Cards for Presentation Structure

05:28 Key Elements of a Successful Talk

10:47 Framework and Storytelling in Presentations

18:28 Transitioning Between Key Points

25:17 Closing and Call to Action

28:30 Final Thoughts and Upcoming EpisodesVisit https://presentinfluence.com to find out more or go to HTTP://johnballspeaks.com for speaking enquiries. Thanks for listening and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Mastering Platform Sales: Insights with Mitch Carson

Summary

In this episode, John Ball interviews Mitch Carson, a seasoned speaker and expert in platform sales, to explore the art of selling from the stage.

The discussion highlights the differences between keynote speaking and platform sales, emphasizing the competitive nature and high earnings potential of the latter.

Mitch shares his experiences and insights, offering advice to aspiring speakers on mastering the craft, the importance of energy, and effectively connecting with audiences.

Key takeaways include learning from industry veterans and the significance of practice and preparation in becoming a successful platform pitchperson.

This episode is a valuable resource for those interested in leveraging speaking engagements to sell products, courses, or services effectively.

Links

https://www.mitchcarson.com/

http://getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch

keywords

selling from stage, keynote speaking, platform selling, sales techniques, public speaking, event marketing, audience engagement, sales training, competitive speaking, online sales.

takeaways

• Selling from the stage is about opening wallets, not just applause.
• Keynote speakers and platform pitch people have different metrics for success.
• The environment and audience are crucial for successful selling.
• Platform selling is for risk-takers and competitive individuals.
• Community and support among speakers are vital for success.
• Understanding human psychology is key to effective selling.
• Practice and preparation are essential for successful presentations.
• Live events generally yield higher conversions than online.
• Starting on other people's stages is a low-risk way to enter the industry.
• Reputation and ethics are critical in the speaking business.

titles

• The Power of Community in Speaking
• Overcoming Sales Anxiety: A Journey

Sound Bites

• "I live for wallets opening up."
• "The job of a platform pitch person is to convert dollars."
• "I sold 800,000 from a stage in Tokyo."

00:00 Introduction to Platform Sales

00:20 Meet Mitch Carson: Master of Platform Sales

02:38 Keynote Speaking vs. Platform Sales

06:15 The Competitive World of Platform Sales

11:59 Traits of a Successful Platform Pitch Person

26:10 Live Events vs. Virtual Events

32:37 Understanding the Events Business

32:51 The Challenges of Starting Out

34:07 The Importance of Networking

36:12 The Impact of Economic Downturns

37:11 Transitioning to Full-Time Speaking

39:42 The Ethics of the Speaking Industry

44:59 The Journey to Mastery

46:53 The Art of Platform Pitching

53:36 The Importance of Practice and Preparation

55:30 Learning from the Masters

59:29 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Visit https://presentinfluence.com to find out more or go to HTTP://johnballspeaks.com for speaking enquiries. Thanks for listening and please give the show a 5* review if you enjoyed it.

Unlock Your Speaking Potential: Creating Impactful Keynotes

In this second episode on John's signature keynote creation process, he shares insights on creating impactful speeches.

John emphasizes the importance of selecting relevant and needed topics for speaking engagements, differentiating between 'nice-to-have' and 'need-to-have' solutions.

He also provides a glimpse into his own creative process, highlighting the goal of achieving emotional mastery for his audience, and discusses the significance of creating a framework for transformation.

Here's the link to view John's abstract: CLICK HERE

Additionally, John touches on crafting effective talk titles, either straightforward or intriguing, and the necessity of an abstract for a speaker.

Stay tuned for an intriguing guest appearance by Mitch Carson, an expert in 'selling from the stage,' in the next episode.

keywords

speaking, keynote, speaker abstract, intellectual property, presentation skills, audience engagement, speaker success, emotional mastery, talk titles, prospecting

takeaways

• Struggling with your speaker topic can hinder success.
• A clear topic is crucial for booking opportunities.
• Creating intellectual property can enhance your marketability.
• Need-to-have solutions are more likely to secure bookings.
• A framework for transformation can differentiate your talk.
• An abstract can be sufficient for getting booked.
• Engaging talk titles can attract audience interest.
• Iterative creativity is key in the talk development process.
• Less is more when it comes to content in keynotes.
• Upcoming insights on selling from the stage are essential for speakers.

titles

• Unlocking Your Speaker Potential
• Navigating the Speaker Landscape

Sound Bites

• "Are you still struggling with your speaker topic?"
• "You will need this."
• "This one step means you can start prospecting."

