Public speaking can be a daunting task, especially for technical professionals. What if conquering this fear could unlock new career heights for you? Join us as we sit down with Neil Thompson of Teach the Geek, who offers his unique insights on transforming this fear into a powerful tool for career and personal development. Neil recounts his own challenges as a product development engineer and how organizations like Toastmasters helped him hone his skills. His journey emphasizes the importance of effective communication in bridging the gap between technical jargon and accessible language.

Imagine your career trajectory if you could seamlessly present your innovative ideas to non-technical audiences. In this episode, we explore how mastering public speaking not only enhances your professional image but also builds valuable skills such as leadership and interviewing. Neil provides practical advice on reducing the intimidation of public speaking by establishing a repeatable process and practicing regularly. We draw parallels between learning new skills through repetition and the gradual improvement that comes with consistent effort, making the challenge of public speaking far less formidable.

Finally, we tackle the nuances of presenting to introverted audiences within technical fields, offering tips on engaging content delivery and respecting audience comfort levels. Neil and I discuss the critical importance of a strong closing to maintain credibility and ensure smooth transitions. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, technical professional, or newcomer to public speaking, this episode has valuable takeaways for you. Tune in to discover Neil's platform, Teach the Geek, and learn methods to elevate your presentation skills, ultimately benefiting your career and personal growth.

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact jay@behavioralelements.com or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Embark on a transformational journey with Dr. Esther Jackson, a vanguard in the talent development arena, as she shares her remarkable metamorphosis from an aspiring educator to a corporate training virtuoso. In this heart-to-heart, you'll uncover the power of introspection in carving out a career pathway that's both meaningful and exhilarating. Hear how Dr. Jackson turned challenges into triumphs within the constraints of a municipal government setting, crafting innovative in-house training programs that exemplify the profound satisfaction one can derive from teaching in all forms.

Discover the intricacies of the ADDIE model and its monumental impact on adult learning as we dissect the importance of a meticulous Analysis phase to diagnose performance issues accurately. Tune in for an insider's view on designing captivating learning experiences that align with organizational goals and resonate with the learner’s aspirations. The enlightening dialogue reveals how a deep-seated passion for talent development fuels professionals like Dr. Jackson, inspiring those who yearn to make a mark in corporate training.

This episode concludes with a masterclass on adaptability, encapsulating the unpredictable nature of the talent development field, particularly in the throes of a global crisis like COVID-19. As Dr. Jackson imparts her wisdom on preparing for high-stakes C-suite discussions, you'll grasp the indispensable skills needed to align learning initiatives with organizational triumph while navigating the complex currents of talent development.

Bio

Dr. Esther Jackson has a myriad of experiences in leadership, project management, talent development, and DEI. A few of her occupations are Consultant, Facilitator, and College Instructor in the Detroit, MI area. She has presented nationally with the Association for Talent Development, SHRM, BambooHR Summit, and Training Magazine Conference & Expo. Her presentation topics are: adaptability, DEI, emotional intelligence, instructional design/training, and leadership development. Dr. Jackson’s credentials include graduate degrees in education and certifications in adaptability and DEI. Since its publishing a few years ago, her doctoral study on technology preferences of multiple generations in the workplace has received over 1,600 downloads. She published her first book, Adaptability in Talent Development, and it is available on Amazon.

Connect with Dr. Jackson
Lynnjac Consulting: www.lynnjac.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-esther-jackson-2ab9772b2/
ATD: www.td.org | ATD Conference: https://atdconference.td.org

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact jay@behavioralelements.com or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Talent Forge, where we are shaping the future of training and development! I am your host, Jay Johnson. I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about the show and its purpose and share a little bit of my background and experience with you.

We have all been subjected to boring, monotonous lectures, silly, over-the-top activities that make people feel embarrassed rather than empowered, and the talks that left us saying, "Awesome, now what the hell do I do with that?"

As talent development practitioners and leaders, we are responsible for providing opportunities for people to grow, upskill, and develop our teams. This podcast will provide a new perspective and approach to training, coaching, mentoring, and developing talent in a way that empowers the learner.

Together, we will elevate the significance of our profession and demonstrate that with the right tools, we can create real, long-lasting change and stop people from saying, "Please, not another boring lecture."

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact jay@behavioralelements.com or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com