Isn’t it great when a prospect smiles, nods, and seems to love everything you’re saying? Be careful; that pleasant conversation may not be the good news you think it is. Sometimes, politeness masks hesitation, and that can create some misreads that are significant. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll show you how to spot the warning signs of what I call, “The Polite Prospect Syndrome,” and share a few trial-close questions that can help you separate real interest from empty courtesy.

There’s endless advice on how to make a sale, but what about when you lose the sale? Most sales training stops short of addressing rejection, yet that’s where some of the most valuable lessons live. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share a difficult phone call that can change how you handle rejection, and strengthen your relationships in the process.

The system designed to care for our veterans too often leaves them waiting, struggling, and unheard. When healing is tangled in bureaucracy, pain lingers and, in some cases, lives are lost. But what if real recovery isn’t hidden in policy, but rooted in practices that have existed for centuries? US Navy veteran and author Rob Greene sits down with Rob to explore how ancient modalities like yoga, martial arts, and meditation are helping veterans reclaim strength beyond the limits of modern systems. With powerful stories and grounded insight, they unpack how these practices move people from survival to restoration when traditional paths fall short.

Releasing a book is always a big day, but when "Why People Don’t Believe You" hit the shelves, it felt personal. Too many of us struggle not with what we say, but with being believed when we say it. That struggle chips away at confidence until we find ourselves hiding behind our words instead of truly connecting with them. And once we retreat into doubt, it only gets harder to break free. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll explain why words alone won’t save us, and why the tune behind the words is where the real magic lives. You’ll hear how learning to master your pitch, pace, pauses, and presence can help anyone bring their words to life so people truly will believe them.

The labor pool in the U.S. is tightening faster than most leaders realize. With baby boomers retiring and birthrates dropping, 2025 marks the first year we add barely a fraction of the workers we once did—and the ripple effects will hit every industry. Author Dick Finnegan sits down with Rob to discuss why the real competitive edge isn’t in scrambling to recruit, but in learning how to retain the people you already count on. Together, they dig into the mindset and strategies that keep top talent engaged, committed, and off the job market.

As we push through another year, most of us are juggling goals, deadlines, and plenty of to-dos. But what if the most meaningful addition to your plate this year doesn’t cost a cent, and ends up being the most rewarding thing you do? In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share a lesson from my father, a lifelong Lion, about the kind of giving that goes beyond money. You’ll hear why time, presence, and even the smallest acts of kindness can become the ultimate gift, both for others and for yourself.

Some people still don’t understand the true value of a well-trained salesperson, but when one of the largest banks in the country doesn’t get it, that’s really disappointing. . A slick ad, a bold new café concept, and then a tagline that undercuts the very profession designed to protect customers from costly mistakes does not sit well with me!. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll unpack why Capital One’s “Ready to help you; not sell you” message is more harmful than helpful. You’ll hear why dismissing sales isn’t just a branding misstep; it’s a dangerous misunderstanding of what trusted professionals actually do.

Agency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s about reshaping how individuals and teams see themselves and the impact they can make. But what does it really mean in practice, and why does it matter so much right now? Authors Fred Miller and Judith Katz sit down with Rob to unpack their vision of creating “a leader in every seat.” They explore how agency differs from empowerment, what organizations stand to gain, and the first steps leaders and team members alike can take to spark lasting change. With practical tools, a 10-step roadmap, and real-world stories, they show how agency transforms not just companies, but the people inside them.

The humble pawn may be the least valued piece on the chessboard, but it holds the potential to become the most powerful. That’s why I call it the perfect underdog; overlooked, underestimated, and yet capable of surprising everyone with what it can achieve. With the right mix of skill and luck, the pawn transforms from weakest to strongest, and there’s a lesson in that for all of us. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share how the pawn’s journey mirrors our own, and why you should never underestimate what’s possible when you combine hard work with opportunity.