00:00 Introduction: Struggling with Your Topic?

00:30 Welcome to Present Influence

01:03 Keynote Creation Series: Concept and Positioning

03:37 Defining Your Objective and Framework

05:18 The Creative Process: Iteration and Perfectionism

08:59 Creating Effective Talk Titles

11:36 Upcoming Episodes and Guest Preview

Mastering Public Speaking & Business Soundboarding with Phil Fraser

In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball dives into the importance of presentation skills in professional success and how being a confident speaker can give you a competitive edge in business.

John sits down with guest Phil Fraser, who shares his unique role as a business sounding board, helping small business owners combat the loneliness of leadership and provide much-needed guidance.

The conversation covers Phil’s background in presentation skills, tips for handling Q&A sessions, and essential elements that make speakers listenable.

They also discuss the impact of podcasting on professional growth and valuable lessons in hosting and guesting on podcasts.

Tune in for practical insights and strategies to enhance your public speaking and leadership capabilities.

keywords

business sounding board, business coach, business mentor, small business owners, loneliness, challenges, presentation training, communication skills, Q&A sessions, podcasting, podcasting, guesting, audience building, business sounding board, Leeds Business Podcast, entertaining, educational, motivational, inspirational, strategy

takeaways

• A business sounding board is a combination of a business coach and a business mentor, providing support and guidance to small business owners.
• Having someone to talk to and bounce ideas off of can help alleviate the loneliness and challenges of running a business.
• Effective communication skills, including presentation skills, are crucial in business and can boost professional credibility and confidence.
• Handling Q&A sessions during presentations can be done by using specific phrases like 'Who has the first question?' and 'Who has the final question?' to encourage audience participation and maintain control.
• Podcasting is a valuable tool for reaching a wider audience and sharing expertise and insights. Guesting on other people's podcasts can help build your audience and raise your profile in a specific community.
• Creating your own podcast allows you to stand out and target a niche audience.
• Podcasts should be entertaining, educational, motivational, and inspirational to keep listeners engaged.
• Being a podcast host can enhance your positioning and credibility in your industry.
• As a business sounding board, Phil helps small to medium-sized business owners create a strategy to achieve their goals.

titles

• The Power of Podcasting
• Tips for Handling Q&A Sessions The Benefits of Hosting a Podcast

Sound Bites

• "I work with small business owners to stop them being lonely at the top."
• "I help business owners to be better business owners and to not be lonely at the top."
• "My background going all the way back, my initial first half of my career, I sold advertising space."
• "I will guest on other people's podcasts... I'm piggybacking on your audience."
• "How hard can it be to run your own podcast?... It's a lot harder than it looks."
• "I launched the Leeds Business Podcast... to raise my profile in the Leeds business community."

00:00 Introduction to Presentation Skills

00:24 Meet Phil Fraser: Business Sounding Board

01:32 The Role of a Business Sounding Board

05:43 Phil's Background in Presentation Skills

09:03 The Power of Public Speaking

09:57 Transformative Journey of Public Speaking

16:17 The Importance of Presentation Skills in Education

18:53 Mastering Q&A Sessions

20:31 Effective Q&A Techniques

21:45 Podcasting in the Professional World

22:01 Phil's Podcasting Journey Begins

22:30 Guesting on Other Podcasts

23:22 Creating the Leeds...

Crafting Your Signature Keynote: A Step-by-Step Journey

In this episode of Present Influence, keynote coach and professional speaker John Ball invites listeners into his creative process as he develops his own signature keynote talk.

John shares comprehensive insights from his years of coaching, covering topics such as the importance of having a mission, the difference between mission and positioning, and the challenges of finding your niche.

This episode kicks off a series focused on the entire keynote creation process, from conceptualization to delivery, offering valuable lessons for aspiring and established speakers alike.

