In middle school, we are all taught to be good leaders. It’s important to be a good role model for others and make good choices.
Steve Gutzler helps people become better leaders. His programs focus on managing emotions, setting goals, and having the right mindset in order to lead others.
For my 8-part Summer Speaker Series, and to learn more about Steve as a speaker, I interviewed him on the following topics:
CJ: What was your first job?
SG: My first job was at my father’s pancake house peeling cooked potatoes for hash browns every Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
CJ: How did you become a professional speaker?
SG: I started in the ministry as a college pastor. The ministry gave me years of experience speaking weekly and traveling the country. I started getting invited to do business and corporate meetings and it just grew from there.
CJ: You speak on leadership and emotional intelligence. How did you choose your program topics?
SG: I’ve been a student of leadership for over 25 years, so I’m very passionate about the topic of helping leaders grow their influence, impact, and inspiration, but I came to realize the game changer is emotional intelligence. This skill helps leaders grow in their self-awareness, self-manage under stress and uncertainty, and build emotional connections of loyalty and trust.
CJ: How did the COVID-19 quarantine affect you as a professional speaker?
SG: It literally changed everything. It redefined my speaking career, and in the course of 90 days, I wrote and published my new co-authored book, Lead With No Fear. Along with that, I’ve been engaging teams and organizations virtually for their online events. I’ve actually become energized by pivoting towards this new reality.
CJ: What is your favorite thing about speaking?
SG: I believe it’s an absolute gift and honor to speak to audiences, and the most fulfilling aspect is to see a changed life. One of the greatest compliments I receive is when people say, “I was expecting the leadership content, but I wasn’t expecting you to touch me so deeply that it changed my life.”
CJ: What would you say to a middle school student to help them become a better leader?
SG: I would say first and foremost, every single day, try to be an example to your friends. It’s tough because there’s a lot of pressure today but you know in your heart what to do – so just lead by example.
Second, seek out at least one unloved person every single day. Go sit with someone. Be a friend to someone who needs a friend. You’ll gain a lot of respect as a true leader if you love the unlovables. And third, never give up. Always push through. Leaders don’t give up!
Thank you, Steve, for your wonderful advice!
If you want everyone in your company to become a better leader, you should hire Steve Gutzler.
Our guest blogger Connor Joyce is a rising 7th grader from Huntersville, North Carolina. With a keen interest in learning more about the professional speaking industry, he produced an 8-Part Summer Speaker Series for www.MichelleJoyce.com. He is the firstborn child of Founder and President, Michelle Joyce. When he’s not interviewing speakers, he enjoys football, Fortnite, and watersports.
Excellent share