Perfection feels like control, but it can just as easily become a trap. Chasing flawless execution often delays the work that really matters, and keeps ideas from ever reaching the world. Architect and author Jason McLennan sits down with Rob to explore the power of strategic imperfection, a counterintuitive mindset that fuels creativity, momentum, and bold innovation. From pioneering green buildings to launching game-changing organizations, Jason shares how letting go of “perfect” can open the door to your best work.

Perfection sounds noble, but it often becomes the single biggest roadblock to achieving our goals. Whether it’s an author rewriting chapters for years or a jobseeker endlessly reworking a résumé, the pursuit of perfection often leads to unfinished work and lost opportunities. Done, as it turns out, really is better than perfect. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll explain why striving for progress beats chasing perfection every time, and how adopting this mindset can help you finish what matters most.

Leadership is often painted as power, control, and commanding authority. But what if the real story of leadership is about humility, service, and the simple act of catching people doing things right? Executive editor and author Martha C. Lawrence sits down with Rob to explore the life of Ken Blanchard, offering a candid and heartwarming portrait of the man behind "The One Minute Manager," and 70 other books! Along the way, you’ll discover why his approach to leadership proves that “nice guys” don’t just finish first; they lift others up, and they leave a lasting impact.

A cup of green tea may not seem like much, but it’s a reminder that small, consistent choices add up to big results. Just as we stack healthy habits to improve our well-being, we can stack professional habits to increase our odds of success. The power isn’t in one move alone; it’s in the collection of “percentage plays” we choose over time. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll show you how these percentage plays work not just for health, but for business, communication, and performance because it’s never just one choice that makes the difference, it’s the sum of them.

Most people are trying to lead with an empty tank; emotionally overdrawn, mentally drained, and spiritually exhausted. And when you’re constantly running on empty, the cost isn’t just a personal one… it impacts your performance, and your sense of purpose. Author and motivational speaker Dr. Damion V. Bolton sits down with Rob and provides some key insight on how to build your own High Emotional Bank Account; one powered by self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

We’ve all had it happen: you write something that feels perfectly harmless, but the other person takes it the wrong way. A few misplaced words, or more accurately, a missing tune can completely change how your message lands. That difference between what we mean and what’s heard can make or break our communication. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I’ll share a personal story that highlights how intent gets lost when the “tune” is missing. You’ll hear why both written and spoken communication need more than just the right words, and what you can do to make sure your message is received the way you intend.

From first-generation college graduate to corporate leader in tech, he shattered ceilings that weren’t designed to let him through. And then, he walked away; not to slow down, but to lift others up with the lessons he had learned. Professional speaker, and author Lasada Pippen shares his story of how resilience and purpose can help you rise up, rewrite your narrative, and unlock the power you already carry.

Self-deprecating humor can be charming in a conversation or a date, but on stage, in front of an audience? It might be doing more harm than good. In this quick, five-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I'll explore why joking about your own skills or value at the start of a presentation doesn’t win over an audience, it undermines their confidence in you. You'll hear why this common tactic backfires, and what to do instead if you want to connect, not deflect.

Entrepreneurs often learn the hard way through trial and error, guesswork, and costly detours. But what if there was a better route… a business GPS that helps you navigate exactly where you are and where you need to go? Founder and author Matt Pohl sits down with Rob and lays out a framework that not only maps the Stages of Growth companies go through, he discusses multiple strategies for businesses to excel. He should know; he used this system to improve the value of his company 10 fold in just three years!

Some people seem to be believed the moment they open their mouth. For the rest of us, being taken seriously isn’t always as easy. In this quick, six-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I share four process behaviors that can help you project greater confidence, authenticity, and credibility, regardless of your background, personality, or “limp.” Because being believed isn’t a gift you’re born with… it’s a skill you can learn.

Customer experience isn’t just about policies; it’s about promises. And when those promises are broken, the ripple effects can be long-lasting. In this quick, seven-minute Pocket Sized Pep Talk, I share a personal story of loyalty, status, and a missed opportunity for a major airline. After nearly four decades and over two million miles with United Airlines, I was reminded that what matters most isn’t the perks, it’s how a company responds when things go wrong. It seems that United breaks more than guitars; they break commitments.