Follow along weekly for more tips and interviews with influence experts, starting with radio presenter Phil Fraser in the next episode.

keywords

keynote talk, public speaking, mission, positioning, presentation skills, leadership communication, emotional mastery, audience engagement, speaker journey, creative process

takeaways

• Creating a keynote talk starts with understanding your mission.
• Mission and positioning are distinct but interconnected concepts.
• A clear mission helps define your niche as a speaker.
• Emotional mastery is crucial for effective leadership communication.
• Specificity in mission statements enhances clarity and impact.
• The creative process involves personal reflection and audience consideration.
• Positioning supports the greater mission in delivering talks.
• Empowering others emotionally can lead to significant change.
• Documentation of the speaker's journey can provide valuable insights.
• Engaging with the audience is key to successful presentations.

titles

• Defining Your Niche as a Speaker
• Emotional Mastery in Public Speaking

Sound Bites

• "Where do even start when creating a professional keynote talk?"
• "I want to talk about the creative process."

00:00 Introduction: Crafting Your Signature Keynote Talk

03:21 The Importance of Mission and Positioning

05:46 Defining Your Mission and Positioning Statement

07:09 Building the Foundation of Your Keynote Talk

08:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Mastering Empathy in Business: An Interview with Michele Hansen

In this episode of Present Influence, host John Ball interviews Michele Hansen, author of 'Deploy Empathy.'

Michele discusses her journey from the technical side of business to understanding and mastering empathy.

The episode covers how empathy can be a learned skill crucial for business success, even in technical fields like software development.

Michele shares her insights on applying empathy in product management, marketing, and sales, emphasizing the importance of understanding people's contexts.

The conversation explores the unexpected benefits of empathy in building trust and deepening relationships, as well as Michele's experiences and strategies for successful podcasting.

Listeners are encouraged to consider how they can apply empathy in their own professional and personal lives.

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Empathy in Business

00:17 Meet Michelle Hansen: From Technical Background to Empathy Advocate

02:57 The Journey to Entrepreneurship and Writing a Book

06:01 Understanding Empathy: Michelle's Insights

08:40 Applying Empathy in Business and Beyond

18:29 The Role of Podcasting in Promoting Empathy

26:56 Practical Tips for Developing Empathy

40:57 Conclusion: Embracing Empathy in Professional Life

The Power of Detachment and Flow: Enhancing Influence and Inner Peace

In this episode of Present Influence, John explores the concepts of detachment, flow, and presence, and how they can help improve communication and inner peace.

He discusses the challenges of seeking approval and the paradoxical effect of trying too hard, illustrating the importance of letting go of specific outcomes.

John shares personal experiences and lessons from studying Bujinkan Ninjutsu, emphasizing the value of maintaining flow over force.

The episode also touches on the psychological need for belonging and the negative impacts of exclusion. Listeners are encouraged to find balance between being active participants in life and maintaining a detached, observant perspective.

keywords

trying too hard, making a good impression, pushing people away, neediness, fear of exclusion, tolerating mistreatment, detachment, presentness, inner peace, active participant, flow, setbacks

takeaways

• Trying too hard to be liked or impress others can have the opposite effect and push people away.
• Our need to belong and fear of being excluded can lead us to tolerate mistreatment and abuse.
• Relaxing and not being attached to outcomes can lead to better results and inner peace.
• Being an active participant in our own lives while also being able to switch between observer and actor is valuable.
• Getting back in flow after setbacks is important for maintaining a positive mindset and moving forward.
• Being present is key to influence and life, allowing us to fully engage and connect with others.

titles

• The Power of Being Present
• The Pitfalls of Trying Too Hard

Sound Bites

• "Why do we try so hard?"
• "Our need to belong is strong."
• "When emotions go high, intelligence goes low."

00:00 Introduction to Detachment and Presence

00:59 The Struggle for Acceptance

02:20 The Impact of Social Exclusion

04:01 Understanding Neediness and High Stakes

04:58 Embracing Flow and Letting Go

05:27 The Philosophy of Flow in Martial Arts

07:33 The Paradox of Attachment and Inner Peace

08:14 Practical Steps to Detachment

09:23 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes