Michelle Ray

Leadership: It Starts With Me

We’ve often heard the adage “everyone can be a leader”, but what does this mean? More importantly, how is this relevant to your organization and your people? The most practical answer is to think of leadership in terms of character, not a position or title. A leader is someone at any level who has grasped the ability to take charge of their thoughts, and consequently their actions, in any situation.

We are often tested to be the best version of ourselves, regardless of our job function. Our attitudes directly impact the workplace atmosphere and the quality of our business relationships. When we take the initiative and lead ourselves with greater confidence, we are better equipped to strengthen relationships with leaders, co-workers, and customers.

Delivering her message with insight, wit, and humor, Michelle’s energizing, informative and popular keynote presentation will remind audiences of the power of personal leadership. They will learn accountability strategies they can use long after the event ends to take the lead, embrace challenges and create their realities.

Who Moved My Future?

“Why is this happening?” “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” “We’ve always done it that way.” Three clichés that have become part of the dialogue when it comes to the topic of change.

Learning how to manage ourselves around situations and events that are outside of our control is not as complex as you may think, although the process often necessitates a shift in perspective, readiness to let go of the old and willingness to embrace the new.

Easier said than done.

During volatile market conditions, it isn’t unusual for organizations to tighten their collective belts and become even more risk-averse. Adapting to a rapidly changing business environment is expected, yet many people feel even more afraid. On the other hand, it is equally concerning to lull ourselves into a false sense of security during positive times. Innovative thinking is essential, regardless of the economic climate.

During this dynamic, interactive and content-rich keynote, your attendees will learn the core reasons behind resistance to change, how to achieve greater levels of acceptance to move beyond the “status quo” and ultimately, how to implement and communicate new strategies and approaches for long-term results.

The Transformational Leader: Be Bold. Be Real. Be Ready.

Today’s emerging workforce are craving authentic experiences from their employers and preferred brands. In a world driven by rapid technological change, the human factor remains at the core of successful business and consumer relationships. Leaders who are relatable, transparent and real provide a unique, competitive advantage. When teams can openly communicate with their leaders regarding their career path, personal aspirations, and direction of the business, they feel appreciated, heard, understood and included. The capacity of your leaders to lead with vision and transform their thinking are the greatest differentiators in dealing with change, engagement, and retention.

Authenticity is an essential character trait that leaders need to develop to build trusting relationships with their teams. Research confirms the direct correlation between leaders who lead with humility and employees’ levels of trust, engagement, and productivity. In addition, when leaders demonstrate self-awareness, vision, competency, and overall proficiency, employees experience a heightened sense of assurance regarding the future of the enterprise.

Michelle’s dynamic, new keynote presentation helps leaders to meaningfully connect with their diverse teams, forge positive relationships, improve talent retention, boost engagement levels and increase acceptance regarding change initiatives. Attendees will leave the session inspired to become the transformational leader with greater self-awareness; ready to step out of his or her comfort zone and successfully lead the emerging workforce into the future.

Retain the Best: Confront the Rest

The notion of holding one job for life does not hold any appeal for the new generation of talent. Those days are gone forever and unless organizations are willing to invest in them emotionally and financially‚ this savvy group will seize the opportunity and leave you scrambling to replace them. They won’t accept complacency in their leaders or teams‚ and neither should you.

In addition to managing the increasing numbers of retiring baby boomers, building a culture that draws in new talent and fosters engagement for all team members, regardless of age or culture, is a key priority. Leaders need to ask themselves:

“What is it that people want when they come to our organization? What is appealing about our industry that would attract them to our organization?”

If you can answer these questions, then the process of attracting and retaining new talent becomes easier.

As leaders, we also must recognize that our leadership style impacts employee motivation and talent retention. Leaders at all levels can profoundly impact an individual’s decision to stay or leave. Are you doing your best to communicate, connect and demonstrate a genuine interest in your team members?

In this content-rich keynote presentation, you will discover the key components for building a dynamic environment where people can thrive and enjoy their work. You will recognize that the intangible (non-financial) motivators often have a major influence on a prospective or current employee’s perception of your organization. Are you ready?

Elevate Your Influence!

There has never been a better time for leaders and managers in all industry sectors to elevate their influence. A higher percentage of senior leaders and CEOs now recognize the importance of including leadership perspectives from a variety of departments regarding overall business strategy. By increasing your visibility and impact, your career flourishes and your organization benefits by having your ideas heard, understood and acted upon.

How can you leverage your position of strength and captivate the attention and imagination of individuals with whom you have key relationships? The solution lies in demonstrating that you understand their positions, their perspectives, and their interests, before introducing your suggestions. By acknowledging others first, you are ideally positioned to make the difference; for yourself and your organization.

When others connect with your ideas, you have achieved “buy-in”. It is much easier to put your agenda forward by listening to others first. Synchronicity is achieved by acknowledging others, even when we may not agree.

During this informative, interactive and dynamic keynote session, you will learn how to communicate your vision in a way that gets noticed. You add value to your organization and yourself when you can demonstrate the bottom-line benefits to your leaders and stakeholders by speaking their language. As business necessitates human interaction, articulating your goals purposely and powerfully begins with you. You will leave with new ideas and strategies to energize workplace relationships at all levels…with tangible, long-term results.

Staying Power: Success Strategies for Resilient Leadership

What makes a person resilient? Can resiliency be taught or are some people better able to rebound from adversity than others? The answers lay in how we first choose to interpret events that are outside of our control and how we respond to the inevitable peaks and valleys of life. To rise above the challenges of any description, we need to focus on developing a mindset of managing rather than coping.

Resiliency is the cornerstone of our emotional and psychological survival in challenging times. During her Staying Power! Keynote, Michelle teaches the three essential strategies required to hone a resilient mindset.

Rethink

Stop dwelling on destructive beliefs. Make room to expand possibilities, exercise greater resilience, and move forward.

Respond

Learn to adapt to discomfort by responding, rather than reacting. Take a step back and ask yourself, “Is there another way?”

Rebound

Grow from adversity and become more resilient by recognizing challenges as opportunities for greater insight.

During this thought-provoking and interactive keynote, attendees will learn how to access their resilience “DNA” and will leave the event with new ideas to bounce back with greater confidence in the face of future challenges.

No More Drama

The existence of people's challenges has consequences for your bottom line. Many
individuals are working longer hours, spending more time with managers, co-workers, and computers than their own families. Stress levels have accelerated as organizations of every description feel the pressure of delivering results for their clients and shareholders in less time, with fewer resources. Teams are expected to be efficient, engaged and happy.

The demands of today’s workplace often take a toll on the most important resource of all…your people. Under these conditions, it is not uncommon for drama and chaos to reign.

Is your business equipped to deal with personality clashes, emotional explosions, “my way or the highway” mindsets, and other theatrics that undermine productivity and success? Are you ready to manage the high cost of low morale?

Delivered with humor and insight, this exciting keynote offers practical solutions to the most common workplace problems…helping your audience to put a stop to the drama…once and for all.