Why I Spent a Month Preparing for Just 3 Minutes!

I I am maniacal when it comes to am maniacal when it comes to am maniacal when it comes to preparation. preparation. preparation. Um at my church I used to be given 3 Um at my church I used to be given 3 Um at my church I used to be given 3 minutes for minutes for minutes for offering. I would plan one month for offering. I would plan one month for offering. I would plan one month for that 3 minutes. I would make sure that that 3 minutes. I would make sure that that 3 minutes. I would make sure that that 3 minutes was the best 3 minutes that 3 minutes was the best 3 minutes that 3 minutes was the best 3 minutes somebody had ever had in a church somebody had ever had in a church somebody had ever had in a church experience in their life. And I thought experience in their life. And I thought experience in their life. And I thought I've been given 3 minutes. And so I'm I've been given 3 minutes. And so I'm I've been given 3 minutes. And so I'm not an opportunist, I'm a stewardist. not an opportunist, I'm a stewardist. not an opportunist, I'm a stewardist. Welcome to the Carrie New Hoff Welcome to the Carrie New Hoff Welcome to the Carrie New Hoff Leadership Podcast on YouTube. So glad Leadership Podcast on YouTube. So glad Leadership Podcast on YouTube. So glad you joined us. And today, if you ever you joined us. And today, if you ever you joined us. And today, if you ever wonder how people get to the top quick, wonder how people get to the top quick, wonder how people get to the top quick, we're going to talk about that with Ryan we're going to talk about that with Ryan we're going to talk about that with Ryan Leak. I met him just over a decade ago. Leak. I met him just over a decade ago. Leak. I met him just over a decade ago. We had dinner. Nobody knew who he was. We had dinner. Nobody knew who he was. We had dinner. Nobody knew who he was. Today, he's on the top stages, top Today, he's on the top stages, top Today, he's on the top stages, top companies, top churches in the world. companies, top churches in the world. companies, top churches in the world. How does that happen? He talks about How does that happen? He talks about How does that happen? He talks about maniacal preparation and what you need maniacal preparation and what you need maniacal preparation and what you need to do to really succeed. I think you're to do to really succeed. I think you're to do to really succeed. I think you're going to find this absolutely going to find this absolutely going to find this absolutely fascinating. And if you're new here, fascinating. And if you're new here, fascinating. And if you're new here, make sure you subscribe, maybe like and make sure you subscribe, maybe like and make sure you subscribe, maybe like and comment on this episode, and we'll get comment on this episode, and we'll get comment on this episode, and we'll get right into it with Ryan. But first, a right into it with Ryan. But first, a right into it with Ryan. But first, a word from today's carefully selected word from today's carefully selected word from today's carefully selected podcast partners. Today's episode is podcast partners. Today's episode is podcast partners. Today's episode is brought to you by Compassion. So, I want brought to you by Compassion. So, I want brought to you by Compassion. So, I want to ask you a question. Do you consider to ask you a question. Do you consider to ask you a question. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person? Like, yourself a compassionate person? Like, yourself a compassionate person? Like, does the suffering of other people does the suffering of other people does the suffering of other people actually move you to take action? Well, actually move you to take action? Well, actually move you to take action? Well, did you know that research shows a did you know that research shows a did you know that research shows a measurable link between authentic measurable link between authentic measurable link between authentic compassion and an improvement in compassion and an improvement in compassion and an improvement in personal health and professional

personal health and professional personal health and professional success? In fact, data shows that success? In fact, data shows that success? In fact, data shows that ongoing acts of kindness toward others ongoing acts of kindness toward others ongoing acts of kindness toward others is directly linked to living a longer is directly linked to living a longer is directly linked to living a longer life and achieving greater professional life and achieving greater professional life and achieving greater professional success. Now, that's pretty compelling success. Now, that's pretty compelling success. Now, that's pretty compelling data and it points to something a lot data and it points to something a lot data and it points to something a lot larger than just ourselves. You know, larger than just ourselves. You know, larger than just ourselves. You know, scripture shows us many examples of scripture shows us many examples of scripture shows us many examples of God's compassion toward us. most God's compassion toward us. most God's compassion toward us. most evidently in the life, death, and evidently in the life, death, and evidently in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And as a pastor, resurrection of Jesus. And as a pastor, resurrection of Jesus. And as a pastor, I really want to see all people accept I really want to see all people accept I really want to see all people accept God's compassion toward us and live a God's compassion toward us and live a God's compassion toward us and live a life of gospel-driven impact as a life of gospel-driven impact as a life of gospel-driven impact as a result. So, if you also desire this, result. So, if you also desire this, result. So, if you also desire this, here's what I'd love for you to do. I'd here's what I'd love for you to do. I'd here's what I'd love for you to do. I'd encourage you to visit my friends at encourage you to visit my friends at encourage you to visit my friends at Compassion International and begin Compassion International and begin Compassion International and begin learning how you can grow your learning how you can grow your learning how you can grow your compassion today. Find out more at compassion today. Find out more at compassion today. Find out more at compassion.com/carry. Again, that is compassion.com/carry. Again, that is compassion.com/carry. Again, that is compassion.com/carry. I'm on this compassion.com/carry. I'm on this compassion.com/carry. I'm on this mission and I'd love for you to join me, mission and I'd love for you to join me, mission and I'd love for you to join me, too. Today's episode is brought to you too. Today's episode is brought to you too. Today's episode is brought to you by Glue. You know, as a pastor, we all by Glue. You know, as a pastor, we all by Glue. You know, as a pastor, we all know that fall's a really big season. know that fall's a really big season. know that fall's a really big season. People come back from summer vacation.

People come back from summer vacation. People come back from summer vacation. It's time to re-engage your church. So, It's time to re-engage your church. So, It's time to re-engage your church. So, how do you prepare now to lead well how do you prepare now to lead well how do you prepare now to lead well then? Well, Brad Hill from Glue is here then? Well, Brad Hill from Glue is here then? Well, Brad Hill from Glue is here to talk about a simple, powerful way to to talk about a simple, powerful way to to talk about a simple, powerful way to do that. Brad, what do you suggest? do that. Brad, what do you suggest? do that. Brad, what do you suggest? Yeah, Carrie, this is where something Yeah, Carrie, this is where something Yeah, Carrie, this is where something called the church health dashboard comes called the church health dashboard comes called the church health dashboard comes in. This is this is new. It's part of in. This is this is new. It's part of in. This is this is new. It's part of the insight suite on Glue. And what it's the insight suite on Glue. And what it's the insight suite on Glue. And what it's going to do is help you know how the going to do is help you know how the going to do is help you know how the people are doing in your community people are doing in your community people are doing in your community across these key dimensions like across these key dimensions like across these key dimensions like spiritual relationships and financial spiritual relationships and financial spiritual relationships and financial health. Um, and it helps you plan the health. Um, and it helps you plan the health. Um, and it helps you plan the right messages, right? The right right messages, right? The right right messages, right? The right programs, how you're going to preach, programs, how you're going to preach, programs, how you're going to preach, what are your invitations this fall. what are your invitations this fall. what are your invitations this fall. It's all linked up with the church pulse It's all linked up with the church pulse It's all linked up with the church pulse assessment from Bara and Glue. And it assessment from Bara and Glue. And it assessment from Bara and Glue. And it makes it very easy to engage every makes it very easy to engage every makes it very easy to engage every person in your church so they can person in your church so they can person in your church so they can participate. It wouldn't it be great if participate. It wouldn't it be great if participate. It wouldn't it be great if this fall you could take the guesswork this fall you could take the guesswork this fall you could take the guesswork out of making some of these most out of making some of these most out of making some of these most important ministry decisions and know important ministry decisions and know important ministry decisions and know exactly how your people are doing. So exactly how your people are doing. So exactly how your people are doing. So the church health dashboard is going to the church health dashboard is going to the church health dashboard is going to give you these insights to lead well give you these insights to lead well give you these insights to lead well into the fall and even beyond. Well, the into the fall and even beyond. Well, the into the fall and even beyond. Well, the thing I love about that is you can know thing I love about that is you can know thing I love about that is you can know ahead of time where you need to go by ahead of time where you need to go by ahead of time where you need to go by using that. You don't have to guess, using that. You don't have to guess, using that. You don't have to guess, right? So you can visit right? So you can visit right? So you can visit stateofthechurch.com/carry to launch stateofthechurch.com/carry to launch stateofthechurch.com/carry to launch your congregation's church pulse and your congregation's church pulse and your congregation's church pulse and lead your church into the next season lead your church into the next season lead your church into the next season with clarity and intention. Ryan, it's with clarity and intention. Ryan, it's with clarity and intention. Ryan, it's good to finally have you on the podcast.

good to finally have you on the podcast. good to finally have you on the podcast. Welcome. Thank you so much, man. It is Welcome. Thank you so much, man. It is Welcome. Thank you so much, man. It is an absolute honor. I am a massive fan of an absolute honor. I am a massive fan of an absolute honor. I am a massive fan of yours and I have to say the best book yours and I have to say the best book yours and I have to say the best book that I have read in the last 10 years that I have read in the last 10 years that I have read in the last 10 years was Didn't See It Coming. No way. was Didn't See It Coming. No way. was Didn't See It Coming. No way. Really? What? What? Okay. I tell Really? What? What? Okay. I tell Really? What? What? Okay. I tell everybody that I I'm like it is it's it everybody that I I'm like it is it's it everybody that I I'm like it is it's it is I I'm like everybody should be is I I'm like everybody should be is I I'm like everybody should be reading this book. Okay. I'm not this reading this book. Okay. I'm not this reading this book. Okay. I'm not this what that surprised me. Uh and so what that surprised me. Uh and so what that surprised me. Uh and so listeners please don't tune out. But I'm listeners please don't tune out. But I'm listeners please don't tune out. But I'm going to ask what what resonated with going to ask what what resonated with going to ask what what resonated with that because uh I do that was like seven that because uh I do that was like seven that because uh I do that was like seven years ago. I know. And I keep hearing years ago. I know. And I keep hearing years ago. I know. And I keep hearing people I've heard it prescribed at people I've heard it prescribed at people I've heard it prescribed at seminaries. Every first year student has seminaries. Every first year student has seminaries. Every first year student has to read this. People give it out to to read this. People give it out to to read this. People give it out to their teams. It's like every new staff their teams. It's like every new staff their teams. It's like every new staff have to hear it. What resonated because have to hear it. What resonated because have to hear it. What resonated because it was seven character issues, right, it was seven character issues, right, it was seven character issues, right, that came up? No, I just I think the way that came up? No, I just I think the way that came up? No, I just I think the way that you laid out the book, the way you that you laid out the book, the way you that you laid out the book, the way you set up the subject, I think it's a set up the subject, I think it's a set up the subject, I think it's a master class on writing. Thank you. The master class on writing. Thank you. The master class on writing. Thank you. The clarity um and and honestly, I can't clarity um and and honestly, I can't clarity um and and honestly, I can't tell you how many people I sit with that tell you how many people I sit with that tell you how many people I sit with that didn't see irrelevance coming.

didn't see irrelevance coming. didn't see irrelevance coming. Irrelevance. Yeah. They didn't see it. Irrelevance. Yeah. They didn't see it. Irrelevance. Yeah. They didn't see it. They just didn't see it. And I do I They just didn't see it. And I do I They just didn't see it. And I do I can't tell you how many people I'm like can't tell you how many people I'm like can't tell you how many people I'm like you got to like people go, "Hey man, you got to like people go, "Hey man, you got to like people go, "Hey man, what's your favorite? What's the book on what's your favorite? What's the book on what's your favorite? What's the book on your I'm" I'm like, "Dude, didn't see it your I'm" I'm like, "Dude, didn't see it your I'm" I'm like, "Dude, didn't see it coming. Didn't see Come. Who wrote coming. Didn't see Come. Who wrote coming. Didn't see Come. Who wrote these? Didn't see it coming." Like, I'm these? Didn't see it coming." Like, I'm these? Didn't see it coming." Like, I'm telling you, you got to go get Didn't telling you, you got to go get Didn't telling you, you got to go get Didn't see it coming. It is It is sensational. see it coming. It is It is sensational. see it coming. It is It is sensational. And it's it is just so I mean, it's just And it's it is just so I mean, it's just And it's it is just so I mean, it's just so practical. I could go on and on and so practical. I could go on and on and so practical. I could go on and on and on. This this is your podcast and I'm on. This this is your podcast and I'm on. This this is your podcast and I'm not interviewing you, but I could. Well, not interviewing you, but I could. Well, not interviewing you, but I could. Well, we'll leave it there. Uh, but you know we'll leave it there. Uh, but you know we'll leave it there. Uh, but you know what? You've had and I wrote it for what? You've had and I wrote it for what? You've had and I wrote it for people who find themselves in leadership people who find themselves in leadership people who find themselves in leadership and it's like, "Well, I knew I was going and it's like, "Well, I knew I was going and it's like, "Well, I knew I was going to have to lead a team. I knew I had to to have to lead a team. I knew I had to to have to lead a team. I knew I had to do this, but all this other stuff like do this, but all this other stuff like do this, but all this other stuff like I'm irrelevant before I know it. That's I'm irrelevant before I know it. That's I'm irrelevant before I know it. That's accelerated since the book. Cynicism, accelerated since the book. Cynicism, accelerated since the book. Cynicism, character compromise, all that stuff, character compromise, all that stuff, character compromise, all that stuff, right? Platform puts pressure on you. right? Platform puts pressure on you. right? Platform puts pressure on you. And few people, we were talking about And few people, we were talking about And few people, we were talking about this before we hit record. I sat at a uh this before we hit record. I sat at a uh this before we hit record. I sat at a uh at dinner with you with a mutual friend. at dinner with you with a mutual friend. at dinner with you with a mutual friend. We think maybe it was 10 years ago or We think maybe it was 10 years ago or We think maybe it was 10 years ago or so, maybe 11 years ago. and you had just so, maybe 11 years ago. and you had just so, maybe 11 years ago. and you had just gone viral over your wedding proposal.

gone viral over your wedding proposal. gone viral over your wedding proposal. Uh but what has happened to you? I mean, Uh but what has happened to you? I mean, Uh but what has happened to you? I mean, it's been a meteoric rise for Ryan. And it's been a meteoric rise for Ryan. And it's been a meteoric rise for Ryan. And so, I want to talk about that. You know, so, I want to talk about that. You know, so, I want to talk about that. You know, you went from literally selling shoes at you went from literally selling shoes at you went from literally selling shoes at a mall to speaking to Fortune 100 a mall to speaking to Fortune 100 a mall to speaking to Fortune 100 executives and one of the most executives and one of the most executives and one of the most soughtafter speakers in leadership, but soughtafter speakers in leadership, but soughtafter speakers in leadership, but also a preacher in the church as well also a preacher in the church as well also a preacher in the church as well who does a lot of guest teaching. Can who does a lot of guest teaching. Can who does a lot of guest teaching. Can you walk us through the journey and some you walk us through the journey and some you walk us through the journey and some of the key inflection points? Yeah. of the key inflection points? Yeah. of the key inflection points? Yeah. Well, you know, I I grew up in the Well, you know, I I grew up in the Well, you know, I I grew up in the church. My dad was a pastor at a small church. My dad was a pastor at a small church. My dad was a pastor at a small uh African Methodist Episcopal church, uh African Methodist Episcopal church, uh African Methodist Episcopal church, which for our listeners that that don't which for our listeners that that don't which for our listeners that that don't know what that means, just a black know what that means, just a black know what that means, just a black church. And then um in fifth grade, he church. And then um in fifth grade, he church. And then um in fifth grade, he suffered a stroke and I was already suffered a stroke and I was already suffered a stroke and I was already attending a private school that was attending a private school that was attending a private school that was connected to a very large Assemblies of connected to a very large Assemblies of connected to a very large Assemblies of God church, which which was God church, which which was God church, which which was predominantly white. And so, I went from predominantly white. And so, I went from predominantly white. And so, I went from um small black church to large white um small black church to large white um small black church to large white church. I went from three-hour long church. I went from three-hour long church. I went from three-hour long services to one-hour long services. And services to one-hour long services. And services to one-hour long services. And so I had this interesting uh emergency so I had this interesting uh emergency so I had this interesting uh emergency break of just like, whoa, church is break of just like, whoa, church is break of just like, whoa, church is different. I'm going to church with my different. I'm going to church with my different. I'm going to church with my friends. And I started to see things friends. And I started to see things friends. And I started to see things just a little bit different. Learned a just a little bit different. Learned a just a little bit different. Learned a lot about leadership uh during that lot about leadership uh during that lot about leadership uh during that season. And I noticed that in both season. And I noticed that in both season. And I noticed that in both churches, they made an impact on churches, they made an impact on churches, they made an impact on people's lives specifically on Sunday people's lives specifically on Sunday people's lives specifically on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights. And it was mornings, Wednesday nights. And it was mornings, Wednesday nights. And it was probably my senior year in high school probably my senior year in high school probably my senior year in high school that I thought, what if I could make a that I thought, what if I could make a that I thought, what if I could make a difference in somebody's life on a difference in somebody's life on a difference in somebody's life on a Monday or Tuesday or a Thursday or or a

Monday or Tuesday or a Thursday or or a Monday or Tuesday or a Thursday or or a Friday? And so I went to a Christian Friday? And so I went to a Christian Friday? And so I went to a Christian school and got a business degree. So, school and got a business degree. So, school and got a business degree. So, um, I never had my eyes set on um, I never had my eyes set on um, I never had my eyes set on specifically being in ministry, but specifically being in ministry, but specifically being in ministry, but always had a heart for it, but I had I always had a heart for it, but I had I always had a heart for it, but I had I had a business mind. And so, inevitably, had a business mind. And so, inevitably, had a business mind. And so, inevitably, uh, fresh out of college, uh, I started uh, fresh out of college, uh, I started uh, fresh out of college, uh, I started teaching at churches because that was teaching at churches because that was teaching at churches because that was what most of my network was. what most of my network was. what most of my network was. And I'll never forget, I was preaching And I'll never forget, I was preaching And I'll never forget, I was preaching in San Francisco and a CMO was in the in San Francisco and a CMO was in the in San Francisco and a CMO was in the audience and she said, "Ryan, is the audience and she said, "Ryan, is the audience and she said, "Ryan, is the best message I've ever heard and I work best message I've ever heard and I work best message I've ever heard and I work for a federal credit union across the for a federal credit union across the for a federal credit union across the street and I think if our staff heard street and I think if our staff heard street and I think if our staff heard that message, we'd be the best place to that message, we'd be the best place to that message, we'd be the best place to work in the city." H I said, "Oh, okay." work in the city." H I said, "Oh, okay." work in the city." H I said, "Oh, okay." She goes, "Would you come and do that She goes, "Would you come and do that She goes, "Would you come and do that message, but you can't use the verses?" message, but you can't use the verses?" message, but you can't use the verses?" And I'm like, "I mean, I guess I can And I'm like, "I mean, I guess I can And I'm like, "I mean, I guess I can figure it out." And then she goes, "You figure it out." And then she goes, "You figure it out." And then she goes, "You think you can do an all day seminar?" I think you can do an all day seminar?" I think you can do an all day seminar?" I have no idea to this day why I said yes, have no idea to this day why I said yes, have no idea to this day why I said yes, but for some odd reason. And how old but for some odd reason. And how old but for some odd reason. And how old were you at the time? Oh my goodness. I were you at the time? Oh my goodness. I were you at the time? Oh my goodness. I was 27. Yeah. Had never done a corporate was 27. Yeah. Had never done a corporate was 27. Yeah. Had never done a corporate keynote in my life, let alone an all day keynote in my life, let alone an all day keynote in my life, let alone an all day seminar. And so I went and you know put seminar. And so I went and you know put seminar. And so I went and you know put together an eight hour day of exercises together an eight hour day of exercises together an eight hour day of exercises and we kind of built it together. And and we kind of built it together. And and we kind of built it together. And then uh from that point on I started then uh from that point on I started then uh from that point on I started sharing stories about in church about sharing stories about in church about sharing stories about in church about how I think we can make an impact uh in how I think we can make an impact uh in how I think we can make an impact uh in corporate environments. In fact I think corporate environments. In fact I think corporate environments. In fact I think every Christian will spend most of their every Christian will spend most of their every Christian will spend most of their life at work. And so if we can train life at work. And so if we can train life at work. And so if we can train people to be able to share their faith people to be able to share their faith people to be able to share their faith where they're going to spend most of where they're going to spend most of where they're going to spend most of their time it actually changed how I

their time it actually changed how I their time it actually changed how I teach uh the gospel alto together and I teach uh the gospel alto together and I teach uh the gospel alto together and I use a lot of work examples. And so I use a lot of work examples. And so I use a lot of work examples. And so I started saying instead of you need to started saying instead of you need to started saying instead of you need to forgive your dad, I started saying you forgive your dad, I started saying you forgive your dad, I started saying you need to forgive your boss. And I started need to forgive your boss. And I started need to forgive your boss. And I started to notice that it it resonated with to notice that it it resonated with to notice that it it resonated with people and and people's companies people and and people's companies people and and people's companies started bringing me in more and more and started bringing me in more and more and started bringing me in more and more and more and more and uh and it just kind of more and more and uh and it just kind of more and more and uh and it just kind of built from there. built from there. built from there. What were some inflection points along What were some inflection points along What were some inflection points along the way though? Because I remember from the way though? Because I remember from the way though? Because I remember from that dinner a decade ago to Fortune 100 that dinner a decade ago to Fortune 100 that dinner a decade ago to Fortune 100 to the GLS like in front of a quarter to the GLS like in front of a quarter to the GLS like in front of a quarter million people or however many people at million people or however many people at million people or however many people at the GLS literally to one of the most the GLS literally to one of the most the GLS literally to one of the most soughtafter speakers today. Um I' I'd soughtafter speakers today. Um I' I'd soughtafter speakers today. Um I' I'd love to know were there a couple of love to know were there a couple of love to know were there a couple of takeoff points or there was that one CMO takeoff points or there was that one CMO takeoff points or there was that one CMO sitting in the crowd? What else sitting in the crowd? What else sitting in the crowd? What else happened? cuz I you know you know one of happened? cuz I you know you know one of happened? cuz I you know you know one of the reasons I'm asking A I'm curious B the reasons I'm asking A I'm curious B the reasons I'm asking A I'm curious B I get like you probably get even more so I get like you probably get even more so I get like you probably get even more so lots of young leaders going how do I lots of young leaders going how do I lots of young leaders going how do I break through? How do I get hurt among break through? How do I get hurt among break through? How do I get hurt among the noise? You got hurt among the noise.

the noise? You got hurt among the noise. the noise? You got hurt among the noise. Yeah. Yeah. That that's a good question. Yeah. Yeah. That that's a good question. Yeah. Yeah. That that's a good question. I I think a couple of things happened. I I think a couple of things happened. I I think a couple of things happened. Um Orange Conference was one of those at Um Orange Conference was one of those at Um Orange Conference was one of those at that table that you and I met at 10 that table that you and I met at 10 that table that you and I met at 10 years ago. I remember our mutual friend years ago. I remember our mutual friend years ago. I remember our mutual friend saying, "Hey, uh, I'm going to give you saying, "Hey, uh, I'm going to give you saying, "Hey, uh, I'm going to give you seven seven seven minutes." I thought, "Seven? I'm going minutes." I thought, "Seven? I'm going minutes." I thought, "Seven? I'm going to fly to to fly to to fly to Atlanta for seven minutes." Atlanta for seven minutes." Atlanta for seven minutes." Like, that was my first respon. I was Like, that was my first respon. I was Like, that was my first respon. I was like, "Why am I I'm not flying to like, "Why am I I'm not flying to like, "Why am I I'm not flying to Atlanta for seven minutes." Uhhuh. And Atlanta for seven minutes." Uhhuh. And Atlanta for seven minutes." Uhhuh. And and then it's just like, "But Ryan, if and then it's just like, "But Ryan, if and then it's just like, "But Ryan, if you've been given 7 minutes, just do a you've been given 7 minutes, just do a you've been given 7 minutes, just do a great job with the seven minutes that great job with the seven minutes that great job with the seven minutes that you've been given." So, I flew to you've been given." So, I flew to you've been given." So, I flew to Atlanta and I did 7 minutes. Here's Atlanta and I did 7 minutes. Here's Atlanta and I did 7 minutes. Here's what's funny. After that 7 minutes, our what's funny. After that 7 minutes, our what's funny. After that 7 minutes, our mutual friend called another mutual mutual friend called another mutual mutual friend called another mutual friend named Andy Stanley and said, friend named Andy Stanley and said, friend named Andy Stanley and said, "Hey, let me just tell you what a kid "Hey, let me just tell you what a kid "Hey, let me just tell you what a kid just did in 7 minutes at Orange just did in 7 minutes at Orange just did in 7 minutes at Orange Conference." Mhm. And then I went from 7 Conference." Mhm. And then I went from 7 Conference." Mhm. And then I went from 7 minutes there to 45 minutes at North minutes there to 45 minutes at North minutes there to 45 minutes at North Point Community Church. There you go. Point Community Church. There you go. Point Community Church. There you go. And so, and there was a real And so, and there was a real And so, and there was a real estate brokerage owner who was an estate brokerage owner who was an estate brokerage owner who was an audience who also had me speak at their audience who also had me speak at their audience who also had me speak at their company. uh the Dallas Mavericks were at company. uh the Dallas Mavericks were at company. uh the Dallas Mavericks were at a church and heard me and then they had a church and heard me and then they had a church and heard me and then they had me come speak at their company that led me come speak at their company that led me come speak at their company that led to several MBA opportunities. I think to several MBA opportunities. I think to several MBA opportunities. I think part of it is just having a a part of it is just having a a part of it is just having a a consistency of messaging and excellence consistency of messaging and excellence consistency of messaging and excellence that you bring. I also think it's it's that you bring. I also think it's it's that you bring. I also think it's it's really how you how you treat people really how you how you treat people really how you how you treat people along along that journey. And so I I I

along along that journey. And so I I I along along that journey. And so I I I today I do 120 events a year, which today I do 120 events a year, which today I do 120 events a year, which means I do about 120 pre-event calls. So means I do about 120 pre-event calls. So means I do about 120 pre-event calls. So I'm talking to companies every single I'm talking to companies every single I'm talking to companies every single day about their challenges, their day about their challenges, their day about their challenges, their hiccups. And I'm also asking them, hey, hiccups. And I'm also asking them, hey, hiccups. And I'm also asking them, hey, who's the best speaker you've ever heard who's the best speaker you've ever heard who's the best speaker you've ever heard and why? Who's the worst speaker you've and why? Who's the worst speaker you've and why? Who's the worst speaker you've ever had and why? Because I want to ever had and why? Because I want to ever had and why? Because I want to learn from both. And so when you when learn from both. And so when you when learn from both. And so when you when you do that, what you begin to learn is you do that, what you begin to learn is you do that, what you begin to learn is well, if you learn a lot from the worst well, if you learn a lot from the worst well, if you learn a lot from the worst speakers, I've learned more from the speakers, I've learned more from the speakers, I've learned more from the worst speakers than I have the best worst speakers than I have the best worst speakers than I have the best speakers because you go, this is what speakers because you go, this is what speakers because you go, this is what you don't do. And all of the stories of you don't do. And all of the stories of you don't do. And all of the stories of the worst speakers had nothing to do the worst speakers had nothing to do the worst speakers had nothing to do with what they said on stage. What did with what they said on stage. What did with what they said on stage. What did it have to do? That's a great question it have to do? That's a great question it have to do? That's a great question to ask. How they make people feel, how to ask. How they make people feel, how to ask. How they make people feel, how they treated people. I literally just they treated people. I literally just they treated people. I literally just got off of a pre-event call before this got off of a pre-event call before this got off of a pre-event call before this podcast recording, asked them that podcast recording, asked them that podcast recording, asked them that question, and they and I I said, "Who's question, and they and I I said, "Who's question, and they and I I said, "Who's the worst speaker you've ever had?" And the worst speaker you've ever had?" And the worst speaker you've ever had?" And they didn't even say the name. They said they didn't even say the name. They said they didn't even say the name. They said it was this guy and he just bered our AV it was this guy and he just bered our AV it was this guy and he just bered our AV team. Oh, wow. Oh, yeah. And I'm like, team. Oh, wow. Oh, yeah. And I'm like, team. Oh, wow. Oh, yeah. And I'm like, "Well, speak 101. Make friends with the "Well, speak 101. Make friends with the "Well, speak 101. Make friends with the AV team." You know, it's like they just AV team." You know, it's like they just AV team." You know, it's like they just they don't even remember what he said they don't even remember what he said they don't even remember what he said because they tuned it out because of how because they tuned it out because of how because they tuned it out because of how they treated people. And then I did they treated people. And then I did they treated people. And then I did another pre-event call after that and another pre-event call after that and another pre-event call after that and they said, "Ryan, we can't wait for you they said, "Ryan, we can't wait for you they said, "Ryan, we can't wait for you to make a video for our people to make a video for our people to make a video for our people because man, I don't know what it is, because man, I don't know what it is, because man, I don't know what it is, but on video it I just want to be your but on video it I just want to be your but on video it I just want to be your friend." I was like, "Oh, I want to be friend." I was like, "Oh, I want to be friend." I was like, "Oh, I want to be your friend." And so there's it has your friend." And so there's it has your friend." And so there's it has nothing to do with what I've said on nothing to do with what I've said on nothing to do with what I've said on stage. It's how you make people feel stage. It's how you make people feel stage. It's how you make people feel long before you ever even get on stage

long before you ever even get on stage long before you ever even get on stage that I think builds relationships over that I think builds relationships over that I think builds relationships over time. And I think you've got to have a time. And I think you've got to have a time. And I think you've got to have a message that truly solves people's message that truly solves people's message that truly solves people's problems and how you carry yourself. So problems and how you carry yourself. So problems and how you carry yourself. So I think those are all important things I think those are all important things I think those are all important things if you're trying to break through the if you're trying to break through the if you're trying to break through the noise. All right. Now you got me noise. All right. Now you got me noise. All right. Now you got me curious. So those seven minutes and lots curious. So those seven minutes and lots curious. So those seven minutes and lots of people have been given seven minutes. of people have been given seven minutes. of people have been given seven minutes. Now that was in front of 8,000 people or Now that was in front of 8,000 people or Now that was in front of 8,000 people or however many thousand it was. It was a however many thousand it was. It was a however many thousand it was. It was a lot of people. But I have seen so many lot of people. But I have seen so many lot of people. But I have seen so many people platformed in big arenas for a people platformed in big arenas for a people platformed in big arenas for a few minutes and that's it. It's over. few minutes and that's it. It's over. few minutes and that's it. It's over. And you know our mutual friend Reggie And you know our mutual friend Reggie And you know our mutual friend Reggie Joiner if people are wondering has had Joiner if people are wondering has had Joiner if people are wondering has had platformed dozens and dozens of people platformed dozens and dozens of people platformed dozens and dozens of people including me over the years and most of including me over the years and most of including me over the years and most of them that's it. You never hear from them them that's it. You never hear from them them that's it. You never hear from them again or they go on to do something again or they go on to do something again or they go on to do something else. How did you leverage those seven else. How did you leverage those seven else. How did you leverage those seven minutes? What did you do to make sure minutes? What did you do to make sure minutes? What did you do to make sure that those were the best seven minutes that those were the best seven minutes that those were the best seven minutes that you could bring at that time with that you could bring at that time with that you could bring at that time with your skill set?

your skill set? your skill set? That's a great question. I I think I That's a great question. I I think I That's a great question. I I think I am maniacal when it comes to am maniacal when it comes to am maniacal when it comes to preparation. preparation. preparation. Um at my church, I used to be given Um at my church, I used to be given Um at my church, I used to be given three minutes for three minutes for three minutes for offering. I would plan one month for offering. I would plan one month for offering. I would plan one month for that three minutes. I would make sure that three minutes. I would make sure that three minutes. I would make sure that that three minutes was the best that that three minutes was the best that that three minutes was the best three minutes somebody had ever had in a three minutes somebody had ever had in a three minutes somebody had ever had in a church experience in their life. I church experience in their life. I church experience in their life. I treated it like it was Catalyst. I treated it like it was Catalyst. I treated it like it was Catalyst. I treated it like it was orange conference treated it like it was orange conference treated it like it was orange conference and there and people would tell me often and there and people would tell me often and there and people would tell me often they go, "I think offering was better they go, "I think offering was better they go, "I think offering was better than the than the than the message." And I would just kind of smile message." And I would just kind of smile message." And I would just kind of smile and not in an arrogant way, but I would and not in an arrogant way, but I would and not in an arrogant way, but I would say yeah because I prepared for it. feel say yeah because I prepared for it. feel say yeah because I prepared for it. feel like I I dialed in jokes, stories, and I like I I dialed in jokes, stories, and I like I I dialed in jokes, stories, and I thought I've been given three minutes. thought I've been given three minutes. thought I've been given three minutes. And so I'm not an opportunist. I'm a And so I'm not an opportunist. I'm a And so I'm not an opportunist. I'm a stewardist. Like I steward the stewardist. Like I steward the stewardist. Like I steward the opportunity. If you give me the opportunity. If you give me the opportunity. If you give me the opportunity, the way I see it, somebody, opportunity, the way I see it, somebody, opportunity, the way I see it, somebody, no matter what event I'm doing, somebody no matter what event I'm doing, somebody no matter what event I'm doing, somebody has put their name on the line for me.

has put their name on the line for me. has put their name on the line for me. For Orange, it was Sam Collier. Mhm. Sam For Orange, it was Sam Collier. Mhm. Sam For Orange, it was Sam Collier. Mhm. Sam said, "Hey, Reggie, I want to introduce said, "Hey, Reggie, I want to introduce said, "Hey, Reggie, I want to introduce you to my friend." Oh, was Sam. That's you to my friend." Oh, was Sam. That's you to my friend." Oh, was Sam. That's the Okay, there's the connection. Yeah. the Okay, there's the connection. Yeah. the Okay, there's the connection. Yeah. And so in my mind, in that seven And so in my mind, in that seven And so in my mind, in that seven minutes, I go, I'm going to make Sam minutes, I go, I'm going to make Sam minutes, I go, I'm going to make Sam look good today. look good today. look good today. Because Sam has introduced a lot of Because Sam has introduced a lot of Because Sam has introduced a lot of people to Reggie Joiner. Yep. Yeah. But people to Reggie Joiner. Yep. Yeah. But people to Reggie Joiner. Yep. Yeah. But I want to be the one that Reggie goes, I want to be the one that Reggie goes, I want to be the one that Reggie goes, "Hey, Sam. "Hey, Sam. "Hey, Sam. Great intro. Great intro. Great intro. And I have that times 120 every every And I have that times 120 every every And I have that times 120 every every single from CMO to CEO to past leader to single from CMO to CEO to past leader to single from CMO to CEO to past leader to pastor. It doesn't matter who it is. If pastor. It doesn't matter who it is. If pastor. It doesn't matter who it is. If you introduce me, I'm going to make you you introduce me, I'm going to make you you introduce me, I'm going to make you look good. Like that's that's my look good. Like that's that's my look good. Like that's that's my mindset. It's always a Super Bowl. If mindset. It's always a Super Bowl. If mindset. It's always a Super Bowl. If it's 3 minutes, 20, 60 minutes, it's 3 minutes, 20, 60 minutes, it's 3 minutes, 20, 60 minutes, everything's a Super Bowl. Some people everything's a Super Bowl. Some people everything's a Super Bowl. Some people are like, "Man, I saw you at GLS, man. are like, "Man, I saw you at GLS, man. are like, "Man, I saw you at GLS, man. Congratulations." I'm like, "That's Congratulations." I'm like, "That's Congratulations." I'm like, "That's great." Um, I can't tell you how many great." Um, I can't tell you how many great." Um, I can't tell you how many events I do. It's always somebody's events I do. It's always somebody's events I do. It's always somebody's Super Bowl. They're like, "Oh my gosh, Super Bowl. They're like, "Oh my gosh, Super Bowl. They're like, "Oh my gosh, you're speaking at NADA. What's NADA?" I you're speaking at NADA. What's NADA?" I you're speaking at NADA. What's NADA?" I don't know what NADA is. You're speaking don't know what NADA is. You're speaking don't know what NADA is. You're speaking at PCMA. You're speaking at FICP. On my at PCMA. You're speaking at FICP. On my at PCMA. You're speaking at FICP. On my calendar, a bunch of acronyms. Just calendar, a bunch of acronyms. Just calendar, a bunch of acronyms. Just acronyms for days. And guess what? They acronyms for days. And guess what? They acronyms for days. And guess what? They all are Super all are Super all are Super Bowls for somebody. Wow. And somebody's Bowls for somebody. Wow. And somebody's Bowls for somebody. Wow. And somebody's put their name on the line for me. And put their name on the line for me. And put their name on the line for me. And so, I think my my preparation is so, I think my my preparation is so, I think my my preparation is absolutely maniacal. And it's been that absolutely maniacal. And it's been that absolutely maniacal. And it's been that way for over a decade. So with that

way for over a decade. So with that way for over a decade. So with that seven minutes, I seven minutes, I seven minutes, I thought I am going to crush it as best thought I am going to crush it as best thought I am going to crush it as best to my ability with the seven minutes to my ability with the seven minutes to my ability with the seven minutes I've been given. And I want to be able I've been given. And I want to be able I've been given. And I want to be able to get the plane off the ground and I to get the plane off the ground and I to get the plane off the ground and I want to give give it a nice soft want to give give it a nice soft want to give give it a nice soft landing. I want people to be inspired. I landing. I want people to be inspired. I landing. I want people to be inspired. I want it to be memorable. And I think want it to be memorable. And I think want it to be memorable. And I think naturally I'm a storyteller and I've got naturally I'm a storyteller and I've got naturally I'm a storyteller and I've got some charisma that I I think can can some charisma that I I think can can some charisma that I I think can can make things a little bit more uh make things a little bit more uh make things a little bit more uh exciting than normal. But I'm I'm exciting than normal. But I'm I'm exciting than normal. But I'm I'm maniacal on the preparation. Let's break maniacal on the preparation. Let's break maniacal on the preparation. Let's break it down to something the vast well not it down to something the vast well not it down to something the vast well not maybe the vast majority but a lot of maybe the vast majority but a lot of maybe the vast majority but a lot of people listening to this can relate to people listening to this can relate to people listening to this can relate to the threeinut offering or announcement the threeinut offering or announcement the threeinut offering or announcement window. Oh yeah. you're you're given 3 window. Oh yeah. you're you're given 3 window. Oh yeah. you're you're given 3 minutes to do let's pick up the minutes to do let's pick up the minutes to do let's pick up the offering. How do you prepare for a month offering. How do you prepare for a month offering. How do you prepare for a month for that? What goes into that? for that? What goes into that? for that? What goes into that? So, a couple of things. One, you think So, a couple of things. One, you think So, a couple of things. One, you think about what are some people's hurdles to about what are some people's hurdles to about what are some people's hurdles to giving? Um, they don't trust pastors.

giving? Um, they don't trust pastors. giving? Um, they don't trust pastors. They don't trust what we're going to do They don't trust what we're going to do They don't trust what we're going to do with the money. They're they could think with the money. They're they could think with the money. They're they could think that we've got a private plane. Um, I that we've got a private plane. Um, I that we've got a private plane. Um, I like to address the elephant in the like to address the elephant in the like to address the elephant in the room. Um, I may say something room. Um, I may say something room. Um, I may say something like, "Uh, oh, and by the way, there's like, "Uh, oh, and by the way, there's like, "Uh, oh, and by the way, there's no private planes here. I flew Southwest no private planes here. I flew Southwest no private planes here. I flew Southwest group B yesterday." You see, immediately group B yesterday." You see, immediately group B yesterday." You see, immediately it's just like, "Oh, okay. Now you're it's just like, "Oh, okay. Now you're it's just like, "Oh, okay. Now you're you I've disarmed you." Does that make you I've disarmed you." Does that make you I've disarmed you." Does that make sense? If if it was a couple of weeks sense? If if it was a couple of weeks sense? If if it was a couple of weeks ago, I would say, "Hey, I I flew upside ago, I would say, "Hey, I I flew upside ago, I would say, "Hey, I I flew upside down Delta last week." Everybody would down Delta last week." Everybody would down Delta last week." Everybody would laugh. Does that make So immediately laugh. Does that make So immediately laugh. Does that make So immediately you're like, "Okay, this this guy isn't you're like, "Okay, this this guy isn't you're like, "Okay, this this guy isn't like the other guys that we think." So like the other guys that we think." So like the other guys that we think." So you you immediately disarm people and you you immediately disarm people and you you immediately disarm people and then you're you're looking for a verse then you're you're looking for a verse then you're you're looking for a verse that isn't Malachi that isn't Malachi that isn't Malachi 3. Uh you're looking for uh something in 3. Uh you're looking for uh something in 3. Uh you're looking for uh something in the scripture that is the scripture that is the scripture that is peculiar. Um it's not unique. It's in peculiar. Um it's not unique. It's in peculiar. Um it's not unique. It's in the Bible. It's been there for thousands the Bible. It's been there for thousands the Bible. It's been there for thousands of years. So it's not like you're going of years. So it's not like you're going of years. So it's not like you're going to find a verse no one's ever seen. But to find a verse no one's ever seen. But to find a verse no one's ever seen. But if if you're you're looking for for if if you're you're looking for for if if you're you're looking for for something that has um challenged you something that has um challenged you something that has um challenged you personally, whether it's a life verse, a personally, whether it's a life verse, a personally, whether it's a life verse, a moment, uh for me, um I had a moment in moment, uh for me, um I had a moment in moment, uh for me, um I had a moment in that church where I was sitting in the that church where I was sitting in the that church where I was sitting in the balcony hesitant to give and was balcony hesitant to give and was balcony hesitant to give and was paycheck to paycheck and and said, "God, paycheck to paycheck and and said, "God, paycheck to paycheck and and said, "God, I trust you." And man, I just had a I trust you." And man, I just had a I trust you." And man, I just had a crazy uh breakthrough that happened in crazy uh breakthrough that happened in crazy uh breakthrough that happened in my life from just trusting God with with my life from just trusting God with with my life from just trusting God with with my finances. And so, so I think you're my finances. And so, so I think you're my finances. And so, so I think you're always trying to pull from some personal always trying to pull from some personal always trying to pull from some personal experience. You're trying to have some

experience. You're trying to have some experience. You're trying to have some humor. Um, you're also trying to point humor. Um, you're also trying to point humor. Um, you're also trying to point to something uh within that organization to something uh within that organization to something uh within that organization that actually has impacted a life that that actually has impacted a life that that actually has impacted a life that week. So, part of that prep too isn't week. So, part of that prep too isn't week. So, part of that prep too isn't just the scripture and just your humor. just the scripture and just your humor. just the scripture and just your humor. It's also uh calling the community It's also uh calling the community It's also uh calling the community pastor. Hey, what do we do this week? pastor. Hey, what do we do this week? pastor. Hey, what do we do this week? What impact have we actually had? not What impact have we actually had? not What impact have we actually had? not just a testimonial video, but what is just a testimonial video, but what is just a testimonial video, but what is what is some some real impact that that what is some some real impact that that what is some some real impact that that we've been able to have um as a church. we've been able to have um as a church. we've been able to have um as a church. And I think being able to share those And I think being able to share those And I think being able to share those stories truly truly inspires people. And stories truly truly inspires people. And stories truly truly inspires people. And so I think if you're just getting up so I think if you're just getting up so I think if you're just getting up there and you're just trying to get there and you're just trying to get there and you're just trying to get through the announcements, then through the announcements, then through the announcements, then um I think you're doing a disservice. um I think you're doing a disservice. um I think you're doing a disservice. You're phoning it in. I always say you You're phoning it in. I always say you You're phoning it in. I always say you never know who's in the room. never know who's in the room. never know who's in the room. you absolutely never know who's in the you absolutely never know who's in the you absolutely never know who's in the room. And so you you have to treat every room. And so you you have to treat every room. And so you you have to treat every room like it's it's the last room you're room like it's it's the last room you're room like it's it's the last room you're going to be in. And so you uh you you going to be in. And so you uh you you going to be in. And so you uh you you give your best. Funny enough, I was give your best. Funny enough, I was give your best. Funny enough, I was speaking at an event and one day the CEO speaking at an event and one day the CEO speaking at an event and one day the CEO called me and said, "Hey, what's the called me and said, "Hey, what's the called me and said, "Hey, what's the address of of your church?" I was like, address of of your church?" I was like, address of of your church?" I was like, "Oh, you know, I gave him the address.

"Oh, you know, I gave him the address. "Oh, you know, I gave him the address. He sent our church $100,000 and he's He sent our church $100,000 and he's He sent our church $100,000 and he's never been there before in his life." never been there before in his life." never been there before in his life." Wow. And so you're able to say, "Hey, Wow. And so you're able to say, "Hey, Wow. And so you're able to say, "Hey, you know, this is what a stranger is you know, this is what a stranger is you know, this is what a stranger is doing." Man, that challenged me as a doing." Man, that challenged me as a doing." Man, that challenged me as a person to say, "Well, what are you going person to say, "Well, what are you going person to say, "Well, what are you going to do for the for the place that is to do for the for the place that is to do for the for the place that is investing the most in your family, investing the most in your family, investing the most in your family, praying for your family, helping your praying for your family, helping your praying for your family, helping your kids grow in their relationship?" So, kids grow in their relationship?" So, kids grow in their relationship?" So, again, you're you're trying to pull as again, you're you're trying to pull as again, you're you're trying to pull as many uh authentic stories that isn't many uh authentic stories that isn't many uh authentic stories that isn't manipulation. You're not twisting manipulation. You're not twisting manipulation. You're not twisting people's arms, but you're you're really people's arms, but you're you're really people's arms, but you're you're really thinking about that three minutes. It's thinking about that three minutes. It's thinking about that three minutes. It's not just another Sunday. Sometimes, not just another Sunday. Sometimes, not just another Sunday. Sometimes, again, it's the Super Bowl. So, every again, it's the Super Bowl. So, every again, it's the Super Bowl. So, every church I speak at, every organization I church I speak at, every organization I church I speak at, every organization I speak for, it's like I I look at myself speak for, it's like I I look at myself speak for, it's like I I look at myself like a professional athlete in a sense like a professional athlete in a sense like a professional athlete in a sense of of of like somebody saved up money to be in like somebody saved up money to be in like somebody saved up money to be in the arena. And so, this could be the arena. And so, this could be the arena. And so, this could be somebody's only Sunday. It could be somebody's only Sunday. It could be somebody's only Sunday. It could be their first Sunday. And I want to make their first Sunday. And I want to make their first Sunday. And I want to make sure I hope it's me every single time. sure I hope it's me every single time. sure I hope it's me every single time. My favorite moment when I walk into a My favorite moment when I walk into a My favorite moment when I walk into a church that I've been to before is when church that I've been to before is when church that I've been to before is when somebody says, "Is it you today?" And I somebody says, "Is it you today?" And I somebody says, "Is it you today?" And I say, "Yeah." And they go, "Yes, I say, "Yeah." And they go, "Yes, I say, "Yeah." And they go, "Yes, I brought my brought my brought my brother. Yes, I brought my boss. Yes, my brother. Yes, I brought my boss. Yes, my brother. Yes, I brought my boss. Yes, my mom came." It's like, I'm your guy. And mom came." It's like, I'm your guy. And mom came." It's like, I'm your guy. And guess what? I've been preparing for him guess what? I've been preparing for him guess what? I've been preparing for him all week. I got your brother today. I all week. I got your brother today. I all week. I got your brother today. I got your boss today. I wrote this for got your boss today. I wrote this for got your boss today. I wrote this for them with them in mind. It's like I'm them with them in mind. It's like I'm them with them in mind. It's like I'm maniacal when it comes to to prep. And maniacal when it comes to to prep. And maniacal when it comes to to prep. And so even if it's three minutes, I'm

so even if it's three minutes, I'm so even if it's three minutes, I'm thinking about that first time visitor. thinking about that first time visitor. thinking about that first time visitor. I'm thinking about the person that is I'm thinking about the person that is I'm thinking about the person that is reluctant to give. And and I think the reluctant to give. And and I think the reluctant to give. And and I think the number one value system in my life is number one value system in my life is number one value system in my life is generosity. So when you when that's a generosity. So when you when that's a generosity. So when you when that's a true value of your own, you're able to true value of your own, you're able to true value of your own, you're able to actually have a lot of stories around actually have a lot of stories around actually have a lot of stories around that. So So that's what goes into my that. So So that's what goes into my that. So So that's what goes into my prep for just three minutes of an prep for just three minutes of an prep for just three minutes of an offering. offering. offering. So, drilling down a little bit more on So, drilling down a little bit more on So, drilling down a little bit more on that, I guess my question is why you're that, I guess my question is why you're that, I guess my question is why you're in your early 20s, you're not doing in your early 20s, you're not doing in your early 20s, you're not doing keynotes, you get three minutes for an keynotes, you get three minutes for an keynotes, you get three minutes for an offering window. And I can see a lot of offering window. And I can see a lot of offering window. And I can see a lot of people saying, Ryan, you know what? When people saying, Ryan, you know what? When people saying, Ryan, you know what? When when I get paid lots of money to do a when I get paid lots of money to do a when I get paid lots of money to do a keynote for a company, I'm going to be keynote for a company, I'm going to be keynote for a company, I'm going to be maniacal about my prep. But, you know, maniacal about my prep. But, you know, maniacal about my prep. But, you know, our church has only got a few people in our church has only got a few people in our church has only got a few people in it and it's just three minutes on it and it's just three minutes on it and it's just three minutes on Sunday. So, you know, what was it that Sunday. So, you know, what was it that Sunday. So, you know, what was it that at a young age made you maniacal about at a young age made you maniacal about at a young age made you maniacal about prep when there was quote nothing on the prep when there was quote nothing on the prep when there was quote nothing on the line and you weren't even being paid? line and you weren't even being paid? line and you weren't even being paid? Yeah, that's a great question. I I think Yeah, that's a great question. I I think Yeah, that's a great question. I I think a couple of things if I'm being a couple of things if I'm being a couple of things if I'm being transparent and and vulnerable. Number transparent and and vulnerable. Number transparent and and vulnerable. Number one, I I felt like one, I I felt like one, I I felt like um a being a Christian, b being um a being a Christian, b being um a being a Christian, b being AfricanAmerican, AfricanAmerican, AfricanAmerican, uh c representing my family. I feel like uh c representing my family. I feel like uh c representing my family. I feel like I represent a lot. Um I take great pride I represent a lot. Um I take great pride I represent a lot. Um I take great pride in being a Christian in corporate in being a Christian in corporate in being a Christian in corporate America. I take great pride in the fact America. I take great pride in the fact America. I take great pride in the fact that if you give me a stage, if Reggie, that if you give me a stage, if Reggie, that if you give me a stage, if Reggie, if Andy, Rick Warren, John Maxwell, you

if Andy, Rick Warren, John Maxwell, you if Andy, Rick Warren, John Maxwell, you name the different people that have name the different people that have name the different people that have given me given me given me opportunities, I want to make sure that opportunities, I want to make sure that opportunities, I want to make sure that I represent all of the people that I I represent all of the people that I I represent all of the people that I represent extremely well. And so I just represent extremely well. And so I just represent extremely well. And so I just I take it all seriously. You you never I take it all seriously. You you never I take it all seriously. You you never know who's who's in the room. And so you know who's who's in the room. And so you know who's who's in the room. And so you just you give your best to every room just you give your best to every room just you give your best to every room and you treat everybody like they're and you treat everybody like they're and you treat everybody like they're somebody. Uh but I there's so many somebody. Uh but I there's so many somebody. Uh but I there's so many different uh NBA teams that have different uh NBA teams that have different uh NBA teams that have different ownership structures. There's different ownership structures. There's different ownership structures. There's one team who um the owner who owns 1% of one team who um the owner who owns 1% of one team who um the owner who owns 1% of of the team is actually an of the team is actually an of the team is actually an intern. His family is intern. His family is intern. His family is multi-billionaires, but he has 1% of the multi-billionaires, but he has 1% of the multi-billionaires, but he has 1% of the team. He's in his late 20s and he's an team. He's in his late 20s and he's an team. He's in his late 20s and he's an intern for the organization and the only intern for the organization and the only intern for the organization and the only people that know are the GM and the people that know are the GM and the people that know are the GM and the president. They are literally president. They are literally president. They are literally working with their owner every day and working with their owner every day and working with their owner every day and they don't know it. It is literal they don't know it. It is literal they don't know it. It is literal undercover boss because he wanted to undercover boss because he wanted to undercover boss because he wanted to learn the organization from the ground learn the organization from the ground learn the organization from the ground up. And it's amazing how people treat up. And it's amazing how people treat up. And it's amazing how people treat them and they don't know. And so I just them and they don't know. And so I just them and they don't know. And so I just tell everybody, treat everybody like tell everybody, treat everybody like tell everybody, treat everybody like they're somebody. Treat every they're somebody. Treat every they're somebody. Treat every opportunity like it's the opportunity.

opportunity like it's the opportunity. opportunity like it's the opportunity. You never know. Like if I told you, hey, You never know. Like if I told you, hey, You never know. Like if I told you, hey, you're going to speak to a group of you're going to speak to a group of you're going to speak to a group of interns for this professional sports interns for this professional sports interns for this professional sports team. You would go, "Okay, cool. I guess." And it may not be "Okay, cool. I guess." And it may not be a big duty. I'm just I'm going, "No, if a big duty. I'm just I'm going, "No, if a big duty. I'm just I'm going, "No, if I'm you, I give my absolute best. It I'm you, I give my absolute best. It I'm you, I give my absolute best. It doesn't matter." like on some level it's doesn't matter." like on some level it's doesn't matter." like on some level it's a stewardship level. Um one day I'm a stewardship level. Um one day I'm a stewardship level. Um one day I'm going to stand before God and give an going to stand before God and give an going to stand before God and give an account for what I did with what he gave account for what I did with what he gave account for what I did with what he gave me. And so for me me. And so for me me. And so for me um no stone unturned. I want to give my um no stone unturned. I want to give my um no stone unturned. I want to give my absolute best to to the best of my absolute best to to the best of my absolute best to to the best of my ability. I'm not I don't it's not a ability. I'm not I don't it's not a ability. I'm not I don't it's not a grand slam every time I get a grand slam every time I get a grand slam every time I get a microphone. But is the effort always microphone. But is the effort always microphone. But is the effort always going to be there? 100%. going to be there? 100%. going to be there? 100%. I could go in a number of different I could go in a number of different I could go in a number of different directions. I do want to ask about your directions. I do want to ask about your directions. I do want to ask about your parents. You know your dad had that parents. You know your dad had that parents. You know your dad had that lifealtering event. uh what what lifealtering event. uh what what lifealtering event. uh what what happened with your dad and then I'm happened with your dad and then I'm happened with your dad and then I'm curious about you know did your parents curious about you know did your parents curious about you know did your parents instill that in you young like what instill that in you young like what instill that in you young like what forged that because not everybody has forged that because not everybody has forged that because not everybody has that attitude coming into life. I think that attitude coming into life. I think that attitude coming into life. I think there is a little bit of an there is a little bit of an there is a little bit of an entrepreneurial spirit and an entrepreneurial spirit and an entrepreneurial spirit and an independence that that I do have that independence that that I do have that independence that that I do have that maybe isn't all that normal. Uh when my maybe isn't all that normal. Uh when my maybe isn't all that normal. Uh when my dad had a stroke in when I was in the dad had a stroke in when I was in the dad had a stroke in when I was in the fifth grade, it did make me pretty fifth grade, it did make me pretty fifth grade, it did make me pretty independent. I didn't want my mom to independent. I didn't want my mom to independent. I didn't want my mom to have to worry about me.

have to worry about me. have to worry about me. have your dad? Uh, no. My dad passed have your dad? Uh, no. My dad passed have your dad? Uh, no. My dad passed away. I'm sorry. Um, from the point that away. I'm sorry. Um, from the point that away. I'm sorry. Um, from the point that he had the first stroke, he lived he had the first stroke, he lived he had the first stroke, he lived another 18 years, had a second stroke, another 18 years, had a second stroke, another 18 years, had a second stroke, and then passed away shortly after that and then passed away shortly after that and then passed away shortly after that about uh about 8, nine years ago. Sorry. about uh about 8, nine years ago. Sorry. about uh about 8, nine years ago. Sorry. And but from that point on, I I got And but from that point on, I I got And but from that point on, I I got pretty independent. I wanted my mom to pretty independent. I wanted my mom to pretty independent. I wanted my mom to feel like, hey, don't worry about Ryan. feel like, hey, don't worry about Ryan. feel like, hey, don't worry about Ryan. You can worry about everybody else. You You can worry about everybody else. You You can worry about everybody else. You don't have to worry about dad. You're don't have to worry about dad. You're don't have to worry about dad. You're going to have to worry about my going to have to worry about my going to have to worry about my brothers, but you don't you don't have brothers, but you don't you don't have brothers, but you don't you don't have to worry about me. And so I had very to worry about me. And so I had very to worry about me. And so I had very much a figure it out mentality. I was much a figure it out mentality. I was much a figure it out mentality. I was You grew up fast. I grew Yeah. I mean, You grew up fast. I grew Yeah. I mean, You grew up fast. I grew Yeah. I mean, even going through counseling, they're even going through counseling, they're even going through counseling, they're like, "When did you play?" like, "When did you play?" like, "When did you play?" When when was your When when was your When when was your PlayStation season, I'm like, I didn't PlayStation season, I'm like, I didn't PlayStation season, I'm like, I didn't have it. Like I went from fifth grade to have it. Like I went from fifth grade to have it. Like I went from fifth grade to like hustle, figure out life pretty like hustle, figure out life pretty like hustle, figure out life pretty fast. I remember uh we have another fast. I remember uh we have another fast. I remember uh we have another mutual friend, Jeremy Dart. Rock. Oh, I mutual friend, Jeremy Dart. Rock. Oh, I mutual friend, Jeremy Dart. Rock. Oh, I love Jeremy. Yeah. He was my youth love Jeremy. Yeah. He was my youth love Jeremy. Yeah. He was my youth pastor. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. pastor. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. pastor. Oh, I didn't know that. Yeah. And um and still now I would consider a And um and still now I would consider a And um and still now I would consider a very close friend. Rockford. Rockford, very close friend. Rockford. Rockford, very close friend. Rockford. Rockford, Illinois. There you go. I would skip my Illinois. There you go. I would skip my Illinois. There you go. I would skip my school lunch and go to his office and school lunch and go to his office and school lunch and go to his office and pick his brain.

pick his brain. pick his brain. I just I I just thought, man, he's some I just I I just thought, man, he's some I just I I just thought, man, he's some he's he's doing something with his life. he's he's doing something with his life. he's he's doing something with his life. And I just admired him so much. And I And I just admired him so much. And I And I just admired him so much. And I thought, I could kick rocks with these thought, I could kick rocks with these thought, I could kick rocks with these kids at school or I could go sit with kids at school or I could go sit with kids at school or I could go sit with somebody whose office is literally 20 ft somebody whose office is literally 20 ft somebody whose office is literally 20 ft from our lunchroom and he's going to add from our lunchroom and he's going to add from our lunchroom and he's going to add something to my life. And um I would something to my life. And um I would something to my life. And um I would after he would get done preaching, I after he would get done preaching, I after he would get done preaching, I would go and I say, "Hey, could I have would go and I say, "Hey, could I have would go and I say, "Hey, could I have your notes?" And he would literally hand your notes?" And he would literally hand your notes?" And he would literally hand me his printed notes. By the way, he me his printed notes. By the way, he me his printed notes. By the way, he still uses Times New Roman uh font size still uses Times New Roman uh font size still uses Times New Roman uh font size 12. and and just to throw him out there. 12. and and just to throw him out there. 12. and and just to throw him out there. Um, but he would hand it to me and that Um, but he would hand it to me and that Um, but he would hand it to me and that was how I would I I learned sermon was how I would I I learned sermon was how I would I I learned sermon structure. I was in seventh grade going, structure. I was in seventh grade going, structure. I was in seventh grade going, "Oh, so this is okay. Well, how oh man, "Oh, so this is okay. Well, how oh man, "Oh, so this is okay. Well, how oh man, how did he know that context?" And and how did he know that context?" And and how did he know that context?" And and so I I had a a front row seat to so I I had a a front row seat to so I I had a a front row seat to somebody that was um pretty great and somebody that was um pretty great and somebody that was um pretty great and pretty driven. And so, um, at that pretty driven. And so, um, at that pretty driven. And so, um, at that private school, there were doctors, private school, there were doctors, private school, there were doctors, lawyers, senators, and anytime I had an lawyers, senators, and anytime I had an lawyers, senators, and anytime I had an opportunity, if I was at a birthday opportunity, if I was at a birthday opportunity, if I was at a birthday party, I was in the corner talking to party, I was in the corner talking to party, I was in the corner talking to the the the dad. I wasn't I really skipped childhood dad. I wasn't I really skipped childhood dad. I wasn't I really skipped childhood a little bit. Like now in my older age, a little bit. Like now in my older age, a little bit. Like now in my older age, I'm having to like play with my kids to I'm having to like play with my kids to I'm having to like play with my kids to like catch up to like childhood and just like catch up to like childhood and just like catch up to like childhood and just like be a kid sometimes. But, um, but I like be a kid sometimes. But, um, but I like be a kid sometimes. But, um, but I grew up pretty fast and my parents were grew up pretty fast and my parents were grew up pretty fast and my parents were incredibly generous. Uh my parents did incredibly generous. Uh my parents did incredibly generous. Uh my parents did not make a lot of money at all, but if not make a lot of money at all, but if not make a lot of money at all, but if they had a dollar, I mean, I used to sit they had a dollar, I mean, I used to sit they had a dollar, I mean, I used to sit next to my mom in church and she uh she next to my mom in church and she uh she next to my mom in church and she uh she would say, "Hey, you never let an would say, "Hey, you never let an would say, "Hey, you never let an offering plate go by you without giving offering plate go by you without giving offering plate go by you without giving something." Wow. My mom would put a

something." Wow. My mom would put a something." Wow. My mom would put a quarter in my quarter in my quarter in my hand. And and we we would drop it in the hand. And and we we would drop it in the hand. And and we we would drop it in the bucket. And so that that's what I bucket. And so that that's what I bucket. And so that that's what I learned from my parents. Um, in terms of learned from my parents. Um, in terms of learned from my parents. Um, in terms of just I think having the right heart when just I think having the right heart when just I think having the right heart when it comes to all of this stuff and not it comes to all of this stuff and not it comes to all of this stuff and not knowing what the left hand and the right knowing what the left hand and the right knowing what the left hand and the right hand's doing, you just you just try to hand's doing, you just you just try to hand's doing, you just you just try to have a a spirit of generosity. I have a a spirit of generosity. I have a a spirit of generosity. I definitely got that from my parents, but definitely got that from my parents, but definitely got that from my parents, but I don't think that they had all of the I don't think that they had all of the I don't think that they had all of the resources to know how to do that at a at resources to know how to do that at a at resources to know how to do that at a at a very high level. Um, it wasn't it a very high level. Um, it wasn't it a very high level. Um, it wasn't it wasn't until I got around people like wasn't until I got around people like wasn't until I got around people like John Maxwell or a Rick Warren that um I John Maxwell or a Rick Warren that um I John Maxwell or a Rick Warren that um I saw it on a much larger scale. And so, saw it on a much larger scale. And so, saw it on a much larger scale. And so, uh, my perspective, my world view, uh, uh, my perspective, my world view, uh, uh, my perspective, my world view, uh, continued to get bigger and bigger in continued to get bigger and bigger in continued to get bigger and bigger in terms of, wait, how can we make an even terms of, wait, how can we make an even terms of, wait, how can we make an even ma bigger impact, um, when it comes to ma bigger impact, um, when it comes to ma bigger impact, um, when it comes to generosity and and just how we show up generosity and and just how we show up generosity and and just how we show up in the world. in the world. in the world. Um, boy, lots of different directions Um, boy, lots of different directions Um, boy, lots of different directions we go in here. One of the things I mean we go in here. One of the things I mean we go in here. One of the things I mean not to make this all about who we know not to make this all about who we know not to make this all about who we know but uh when you were talking about your but uh when you were talking about your but uh when you were talking about your level of preparation and maniacal level of preparation and maniacal level of preparation and maniacal preparation when you were younger and to preparation when you were younger and to preparation when you were younger and to this day it reminds me so much of John this day it reminds me so much of John this day it reminds me so much of John Akuff. You know Akuff. You know Akuff. You know John's the same way. John like he may John's the same way. John like he may John's the same way. John like he may have done a keynote on a book he wrote have done a keynote on a book he wrote have done a keynote on a book he wrote three years ago 47 times. He's still on three years ago 47 times. He's still on three years ago 47 times. He's still on client calls. He's prepping. Of course.

client calls. He's prepping. Of course. client calls. He's prepping. Of course. A well, you say of course, but a lot of A well, you say of course, but a lot of A well, you say of course, but a lot of people I mean, you knew that. Not people I mean, you knew that. Not people I mean, you knew that. Not everybody does that when you've arrived. everybody does that when you've arrived. everybody does that when you've arrived. When you've arrived and you know, my When you've arrived and you know, my When you've arrived and you know, my guess is you're turning down a lot of guess is you're turning down a lot of guess is you're turning down a lot of people. There's more demand than there people. There's more demand than there people. There's more demand than there is supply, Ryan. Sure. And so when is supply, Ryan. Sure. And so when is supply, Ryan. Sure. And so when that's that's that's happening, your prep, you're on client happening, your prep, you're on client happening, your prep, you're on client calls for every single call you have. calls for every single call you have. calls for every single call you have. Why have you and how have you kept that Why have you and how have you kept that Why have you and how have you kept that same level of maniacal prep even though same level of maniacal prep even though same level of maniacal prep even though you're quote now successful and arguably you're quote now successful and arguably you're quote now successful and arguably one of the most soughtafter speakers in one of the most soughtafter speakers in one of the most soughtafter speakers in the leadership space these days? the leadership space these days? the leadership space these days? Yeah, I think that's a great question. I Yeah, I think that's a great question. I Yeah, I think that's a great question. I think the reality is I I don't think you think the reality is I I don't think you think the reality is I I don't think you can arrive. That's my personal belief can arrive. That's my personal belief can arrive. That's my personal belief because the landscape of business and because the landscape of business and because the landscape of business and leadership is constantly changing. Yeah. leadership is constantly changing. Yeah. leadership is constantly changing. Yeah. And if you lose your finger on the pulse And if you lose your finger on the pulse And if you lose your finger on the pulse of what's happening in an organization, of what's happening in an organization, of what's happening in an organization, uh you will not be an effective uh you will not be an effective uh you will not be an effective communicator. And so while I have a communicator. And so while I have a communicator. And so while I have a series of questions that I ask every series of questions that I ask every series of questions that I ask every client, their answers really determine client, their answers really determine client, their answers really determine how I communicate. For example, I was how I communicate. For example, I was how I communicate. For example, I was speaking for a health care system and I speaking for a health care system and I speaking for a health care system and I said, "Hey, what's the what's the common said, "Hey, what's the what's the common said, "Hey, what's the what's the common lingo that you guys use?" Well, why is lingo that you guys use?" Well, why is lingo that you guys use?" Well, why is that important? Well, here's what they that important? Well, here's what they that important? Well, here's what they said. They said, "Oh, we're really glad said. They said, "Oh, we're really glad said. They said, "Oh, we're really glad you asked. We had a a shift in you asked. We had a a shift in you asked. We had a a shift in leadership and so we actually don't call leadership and so we actually don't call leadership and so we actually don't call the people in our hospitals patients the people in our hospitals patients the people in our hospitals patients anymore. We call them customers. The anymore. We call them customers. The anymore. We call them customers. The reason is is because when we said reason is is because when we said reason is is because when we said patients, it made our doctors and nurses

patients, it made our doctors and nurses patients, it made our doctors and nurses the center of our business. But once we the center of our business. But once we the center of our business. But once we started calling the people in our started calling the people in our started calling the people in our hospitals customers, it made them the hospitals customers, it made them the hospitals customers, it made them the center of our business. So now we start center of our business. So now we start center of our business. So now we start using words like hospitality and using words like hospitality and using words like hospitality and customer service. So when you talk to customer service. So when you talk to customer service. So when you talk to our staff, make sure you don't use the our staff, make sure you don't use the our staff, make sure you don't use the word patient. Well, you never have known word patient. Well, you never have known word patient. Well, you never have known that. Holy. And that's what I tell that. Holy. And that's what I tell that. Holy. And that's what I tell speaker all the time. I'm like, you speaker all the time. I'm like, you speaker all the time. I'm like, you don't do pre-event call? Like you would don't do pre-event call? Like you would don't do pre-event call? Like you would you won't know this information if you you won't know this information if you you won't know this information if you don't. So that's why I do it every time don't. So that's why I do it every time don't. So that's why I do it every time because the other interesting thing is because the other interesting thing is because the other interesting thing is every industry, every company has every industry, every company has every industry, every company has acronyms that they use that no one else acronyms that they use that no one else acronyms that they use that no one else in the world uses. No one knows what in the world uses. No one knows what in the world uses. No one knows what you're talking about. They've got you're talking about. They've got you're talking about. They've got insider language. The pre-event calls insider language. The pre-event calls insider language. The pre-event calls allows you to get in on the inside. And allows you to get in on the inside. And allows you to get in on the inside. And so I remember the first time I was so I remember the first time I was so I remember the first time I was speaking for Chick-fil-A and they say, speaking for Chick-fil-A and they say, speaking for Chick-fil-A and they say, "Hey, you know, we are a QSR." I said, "Hey, you know, we are a QSR." I said, "Hey, you know, we are a QSR." I said, "What's a QSR?" And they all started "What's a QSR?" And they all started "What's a QSR?" And they all started laughing and I said, "What's so funny?" laughing and I said, "What's so funny?" laughing and I said, "What's so funny?" They go, "Why in the world would you They go, "Why in the world would you They go, "Why in the world would you know that? We just say QSR all the time. know that? We just say QSR all the time. know that? We just say QSR all the time. They are a quick serve restaurant, which They are a quick serve restaurant, which They are a quick serve restaurant, which is what differentiates. Don't call them is what differentiates. Don't call them is what differentiates. Don't call them fast food." That's right. From McDonald. fast food." That's right. From McDonald. fast food." That's right. From McDonald. You know, it's like I would have I would You know, it's like I would have I would You know, it's like I would have I would have never known that. I have a tab on have never known that. I have a tab on have never known that. I have a tab on my notes of just acronyms I've learned my notes of just acronyms I've learned my notes of just acronyms I've learned over the last three years. and what I've over the last three years. and what I've over the last three years. and what I've gotten is way smarter because I actually gotten is way smarter because I actually gotten is way smarter because I actually know what they're talking about.

know what they're talking about. know what they're talking about. So, so I think that's why it's it's So, so I think that's why it's it's So, so I think that's why it's it's important to to keep your finger on the important to to keep your finger on the important to to keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening with them. I pulse of what's happening with them. I pulse of what's happening with them. I have another client right now who have another client right now who have another client right now who um I'm understanding how tariffs impact um I'm understanding how tariffs impact um I'm understanding how tariffs impact his business and his leadership. If I do his business and his leadership. If I do his business and his leadership. If I do a pre-event call, how would I know that? a pre-event call, how would I know that? a pre-event call, how would I know that? I would just go, "Oh, they're talking I would just go, "Oh, they're talking I would just go, "Oh, they're talking about tariffs in the news. I don't know about tariffs in the news. I don't know about tariffs in the news. I don't know what that means." No, I know what that what that means." No, I know what that what that means." No, I know what that means and so I understand some of the means and so I understand some of the means and so I understand some of the leadership challenges that they're leadership challenges that they're leadership challenges that they're having. Doesn't mean I'm an expert on having. Doesn't mean I'm an expert on having. Doesn't mean I'm an expert on tariffs or politics, but it does mean I tariffs or politics, but it does mean I tariffs or politics, but it does mean I have an understanding of what they're up have an understanding of what they're up have an understanding of what they're up against in Q1, in Q2, and I can speak against in Q1, in Q2, and I can speak against in Q1, in Q2, and I can speak with a level of confidence on a stage to with a level of confidence on a stage to with a level of confidence on a stage to be able to address challenges that be able to address challenges that be able to address challenges that they're going to have to face and lead they're going to have to face and lead they're going to have to face and lead through. I'm always asking the question, through. I'm always asking the question, through. I'm always asking the question, what's the biggest challenge your what's the biggest challenge your what's the biggest challenge your audience has? And the answers continue audience has? And the answers continue audience has? And the answers continue to vary. So, I'm able to shape messaging to vary. So, I'm able to shape messaging to vary. So, I'm able to shape messaging around what's going on with them. Uh around what's going on with them. Uh around what's going on with them. Uh earlier today, uh they have uh the earlier today, uh they have uh the earlier today, uh they have uh the president always has his favorite Wayne president always has his favorite Wayne president always has his favorite Wayne Gretzky Gretzky Gretzky quote. I'm putting it in the keynote.

quote. I'm putting it in the keynote. quote. I'm putting it in the keynote. Mhm. And everyone's going to laugh. And Mhm. And everyone's going to laugh. And Mhm. And everyone's going to laugh. And and the inside joke is he says that he and the inside joke is he says that he and the inside joke is he says that he came up with it and everybody knows that came up with it and everybody knows that came up with it and everybody knows that it's Wayne Gretzky. So, it's going to it's Wayne Gretzky. So, it's going to it's Wayne Gretzky. So, it's going to say President Mark/May Wayne Gretzky. say President Mark/May Wayne Gretzky. say President Mark/May Wayne Gretzky. And everyone's going to laugh. And it's And everyone's going to laugh. And it's And everyone's going to laugh. And it's like, and what's going to happen in that like, and what's going to happen in that like, and what's going to happen in that moment, everyone in that room, those a moment, everyone in that room, those a moment, everyone in that room, those a thousand people are going to go, we like thousand people are going to go, we like thousand people are going to go, we like this guy. M Yeah. And you know what? this guy. M Yeah. And you know what? this guy. M Yeah. And you know what? It's very easy to come in with your It's very easy to come in with your It's very easy to come in with your slide deck that you gave 28 times before slide deck that you gave 28 times before slide deck that you gave 28 times before and not customize it. Yeah. I I I try to and not customize it. Yeah. I I I try to and not customize it. Yeah. I I I try to customize it as as as much as I possibly customize it as as as much as I possibly customize it as as as much as I possibly can. can. can. That's I just think it's just and to me That's I just think it's just and to me That's I just think it's just and to me that's the difference between a good that's the difference between a good that's the difference between a good communicator and an effective communicator and an effective communicator and an effective communicator. I don't think I'm great. I communicator. I don't think I'm great. I communicator. I don't think I'm great. I think I'm effective because I'm think I'm effective because I'm think I'm effective because I'm listening on these calls. I'm taking listening on these calls. I'm taking listening on these calls. I'm taking copious notes and then we are doing our copious notes and then we are doing our copious notes and then we are doing our best to customize it in a way that adds best to customize it in a way that adds best to customize it in a way that adds value to that room. Um it's not about value to that room. Um it's not about value to that room. Um it's not about me. It's not about my latest book. It's me. It's not about my latest book. It's me. It's not about my latest book. It's it's about what I can give to the room.

it's about what I can give to the room. it's about what I can give to the room. And I think when you do that, I I think And I think when you do that, I I think And I think when you do that, I I think it's you're going to get invited back it's you're going to get invited back it's you're going to get invited back there. There's going to be uh a there. There's going to be uh a there. There's going to be uh a likability factor, I think, and an likability factor, I think, and an likability factor, I think, and an appreciation to say, "Okay, this was the appreciation to say, "Okay, this was the appreciation to say, "Okay, this was the theme of the event, and he weaved it theme of the event, and he weaved it theme of the event, and he weaved it into his entire talk." He still said into his entire talk." He still said into his entire talk." He still said everything he normally would say, but he everything he normally would say, but he everything he normally would say, but he said it in a way that was in line with said it in a way that was in line with said it in a way that was in line with all of the things that we've been trying all of the things that we've been trying all of the things that we've been trying to communicate as a company. It's the to communicate as a company. It's the to communicate as a company. It's the same thing in church. You know, when I same thing in church. You know, when I same thing in church. You know, when I speak in church, I listen to the speak in church, I listen to the speak in church, I listen to the previous three previous three previous three weekends and I try to quote at least one weekends and I try to quote at least one weekends and I try to quote at least one thing from each week in that thing from each week in that thing from each week in that series to say, "Hey, I'm not just here series to say, "Hey, I'm not just here series to say, "Hey, I'm not just here just to just do my talk. It's going, just to just do my talk. It's going, just to just do my talk. It's going, hey, we we we've been in a series. We've hey, we we we've been in a series. We've hey, we we we've been in a series. We've been in a collection of talks and here been in a collection of talks and here been in a collection of talks and here are the things that we've been talking are the things that we've been talking are the things that we've been talking about, and oh, by the way, from week about, and oh, by the way, from week about, and oh, by the way, from week two, let me tell you what was impactful two, let me tell you what was impactful two, let me tell you what was impactful to me. I haven't even gotten into my to me. I haven't even gotten into my to me. I haven't even gotten into my sermon and the pastor's going, "I'd have sermon and the pastor's going, "I'd have sermon and the pastor's going, "I'd have this guy back this guy back this guy back anytime. I haven't unpacked a verse. I anytime. I haven't unpacked a verse. I anytime. I haven't unpacked a verse. I hadn't even introduced." It's like, "No, hadn't even introduced." It's like, "No, hadn't even introduced." It's like, "No, you're you're doing homework." I can't you're you're doing homework." I can't you're you're doing homework." I can't tell you how many times I preach at a tell you how many times I preach at a tell you how many times I preach at a church and the small groups pastor has church and the small groups pastor has church and the small groups pastor has emailed me and emailed me and emailed me and said, "Nobody ever nobody ever tells said, "Nobody ever nobody ever tells said, "Nobody ever nobody ever tells people to go to our website." Wow. Like people to go to our website." Wow. Like people to go to our website." Wow. Like you you highlighted us. I have I've had you you highlighted us. I have I've had you you highlighted us. I have I've had marriage ministries reach out to me and marriage ministries reach out to me and marriage ministries reach out to me and I go, "Hey, did you guys There's one I go, "Hey, did you guys There's one I go, "Hey, did you guys There's one church I speak at. They have uh they church I speak at. They have uh they church I speak at. They have uh they they have a counseling center where they have a counseling center where they have a counseling center where independent counseling contractors can independent counseling contractors can independent counseling contractors can office out of there and they offer office out of there and they offer office out of there and they offer counseling to the entire church of

counseling to the entire church of counseling to the entire church of 15,000 for free. I said that's the most 15,000 for free. I said that's the most 15,000 for free. I said that's the most amazing thing I've ever heard. So I amazing thing I've ever heard. So I amazing thing I've ever heard. So I talked about it when I preached. They talked about it when I preached. They talked about it when I preached. They were like nobody ever talks about us. I were like nobody ever talks about us. I were like nobody ever talks about us. I was like why not? It's just amazing. was like why not? It's just amazing. was like why not? It's just amazing. They're like you you high like it's like They're like you you high like it's like They're like you you high like it's like you studied our website. It's like you you studied our website. It's like you you studied our website. It's like you you did your homework. Again, it's we you did your homework. Again, it's we you did your homework. Again, it's we keep using the word maniacal, but it's keep using the word maniacal, but it's keep using the word maniacal, but it's like, man, I think it's the it's the like, man, I think it's the it's the like, man, I think it's the it's the it's the way it's it's the effective way it's the way it's it's the effective way it's the way it's it's the effective way of connecting with your audience and of connecting with your audience and of connecting with your audience and what's happening there. And it feels what's happening there. And it feels what's happening there. And it feels seamless. You don't want to be a seamless. You don't want to be a seamless. You don't want to be a disruption. You don't want it to be disruption. You don't want it to be disruption. You don't want it to be like, "Oh, Ryan was here. Okay, now like, "Oh, Ryan was here. Okay, now like, "Oh, Ryan was here. Okay, now we're going to go back to our regularly we're going to go back to our regularly we're going to go back to our regularly scheduled programming." It's just like, scheduled programming." It's just like, scheduled programming." It's just like, "No, he was a part of our "No, he was a part of our "No, he was a part of our regular scheduled programming." And it regular scheduled programming." And it regular scheduled programming." And it and it it fit nicely and and we can and it it fit nicely and and we can and it it fit nicely and and we can actually pick up on this next week. So, actually pick up on this next week. So, actually pick up on this next week. So, I'll say, "Hey, who what's happening I'll say, "Hey, who what's happening I'll say, "Hey, who what's happening next week?" I'll say, "Oh, we're next week?" I'll say, "Oh, we're next week?" I'll say, "Oh, we're starting a brand new series." I'll say, starting a brand new series." I'll say, starting a brand new series." I'll say, "Amen. Hey, join us next week as we kick "Amen. Hey, join us next week as we kick "Amen. Hey, join us next week as we kick off our our next series on Romans. Have off our our next series on Romans. Have off our our next series on Romans. Have a great a great a great weekend." So, all of these little weekend." So, all of these little weekend." So, all of these little things, it's it's it's the prep of Yes.

things, it's it's it's the prep of Yes. things, it's it's it's the prep of Yes. If it's a sermon, you know, obvious If it's a sermon, you know, obvious If it's a sermon, you know, obvious you're praying and trying to hear from you're praying and trying to hear from you're praying and trying to hear from God and and be able to put something God and and be able to put something God and and be able to put something together that you think is going to help together that you think is going to help together that you think is going to help someone grow closer to the Lord. it. But someone grow closer to the Lord. it. But someone grow closer to the Lord. it. But I I I I I I think really diving into doing your think really diving into doing your think really diving into doing your research on who they are, the people research on who they are, the people research on who they are, the people that go to their church, um I think is that go to their church, um I think is that go to their church, um I think is what is um what can really help you be what is um what can really help you be what is um what can really help you be an effective communicator. I was going an effective communicator. I was going an effective communicator. I was going to say nuance this as you want, but I to say nuance this as you want, but I to say nuance this as you want, but I think what I'm hearing you say, it's one think what I'm hearing you say, it's one think what I'm hearing you say, it's one thing, and we've all been around thing, and we've all been around thing, and we've all been around speakers like this, and maybe I've been speakers like this, and maybe I've been speakers like this, and maybe I've been that speaker sometimes. It's easy to go, that speaker sometimes. It's easy to go, that speaker sometimes. It's easy to go, here I am. Here I am. Or what I hear you here I am. Here I am. Or what I hear you here I am. Here I am. Or what I hear you saying is there you are. I see you. I saying is there you are. I see you. I saying is there you are. I see you. I see you. Absolutely. Another way is, you see you. Absolutely. Another way is, you see you. Absolutely. Another way is, you know, I'm the hero. Here I am on stage. know, I'm the hero. Here I am on stage. know, I'm the hero. Here I am on stage. I'm the guy with the microphone. Or I'm the guy with the microphone. Or I'm the guy with the microphone. Or you're the hero. You're the you're the hero. You're the you're the hero. You're the organization. You're the people I'm here organization. You're the people I'm here organization. You're the people I'm here to serve. Yeah. Is that a big pivot that to serve. Yeah. Is that a big pivot that to serve. Yeah. Is that a big pivot that you see uh that you're trying to you see uh that you're trying to you see uh that you're trying to embrace?

embrace? embrace? I I think so. You know, I I I think that I I think so. You know, I I I think that I I think so. You know, I I I think that the the more the more you can serve the the more the more you can serve the the more the more you can serve people, I think the more you'll always people, I think the more you'll always people, I think the more you'll always be in business. be in business. be in business. The more you you can show up to say, The more you you can show up to say, The more you you can show up to say, "Hey, you know, we talked about this. I "Hey, you know, we talked about this. I "Hey, you know, we talked about this. I got a new book coming out." It's like, got a new book coming out." It's like, got a new book coming out." It's like, "Okay, well, you know, do we do a "Okay, well, you know, do we do a "Okay, well, you know, do we do a podcast on the book or or do we do a podcast on the book or or do we do a podcast on the book or or do we do a podcast on what's going to add the most podcast on what's going to add the most podcast on what's going to add the most value to your listeners?" Well, they've value to your listeners?" Well, they've value to your listeners?" Well, they've already got a master class 35 minutes in already got a master class 35 minutes in already got a master class 35 minutes in that you're not going to get anywhere that you're not going to get anywhere that you're not going to get anywhere else. That's amazing. It's so to me it's else. That's amazing. It's so to me it's else. That's amazing. It's so to me it's just like I'm getting ready to do uh just like I'm getting ready to do uh just like I'm getting ready to do uh John Maxwell's Day to Grow and they John Maxwell's Day to Grow and they John Maxwell's Day to Grow and they said, "Hey, Ryan, you're going to do said, "Hey, Ryan, you're going to do said, "Hey, Ryan, you're going to do your new book, How to Work with your new book, How to Work with your new book, How to Work with Complicated People." I said, "Well, Complicated People." I said, "Well, Complicated People." I said, "Well, what's the goal of of that actual room? what's the goal of of that actual room? what's the goal of of that actual room? What are you trying to get them to do at What are you trying to get them to do at What are you trying to get them to do at Day to Grow?" They said, "Well, we're Day to Grow?" They said, "Well, we're Day to Grow?" They said, "Well, we're actually trying to get people to get actually trying to get people to get actually trying to get people to get certified with the John Maxwell certified with the John Maxwell certified with the John Maxwell certification to to be a coach." I said, certification to to be a coach." I said, certification to to be a coach." I said, "Well, I'm going be honest. I don't "Well, I'm going be honest. I don't "Well, I'm going be honest. I don't think How to Work with Complicated think How to Work with Complicated think How to Work with Complicated People does that as well People does that as well People does that as well as maybe something that I need to write as maybe something that I need to write as maybe something that I need to write brand new.

brand new. brand new. Well, my book is with John Maxwell Well, my book is with John Maxwell Well, my book is with John Maxwell Publishing. We're incentivized to do Publishing. We're incentivized to do Publishing. We're incentivized to do this book. And I said, "Yes, this book. And I said, "Yes, this book. And I said, "Yes, but I think we need to pivot. I don't but I think we need to pivot. I don't but I think we need to pivot. I don't think it serves the room well." It's think it serves the room well." It's think it serves the room well." It's like, "Well, does it serve you well?" I like, "Well, does it serve you well?" I like, "Well, does it serve you well?" I was like, "Dude, my book will be fine, was like, "Dude, my book will be fine, was like, "Dude, my book will be fine, but but will the people be fine?" And so but but will the people be fine?" And so but but will the people be fine?" And so we we wrote a brand new talk just for we we wrote a brand new talk just for we we wrote a brand new talk just for that room and we sent it to the team and that room and we sent it to the team and that room and we sent it to the team and they all went, "Dude, this is really they all went, "Dude, this is really they all went, "Dude, this is really good." What? And that the And the reason good." What? And that the And the reason good." What? And that the And the reason it's really good is because it serves it's really good is because it serves it's really good is because it serves the room well. Not because it's just the room well. Not because it's just the room well. Not because it's just funny, not because it's just it's it's funny, not because it's just it's it's funny, not because it's just it's it's because it serves the room well. Well, because it serves the room well. Well, because it serves the room well. Well, I'm also doing some highcapacity leader I'm also doing some highcapacity leader I'm also doing some highcapacity leader thing that's connected to the John thing that's connected to the John thing that's connected to the John Maxwell thing a couple hours before. and Maxwell thing a couple hours before. and Maxwell thing a couple hours before. and they said, "Hey, you're going to do how they said, "Hey, you're going to do how they said, "Hey, you're going to do how to work with complicated people." And so to work with complicated people." And so to work with complicated people." And so I called my my friend Chad Johnson, who I called my my friend Chad Johnson, who I called my my friend Chad Johnson, who who I think you know as well. I said, who I think you know as well. I said, who I think you know as well. I said, "Hey, do you think the biggest problem "Hey, do you think the biggest problem "Hey, do you think the biggest problem that that room has for highcapacity that that room has for highcapacity that that room has for highcapacity leaders is working with complicated leaders is working with complicated leaders is working with complicated people? I realize it's a problem for a people? I realize it's a problem for a people? I realize it's a problem for a lot of people, but I don't know that lot of people, but I don't know that lot of people, but I don't know that it's a problem for that room." He said, it's a problem for that room." He said, it's a problem for that room." He said, "No, that's probably a good call." And "No, that's probably a good call." And "No, that's probably a good call." And so we pivoted twice. So, we're bringing so we pivoted twice. So, we're bringing so we pivoted twice. So, we're bringing two new talks to to that two new talks to to that two new talks to to that event because we're trying to serve the event because we're trying to serve the event because we're trying to serve the people in the room. If you're trying to people in the room. If you're trying to people in the room. If you're trying to serve yourself, people can feel it. It's serve yourself, people can feel it. It's serve yourself, people can feel it. It's it's a weird pivot. It's like we're it's a weird pivot. It's like we're it's a weird pivot. It's like we're talking about one thing and then next talking about one thing and then next talking about one thing and then next thing you know it's like, oh, and now thing you know it's like, oh, and now thing you know it's like, oh, and now we're just trying to sell a book. It's we're just trying to sell a book. It's we're just trying to sell a book. It's just like, no, we're not trying to sell just like, no, we're not trying to sell just like, no, we're not trying to sell books. We're trying to help people.

books. We're trying to help people. books. We're trying to help people. We're trying to serve people. Um, having We're trying to serve people. Um, having We're trying to serve people. Um, having done Orange for a number of years, they done Orange for a number of years, they done Orange for a number of years, they always send a theme. And I love working always send a theme. And I love working always send a theme. And I love working with leaders to say, "Hey, what can we with leaders to say, "Hey, what can we with leaders to say, "Hey, what can we craft together to serve the room?" Well, craft together to serve the room?" Well, craft together to serve the room?" Well, if it's something that I've written in a if it's something that I've written in a if it's something that I've written in a book recently and it coincides well, book recently and it coincides well, book recently and it coincides well, phenomenal. Bonus points. Yeah. But if phenomenal. Bonus points. Yeah. But if phenomenal. Bonus points. Yeah. But if it doesn't, that doesn't mean that we it doesn't, that doesn't mean that we it doesn't, that doesn't mean that we can't still serve the room well. Here's can't still serve the room well. Here's can't still serve the room well. Here's what I've learned. If you serve the room what I've learned. If you serve the room what I've learned. If you serve the room well, they'll go and buy your book. That well, they'll go and buy your book. That well, they'll go and buy your book. That is my theory. It's like if people if is my theory. It's like if people if is my theory. It's like if people if it's a great interview, and that's why it's a great interview, and that's why it's a great interview, and that's why I'm trying not to turn this into like a I'm trying not to turn this into like a I'm trying not to turn this into like a book cast is if if they're going, "Wow, book cast is if if they're going, "Wow, book cast is if if they're going, "Wow, Ryan's a great dude. I bet he has Ryan's a great dude. I bet he has Ryan's a great dude. I bet he has something to say." What's his book something to say." What's his book something to say." What's his book called? Complicated people or something called? Complicated people or something called? Complicated people or something like that. I'm going to go buy it. As like that. I'm going to go buy it. As like that. I'm going to go buy it. As opposed to, "Well, in chapter one, in opposed to, "Well, in chapter one, in opposed to, "Well, in chapter one, in chapter two, and chapter three." chapter two, and chapter three." chapter two, and chapter three." Absolutely. When um when you have your Absolutely. When um when you have your Absolutely. When um when you have your hundreds of client calls, as you have hundreds of client calls, as you have hundreds of client calls, as you have over the last few years, you mentioned over the last few years, you mentioned over the last few years, you mentioned you asked them, "What's the worst you asked them, "What's the worst you asked them, "What's the worst speaker?" You gave us one clue. What are speaker?" You gave us one clue. What are speaker?" You gave us one clue. What are some of the other recurring themes you some of the other recurring themes you some of the other recurring themes you hear about what makes for a bad hear about what makes for a bad hear about what makes for a bad experience with a experience with a experience with a speaker? Um, anything speaker? Um, anything speaker? Um, anything gimmicky. What does that mean? Yeah.

gimmicky. What does that mean? Yeah. gimmicky. What does that mean? Yeah. When they feel like it's a gimmick. In When they feel like it's a gimmick. In When they feel like it's a gimmick. In other words, where they're trying to uh other words, where they're trying to uh other words, where they're trying to uh solicit a specific response from the solicit a specific response from the solicit a specific response from the crowd. I'm trying to make you cry. And crowd. I'm trying to make you cry. And crowd. I'm trying to make you cry. And so let me bring my child out on the so let me bring my child out on the so let me bring my child out on the stage and tell this very very sad story stage and tell this very very sad story stage and tell this very very sad story and now it's time for me to do this and now it's time for me to do this and now it's time for me to do this thing. You can just feel it are some thing. You can just feel it are some thing. You can just feel it are some things that have been shared um in things that have been shared um in things that have been shared um in appropriate language. They just didn't appropriate language. They just didn't appropriate language. They just didn't read the room. Uh it could be um read the room. Uh it could be um read the room. Uh it could be um anything from a crude joke or anything from a crude joke or anything from a crude joke or uh uh uh just most what I hear is disconnection. just most what I hear is disconnection. just most what I hear is disconnection. not a bad talk. It is a they just did not a bad talk. It is a they just did not a bad talk. It is a they just did their their their talk and then they just left. You know, talk and then they just left. You know, talk and then they just left. You know, there wasn't there wasn't there wasn't a there wasn't a real connection point a there wasn't a real connection point a there wasn't a real connection point that made our people feel like they that made our people feel like they that made our people feel like they could take on the world or be better could take on the world or be better could take on the world or be better humans or be better leaders.

humans or be better leaders. humans or be better leaders. Um, another thing that they wouldn't say Um, another thing that they wouldn't say Um, another thing that they wouldn't say is the worst, but they would say is is a is the worst, but they would say is is a is the worst, but they would say is is a knock on some of their speakers is no knock on some of their speakers is no knock on some of their speakers is no real practical takeaways. real practical takeaways. real practical takeaways. Uh, they feel good in the moment, but if Uh, they feel good in the moment, but if Uh, they feel good in the moment, but if you say, "Hey, what' they talk about?" you say, "Hey, what' they talk about?" you say, "Hey, what' they talk about?" You'd go, "I don't know." Yeah. Yeah. You'd go, "I don't know." Yeah. Yeah. You'd go, "I don't know." Yeah. Yeah. What are you supposed to do with it? What are you supposed to do with it? What are you supposed to do with it? Yeah. So, I think having that lasting Yeah. So, I think having that lasting Yeah. So, I think having that lasting impact is is something that is um is impact is is something that is um is impact is is something that is um is important. important. important. Um, besides that, I mean, I I think it's Um, besides that, I mean, I I think it's Um, besides that, I mean, I I think it's it's mostly around how they how they it's mostly around how they how they it's mostly around how they how they treated people pre-event call. Uh, even treated people pre-event call. Uh, even treated people pre-event call. Uh, even down to I won't name the speaker, but he down to I won't name the speaker, but he down to I won't name the speaker, but he he is one of the most popular speakers he is one of the most popular speakers he is one of the most popular speakers uh in the country. And, uh, a friend I uh in the country. And, uh, a friend I uh in the country. And, uh, a friend I asked that question and I said, um, hey asked that question and I said, um, hey asked that question and I said, um, hey uh, who's the worst speaker you've ever uh, who's the worst speaker you've ever uh, who's the worst speaker you've ever heard? And they said his name. And I was heard? And they said his name. And I was heard? And they said his name. And I was like, well, he's like really good. So, like, well, he's like really good. So, like, well, he's like really good. So, that's that's very surprising. They say, that's that's very surprising. They say, that's that's very surprising. They say, "Yeah, he's very good. His team is "Yeah, he's very good. His team is "Yeah, he's very good. His team is not." His team is not. They take forever not." His team is not. They take forever not." His team is not. They take forever to get back to you. We never got the to get back to you. We never got the to get back to you. We never got the slides. We got He showed up 10 minutes slides. We got He showed up 10 minutes slides. We got He showed up 10 minutes before. Uh like it and then he crushed before. Uh like it and then he crushed before. Uh like it and then he crushed it on the stage, but it was just like it on the stage, but it was just like it on the stage, but it was just like the overall the overall the overall experience wasn't wasn't a great overall experience wasn't wasn't a great overall experience wasn't wasn't a great overall customer service experience even though customer service experience even though customer service experience even though he did a great job. And so it just it he did a great job. And so it just it he did a great job. And so it just it just makes you think it's it's more than just makes you think it's it's more than just makes you think it's it's more than just about what you prepare for the just about what you prepare for the just about what you prepare for the stage. It is that interaction uh being stage. It is that interaction uh being stage. It is that interaction uh being able to able to able to uh whether it's take pictures or or make

uh whether it's take pictures or or make uh whether it's take pictures or or make them feel like man before you ever step them feel like man before you ever step them feel like man before you ever step on the stage he knows us. He's a friend on the stage he knows us. He's a friend on the stage he knows us. He's a friend of ours. He wants to help us. And I of ours. He wants to help us. And I of ours. He wants to help us. And I think that that allows you to step onto think that that allows you to step onto think that that allows you to step onto the stage with a level of confidence of the stage with a level of confidence of the stage with a level of confidence of going, I know who these people are. I going, I know who these people are. I going, I know who these people are. I know what they do. I understand their know what they do. I understand their know what they do. I understand their leadership challenges. And I believe leadership challenges. And I believe leadership challenges. And I believe that I've written some content that I that I've written some content that I that I've written some content that I believe is going to add value to their believe is going to add value to their believe is going to add value to their life. life. life. How do you know or how do you evaluate How do you know or how do you evaluate How do you know or how do you evaluate whether you succeeded in a talk or whether you succeeded in a talk or whether you succeeded in a talk or whether you missed? And I'm sure you've whether you missed? And I'm sure you've whether you missed? And I'm sure you've had some misses. We all do, right? You had some misses. We all do, right? You had some misses. We all do, right? You get enough a couple days ago. No get enough a couple days ago. No get enough a couple days ago. No question about it. What happened? Yeah. question about it. What happened? Yeah. question about it. What happened? Yeah. What happened, dude? I misread the What happened, dude? I misread the What happened, dude? I misread the audience. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I I misread audience. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I I misread audience. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I I misread the audience the audience the audience and our pre-event call was a phone call, and our pre-event call was a phone call, and our pre-event call was a phone call, not a Zoom call. It was a lastm minute not a Zoom call. It was a lastm minute not a Zoom call. It was a lastm minute engagement and I thought I had it dialed engagement and I thought I had it dialed engagement and I thought I had it dialed in, but I didn't. And I I just chose I in, but I didn't. And I I just chose I in, but I didn't. And I I just chose I would say half of the wrong content. Now would say half of the wrong content. Now would say half of the wrong content. Now granted, they would say I had people granted, they would say I had people granted, they would say I had people message me after, "Oh my gosh, best talk message me after, "Oh my gosh, best talk message me after, "Oh my gosh, best talk I've ever heard." But uh I just I felt I've ever heard." But uh I just I felt I've ever heard." But uh I just I felt like I wasn't dialed like I wasn't dialed like I wasn't dialed into their daily challenges like I into their daily challenges like I into their daily challenges like I thought. Um I was. Sometimes I've got thought. Um I was. Sometimes I've got thought. Um I was. Sometimes I've got like a leadership hat on that I'm like a leadership hat on that I'm like a leadership hat on that I'm stepping into and then you get on stage stepping into and then you get on stage stepping into and then you get on stage and you go, "Wait, are are you and you go, "Wait, are are you and you go, "Wait, are are you leaders or are you just salespeople? You leaders or are you just salespeople? You leaders or are you just salespeople? You just sell a bunch of stuff and you're a

just sell a bunch of stuff and you're a just sell a bunch of stuff and you're a high performer. You're a high capacity high performer. You're a high capacity high performer. You're a high capacity person, but you're really a soloreneur. person, but you're really a soloreneur. person, but you're really a soloreneur. You don't actually work with people. You You don't actually work with people. You You don't actually work with people. You don't And so you can have those moments don't And so you can have those moments don't And so you can have those moments live. You're on stage. like actually I live. You're on stage. like actually I live. You're on stage. like actually I got to pivot. But then you're like but got to pivot. But then you're like but got to pivot. But then you're like but slide 13 literally says next level slide 13 literally says next level slide 13 literally says next level leadership requires a next level leadership requires a next level leadership requires a next level calendar and you're like but they're not calendar and you're like but they're not calendar and you're like but they're not a leader. So you're like how am I going a leader. So you're like how am I going a leader. So you're like how am I going to pivot that? So it was one of those to pivot that? So it was one of those to pivot that? So it was one of those where it was like man I I wish I could where it was like man I I wish I could where it was like man I I wish I could have had more time to tweak my deck and have had more time to tweak my deck and have had more time to tweak my deck and ask more questions and I thought I had ask more questions and I thought I had ask more questions and I thought I had it dialed in but I didn't. Uh, luckily I it dialed in but I didn't. Uh, luckily I it dialed in but I didn't. Uh, luckily I spoke to a smaller group of of people spoke to a smaller group of of people spoke to a smaller group of of people and then I'm I'm doing a second event and then I'm I'm doing a second event and then I'm I'm doing a second event for them where there's going to be for them where there's going to be for them where there's going to be thousands. And now that I have it dialed thousands. And now that I have it dialed thousands. And now that I have it dialed in, the talk with the thousands will be in, the talk with the thousands will be in, the talk with the thousands will be a whole lot better just because I have a a whole lot better just because I have a a whole lot better just because I have a better understanding of who they are and better understanding of who they are and better understanding of who they are and and what they do every day. How do you and what they do every day. How do you and what they do every day. How do you know it worked? How do you know it know it worked? How do you know it know it worked? How do you know it connected? What criteria do you use? connected? What criteria do you use? connected? What criteria do you use? I I think effective communication is I I think effective communication is I I think effective communication is audience reading. Mhm. It's audience reading. Mhm. It's audience reading. Mhm. It's understanding uh there's there's lots of understanding uh there's there's lots of understanding uh there's there's lots of cues you can you can pick up on. One is cues you can you can pick up on. One is cues you can you can pick up on. One is people can pick up their phone and take people can pick up their phone and take people can pick up their phone and take a picture of a a picture of a a picture of a slide so you know, oh that resonates slide so you know, oh that resonates slide so you know, oh that resonates with them that that really touched with them that that really touched with them that that really touched either on a painoint or something that either on a painoint or something that either on a painoint or something that they want to they want to they want to remember. Uh sometimes it's them putting remember. Uh sometimes it's them putting remember. Uh sometimes it's them putting their head down and taking a their head down and taking a their head down and taking a note. Sometimes I can see, oh, they note. Sometimes I can see, oh, they note. Sometimes I can see, oh, they haven't put their head down and taken a haven't put their head down and taken a haven't put their head down and taken a note in 10 minutes, which means they're note in 10 minutes, which means they're note in 10 minutes, which means they're not learning. They're in auto. So, it's

not learning. They're in auto. So, it's not learning. They're in auto. So, it's like, oh, I've got to shift. I got to I like, oh, I've got to shift. I got to I like, oh, I've got to shift. I got to I have to make some adjustments now have to make some adjustments now have to make some adjustments now because they're here to learn. They're because they're here to learn. They're because they're here to learn. They're not here just to be entertained. So, not here just to be entertained. So, not here just to be entertained. So, sometimes I can see that a story is sometimes I can see that a story is sometimes I can see that a story is going too going too going too long. And long. And long. And so, in that moment, I have to bring so, in that moment, I have to bring so, in that moment, I have to bring back, okay, what's the point again? Why back, okay, what's the point again? Why back, okay, what's the point again? Why why are we here? What are we talking why are we here? What are we talking why are we here? What are we talking about? about? about? and making sure that they have some of and making sure that they have some of and making sure that they have some of those practical takeaways because those practical takeaways because those practical takeaways because sometimes I'm just having fun and and sometimes I'm just having fun and and sometimes I'm just having fun and and you can just you get lost a little bit, you can just you get lost a little bit, you can just you get lost a little bit, you know, or they're laughing and then you know, or they're laughing and then you know, or they're laughing and then you just keep going. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. you just keep going. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. you just keep going. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're just you're on a roll, you know? You're just you're on a roll, you know? You're just you're on a roll, you know? You're like, "Oh, this is going great." You're like, "Oh, this is going great." You're like, "Oh, this is going great." But then you're like, "Yeah, but they But then you're like, "Yeah, but they But then you're like, "Yeah, but they hadn't learned anything in a while." So hadn't learned anything in a while." So hadn't learned anything in a while." So So you've got to you got to kind of rein So you've got to you got to kind of rein So you've got to you got to kind of rein it in and kind of understand those es it in and kind of understand those es it in and kind of understand those es and flows. So you're you're reading the and flows. So you're you're reading the and flows. So you're you're reading the room. I'm also reading the leadership room. I'm also reading the leadership room. I'm also reading the leadership room. In other words, the people that room. In other words, the people that room. In other words, the people that brought me there, I'm looking at their brought me there, I'm looking at their brought me there, I'm looking at their body language to see if they're because body language to see if they're because body language to see if they're because they're they've actually got a little they're they've actually got a little they're they've actually got a little bit of a better temperature because they bit of a better temperature because they bit of a better temperature because they know their people. So, I can see them know their people. So, I can see them know their people. So, I can see them like looking and and checking in and and like looking and and checking in and and like looking and and checking in and and and so you're you're able to to dial in and so you're you're able to to dial in and so you're you're able to to dial in on that. Um, but on that. Um, but on that. Um, but inevitably, I try not to get too high or inevitably, I try not to get too high or inevitably, I try not to get too high or too low when it comes to to those too low when it comes to to those too low when it comes to to those events. Um, I'm fortunate enough to do events. Um, I'm fortunate enough to do events. Um, I'm fortunate enough to do so many that I did four this past so many that I did four this past so many that I did four this past weekend, I could give a grade for each weekend, I could give a grade for each weekend, I could give a grade for each one, but if I get too high or too low, I one, but if I get too high or too low, I one, but if I get too high or too low, I mean, I' I've got more events this mean, I' I've got more events this mean, I' I've got more events this weekend. Yeah. So, it's uh and then I've

weekend. Yeah. So, it's uh and then I've weekend. Yeah. So, it's uh and then I've got two next week and then I've got six got two next week and then I've got six got two next week and then I've got six the week after that. So, it's like the week after that. So, it's like the week after that. So, it's like you've you're moving along so much that you've you're moving along so much that you've you're moving along so much that you don't want to get too high or too you don't want to get too high or too you don't want to get too high or too low. You want to say, "All right, how low. You want to say, "All right, how low. You want to say, "All right, how how can I get better from each keynote?" how can I get better from each keynote?" how can I get better from each keynote?" Uh, I actually learned that from Uh, I actually learned that from Uh, I actually learned that from Eaglebrook Church. Eaglebrook Church. Eaglebrook Church. Eaglebrook Church. Eaglebrook Church. Eaglebrook Church. What um, we talked about this before we What um, we talked about this before we What um, we talked about this before we got on the recording. They're probably got on the recording. They're probably got on the recording. They're probably one of the largest churches in the world one of the largest churches in the world one of the largest churches in the world that doesn't want to be known as one of that doesn't want to be known as one of that doesn't want to be known as one of the largest churches. They fly under the the largest churches. They fly under the the largest churches. They fly under the radar and they're amazing. Oh my gosh. radar and they're amazing. Oh my gosh. radar and they're amazing. Oh my gosh. They're they're they're remarkable. And They're they're they're remarkable. And They're they're they're remarkable. And I was the teaching pastor there for a I was the teaching pastor there for a I was the teaching pastor there for a number of years. Now I just go back a number of years. Now I just go back a number of years. Now I just go back a couple times a year and my best friends couple times a year and my best friends couple times a year and my best friends live in Minnesota. I went to school in live in Minnesota. I went to school in live in Minnesota. I went to school in Minnesota. So, it's a love getting to go Minnesota. So, it's a love getting to go Minnesota. So, it's a love getting to go back and and be with them. They they do back and and be with them. They they do back and and be with them. They they do something very interesting. You uh you something very interesting. You uh you something very interesting. You uh you write out a manuscript for the weekend. write out a manuscript for the weekend. write out a manuscript for the weekend. It's reviewed by a number of pastors and It's reviewed by a number of pastors and It's reviewed by a number of pastors and they send you feedback on what they they send you feedback on what they they send you feedback on what they believe is good, funny, and hey, I believe is good, funny, and hey, I believe is good, funny, and hey, I actually think this won't work. Hey, I actually think this won't work. Hey, I actually think this won't work. Hey, I actually think this is long. Hey, I actually think this is long. Hey, I actually think this is long. Hey, I actually don't even think you need point actually don't even think you need point actually don't even think you need point number three. You kind of already made number three. You kind of already made number three. You kind of already made it in point number two. And so they're it in point number two. And so they're it in point number two. And so they're giving you perspective long before you giving you perspective long before you giving you perspective long before you ever hit the stage. One time I had a ever hit the stage. One time I had a ever hit the stage. One time I had a there was a a lake that I went to in there was a a lake that I went to in there was a a lake that I went to in college. Apparently it had a an college. Apparently it had a an college. Apparently it had a an offensive Indian name that during co offensive Indian name that during co offensive Indian name that during co there was a protest over changing the there was a protest over changing the there was a protest over changing the name of the lake and it got changed. I name of the lake and it got changed. I name of the lake and it got changed. I didn't know that. So I had that in the didn't know that. So I had that in the didn't know that. So I had that in the sermon. They're like if you say that sermon. They're like if you say that sermon. They're like if you say that we're going to have protesters at our

we're going to have protesters at our we're going to have protesters at our front door. I would know that I live in front door. I would know that I live in front door. I would know that I live in Dallas. So I'm glad I got that feedback Dallas. So I'm glad I got that feedback Dallas. So I'm glad I got that feedback before I got on stage and and ended up before I got on stage and and ended up before I got on stage and and ended up on the news. on the news. on the news. So, so you get that feedback before. So, so you get that feedback before. So, so you get that feedback before. Then after first service, you have a Then after first service, you have a Then after first service, you have a debrief with the worship team, comm's debrief with the worship team, comm's debrief with the worship team, comm's department, campus pastor, senior department, campus pastor, senior department, campus pastor, senior pastor, executives, and you discuss the pastor, executives, and you discuss the pastor, executives, and you discuss the whole service, including the message. whole service, including the message. whole service, including the message. And it's mostly, hey, here's what I And it's mostly, hey, here's what I And it's mostly, hey, here's what I think was really good. Here's what I think was really good. Here's what I think was really good. Here's what I think actually should should go on think actually should should go on think actually should should go on plasma or go on the screen. You said it plasma or go on the screen. You said it plasma or go on the screen. You said it out loud, but it wasn't on the screen. out loud, but it wasn't on the screen. out loud, but it wasn't on the screen. Dude, I think that's a takeaway. Hey, Dude, I think that's a takeaway. Hey, Dude, I think that's a takeaway. Hey, here's some things that that I would here's some things that that I would here's some things that that I would adjust. And I'm telling you, the first adjust. And I'm telling you, the first adjust. And I'm telling you, the first time I did it, I thought, "Who are you time I did it, I thought, "Who are you time I did it, I thought, "Who are you guys to tell me?" There is a bit of guys to tell me?" There is a bit of guys to tell me?" There is a bit of humility involved there. Yeah. But man, humility involved there. Yeah. But man, humility involved there. Yeah. But man, once I sat in it, cuz they told me it once I sat in it, cuz they told me it once I sat in it, cuz they told me it was coming. They're like, "Hey, we have was coming. They're like, "Hey, we have was coming. They're like, "Hey, we have a feedback culture." I'm like, "Well, I a feedback culture." I'm like, "Well, I a feedback culture." I'm like, "Well, I don't know if I like your feedback don't know if I like your feedback don't know if I like your feedback culture." I now I get mad when I don't culture." I now I get mad when I don't culture." I now I get mad when I don't get it. I'll send my sermon to other get it. I'll send my sermon to other get it. I'll send my sermon to other pastors and they're like, "Why are you pastors and they're like, "Why are you pastors and they're like, "Why are you sending me your sermon?" So, you can sending me your sermon?" So, you can sending me your sermon?" So, you can read it and tell me what you think. read it and tell me what you think. read it and tell me what you think. They're like, "I mean, it's good." I'm They're like, "I mean, it's good." I'm They're like, "I mean, it's good." I'm like, "Oh, okay." So Eagle Brook spoiled like, "Oh, okay." So Eagle Brook spoiled like, "Oh, okay." So Eagle Brook spoiled me a little bit because they they gave me a little bit because they they gave me a little bit because they they gave me so much feedback that it it was just me so much feedback that it it was just me so much feedback that it it was just so helpful and it helped me even refine so helpful and it helped me even refine so helpful and it helped me even refine my communication even more. So now with my communication even more. So now with my communication even more. So now with my corporate clients, I send them my my corporate clients, I send them my my corporate clients, I send them my full deck a month in advance with full deck a month in advance with full deck a month in advance with presenter notes. You can there's no presenter notes. You can there's no presenter notes. You can there's no surprises. I want you to see where I'm surprises. I want you to see where I'm surprises. I want you to see where I'm going with this. And I can't tell you going with this. And I can't tell you going with this. And I can't tell you how many emails I've gotten. Hey, just how many emails I've gotten. Hey, just how many emails I've gotten. Hey, just got your deck. I so appreciate your got your deck. I so appreciate your got your deck. I so appreciate your notes, man. that you really were paying notes, man. that you really were paying notes, man. that you really were paying attention on our call. Yeah, I was call

attention on our call. Yeah, I was call attention on our call. Yeah, I was call call is crazy. And so, and then they're call is crazy. And so, and then they're call is crazy. And so, and then they're able to say, "Hey, able to say, "Hey, able to say, "Hey, uh, we don't actually do this anymore. uh, we don't actually do this anymore. uh, we don't actually do this anymore. We know you looked this up on our We know you looked this up on our We know you looked this up on our website, but we actually changed our website, but we actually changed our website, but we actually changed our website in the time between our website in the time between our website in the time between our pre-event call and the time you sent our pre-event call and the time you sent our pre-event call and the time you sent our debt." So, we're actually changing that debt." So, we're actually changing that debt." So, we're actually changing that value system, so you don't actually have value system, so you don't actually have value system, so you don't actually have to hit on that point. Hey, hey, thank to hit on that point. Hey, hey, thank to hit on that point. Hey, hey, thank you so much. you so much. you so much. you wouldn't know if you weren't in you wouldn't know if you weren't in you wouldn't know if you weren't in relationship and in connection with relationship and in connection with relationship and in connection with them. And so, so anyway, so I I think them. And so, so anyway, so I I think them. And so, so anyway, so I I think that that's that's what's really that that's that's what's really that that's that's what's really important for me whenever I'm, you know, important for me whenever I'm, you know, important for me whenever I'm, you know, trying to dial in with the client trying to dial in with the client trying to dial in with the client beforehand. So, Ryan, reps help a lot. beforehand. So, Ryan, reps help a lot. beforehand. So, Ryan, reps help a lot. What else are you doing What else are you doing What else are you doing intentionally to grow your leadership? intentionally to grow your leadership? intentionally to grow your leadership? Because there's using your gift and Because there's using your gift and Because there's using your gift and you're clearly a gifted communicator. you're clearly a gifted communicator. you're clearly a gifted communicator. You prep like crazy, maniacal prep, but You prep like crazy, maniacal prep, but You prep like crazy, maniacal prep, but what are you doing to to like become a what are you doing to to like become a what are you doing to to like become a master at what you do? Who you learning master at what you do? Who you learning master at what you do? Who you learning from? How are you learning? What are from? How are you learning? What are from? How are you learning? What are some of the rhythms, habits, disciplines some of the rhythms, habits, disciplines some of the rhythms, habits, disciplines where you're like, I'm going to elevate where you're like, I'm going to elevate where you're like, I'm going to elevate my game. I'm going to pull more out of my game. I'm going to pull more out of my game. I'm going to pull more out of me or learn a foreign skill set so I can me or learn a foreign skill set so I can me or learn a foreign skill set so I can get better at this. I'm I'm curious get better at this. I'm I'm curious get better at this. I'm I'm curious because you take your craft really because you take your craft really because you take your craft really seriously. Yeah. So there there's quite seriously. Yeah. So there there's quite seriously. Yeah. So there there's quite a few uh social media influencers that a few uh social media influencers that a few uh social media influencers that um I follow and watch and just see how um I follow and watch and just see how um I follow and watch and just see how they essentially connect. Feel free to they essentially connect. Feel free to they essentially connect. Feel free to draw some names and give us some case draw some names and give us some case draw some names and give us some case studies. Yeah. I mean Gary Vee is one of studies. Yeah. I mean Gary Vee is one of studies. Yeah. I mean Gary Vee is one of them. You know, he he cusses a lot, but them. You know, he he cusses a lot, but them. You know, he he cusses a lot, but he's very effective in how he connects.

he's very effective in how he connects. he's very effective in how he connects. What do you appreciate about Gary Vee? What do you appreciate about Gary Vee? What do you appreciate about Gary Vee? Honesty. He cuts through the fluff Honesty. He cuts through the fluff Honesty. He cuts through the fluff really, really fast. Uh he understands really, really fast. Uh he understands really, really fast. Uh he understands his audience. He is a consistent learner his audience. He is a consistent learner his audience. He is a consistent learner and just always interacting with them, and just always interacting with them, and just always interacting with them, always like Q&A on the street, raw, un always like Q&A on the street, raw, un always like Q&A on the street, raw, un unedited, unedited, unedited, always. Yeah. You know, so there there always. Yeah. You know, so there there always. Yeah. You know, so there there there's a lot to learn there. there's a lot to learn there. there's a lot to learn there. I I think that there's some value in I I think that there's some value in I I think that there's some value in again, I'm maniacal about social media. again, I'm maniacal about social media. again, I'm maniacal about social media. I'm anniacal about 60 minutes. I'm I'm anniacal about 60 minutes. I'm I'm anniacal about 60 minutes. I'm anniacal about 60 seconds. I I think it anniacal about 60 seconds. I I think it anniacal about 60 seconds. I I think it all matters because you have the all matters because you have the all matters because you have the opportunity to go on somebody's opportunity to go on somebody's opportunity to go on somebody's phone that has never met you before in phone that has never met you before in phone that has never met you before in their their their life. It's it's an amazing time to be life. It's it's an amazing time to be life. It's it's an amazing time to be alive. So, there's lots of people that alive. So, there's lots of people that alive. So, there's lots of people that are like, "Man, I'm trying to get on the are like, "Man, I'm trying to get on the are like, "Man, I'm trying to get on the stage." I'm like, "Try to get on the stage." I'm like, "Try to get on the stage." I'm like, "Try to get on the screen. It's easier. Way easier." screen. It's easier. Way easier." screen. It's easier. Way easier." And so I I think being able to see who And so I I think being able to see who And so I I think being able to see who who's been effective who's been effective who's been effective uh with their social media presence. I uh with their social media presence. I uh with their social media presence. I think Life Church Memphis is another think Life Church Memphis is another think Life Church Memphis is another great example of how they just leverage great example of how they just leverage great example of how they just leverage their social media for their overall their social media for their overall their social media for their overall audience. Um Alex Ramoszi is a guy that audience. Um Alex Ramoszi is a guy that audience. Um Alex Ramoszi is a guy that I've I've watched for for a number of I've I've watched for for a number of I've I've watched for for a number of years. Uh, I I think it's John Maxwell's years. Uh, I I think it's John Maxwell's years. Uh, I I think it's John Maxwell's team that's doing it, but I think how team that's doing it, but I think how team that's doing it, but I think how they leverage his content is is is is they leverage his content is is is is they leverage his content is is is is done really really well. Um, I'm trying done really really well. Um, I'm trying done really really well. Um, I'm trying to think of of a few others. Mel Robbins

to think of of a few others. Mel Robbins to think of of a few others. Mel Robbins is another one. She is number one is another one. She is number one is another one. She is number one podcast in the world this year. Yeah. podcast in the world this year. Yeah. podcast in the world this year. Yeah. Oh, yeah. You know, so hers is obviously Oh, yeah. You know, so hers is obviously Oh, yeah. You know, so hers is obviously podcast heavy for that reason. But even podcast heavy for that reason. But even podcast heavy for that reason. But even before that, I was amazed by before that, I was amazed by before that, I was amazed by how, you know, one day she just she how, you know, one day she just she how, you know, one day she just she said, "Hey, I I had a really rough said, "Hey, I I had a really rough said, "Hey, I I had a really rough meeting and so I just had to take a meeting and so I just had to take a meeting and so I just had to take a walk." And I thought, "Maybe you're walk." And I thought, "Maybe you're walk." And I thought, "Maybe you're having a rough day, too. So, let's take having a rough day, too. So, let's take having a rough day, too. So, let's take the walk together." Hey, what if we took the walk together." Hey, what if we took the walk together." Hey, what if we took a couple deep breaths together? Let's do a couple deep breaths together? Let's do a couple deep breaths together? Let's do it on three. 1 2 it on three. 1 2 it on three. 1 2 3. I feel better. Do you? That was the 3. I feel better. Do you? That was the 3. I feel better. Do you? That was the whole video. whole video. whole video. And I just thought, man, I there there's And I just thought, man, I there there's And I just thought, man, I there there's a level of authenticity there that and a level of authenticity there that and a level of authenticity there that and it wasn't uh a dialed up video. It it wasn't uh a dialed up video. It it wasn't uh a dialed up video. It wasn't like a super nice video, but it wasn't like a super nice video, but it wasn't like a super nice video, but it was an honest video. So, it's people was an honest video. So, it's people was an honest video. So, it's people like that that I I love to glean from like that that I I love to glean from like that that I I love to glean from and to go, man, that was an impactful 60 and to go, man, that was an impactful 60 and to go, man, that was an impactful 60 seconds. Mhm. And I'm still talking seconds. Mhm. And I'm still talking seconds. Mhm. And I'm still talking about it. I think she did it two years about it. I think she did it two years about it. I think she did it two years ago and I've got it dang near memorized. ago and I've got it dang near memorized. ago and I've got it dang near memorized. Like, that's crazy. You know that. So, Like, that's crazy. You know that. So, Like, that's crazy. You know that. So, it had an impact on me and it made me it had an impact on me and it made me it had an impact on me and it made me go, "Oh, man. how could I where could I go, "Oh, man. how could I where could I go, "Oh, man. how could I where could I be a little bit more raw and real in in be a little bit more raw and real in in be a little bit more raw and real in in what I create? So, uh so those those are what I create? So, uh so those those are what I create? So, uh so those those are a couple of people that I I think as you a couple of people that I I think as you a couple of people that I I think as you are refining your skill if you're are refining your skill if you're are refining your skill if you're writing every day whether it's for writing every day whether it's for writing every day whether it's for social media and social media is just social media and social media is just social media and social media is just crazy because you have so many different crazy because you have so many different crazy because you have so many different audiences. I think one of audiences. I think one of audiences. I think one of the missing pieces for especially people the missing pieces for especially people the missing pieces for especially people in the church is LinkedIn. Yeah. Yeah, in the church is LinkedIn. Yeah. Yeah, in the church is LinkedIn. Yeah. Yeah, there's there's so many pastors that there's there's so many pastors that there's there's so many pastors that aren't on LinkedIn and I say, "Hey, do aren't on LinkedIn and I say, "Hey, do aren't on LinkedIn and I say, "Hey, do you want to reach, you know, people in

you want to reach, you know, people in you want to reach, you know, people in the marketplace or in corporate the marketplace or in corporate the marketplace or in corporate America?" They're, "Yeah, I'd love to." America?" They're, "Yeah, I'd love to." America?" They're, "Yeah, I'd love to." I go, "Dude, you you got plenty of great I go, "Dude, you you got plenty of great I go, "Dude, you you got plenty of great content. Why aren't you putting it on content. Why aren't you putting it on content. Why aren't you putting it on LinkedIn?" And there could be a little LinkedIn?" And there could be a little LinkedIn?" And there could be a little bit of an intimidation there. But we've bit of an intimidation there. But we've bit of an intimidation there. But we've we've designated quite quite a bit of we've designated quite quite a bit of we've designated quite quite a bit of our business resources into social our business resources into social our business resources into social media, specifically LinkedIn, to be able media, specifically LinkedIn, to be able media, specifically LinkedIn, to be able to say, "Hey, here's an audience that we to say, "Hey, here's an audience that we to say, "Hey, here's an audience that we really want to impact and and add value really want to impact and and add value really want to impact and and add value to their lives." And so, uh, we've got a to their lives." And so, uh, we've got a to their lives." And so, uh, we've got a clip. The other day I was doing Q&A and clip. The other day I was doing Q&A and clip. The other day I was doing Q&A and it was a healthc care clip. So, it's not it was a healthc care clip. So, it's not it was a healthc care clip. So, it's not a clip that I would put on Instagram for a clip that I would put on Instagram for a clip that I would put on Instagram for everybody, but we're going to leverage everybody, but we're going to leverage everybody, but we're going to leverage it on LinkedIn to say, "Dear health care it on LinkedIn to say, "Dear health care it on LinkedIn to say, "Dear health care professionals, from the bottom of my professionals, from the bottom of my professionals, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for doing a heart, thank you. Thank you for doing a heart, thank you. Thank you for doing a very thankless job, and your job has very thankless job, and your job has very thankless job, and your job has been harder than most people know, and I been harder than most people know, and I been harder than most people know, and I was doing a Q&A the other day, and I was doing a Q&A the other day, and I was doing a Q&A the other day, and I thought of you. Here you go." So, it's thought of you. Here you go." So, it's thought of you. Here you go." So, it's it's it's trying new things every single it's it's trying new things every single it's it's trying new things every single day and just not getting comfortable in day and just not getting comfortable in day and just not getting comfortable in that. And then even just learning how uh that. And then even just learning how uh that. And then even just learning how uh the ad space works and being able to the ad space works and being able to the ad space works and being able to target specific audiences to to be able target specific audiences to to be able target specific audiences to to be able to amplify uh impact is absolutely to amplify uh impact is absolutely to amplify uh impact is absolutely insane with what you can do in that. And insane with what you can do in that. And insane with what you can do in that. And so it's just another avenue of of our so it's just another avenue of of our so it's just another avenue of of our business of saying man we can actually business of saying man we can actually business of saying man we can actually reach a lot of people and touch a lot of reach a lot of people and touch a lot of reach a lot of people and touch a lot of lives in some some unique ways. So, one lives in some some unique ways. So, one lives in some some unique ways. So, one of the things you've again, you know, a of the things you've again, you know, a of the things you've again, you know, a decade is a long time and it's kind of decade is a long time and it's kind of decade is a long time and it's kind of overnight, but you dedicated I think you

overnight, but you dedicated I think you overnight, but you dedicated I think you just going to look at my notes. Yeah. just going to look at my notes. Yeah. just going to look at my notes. Yeah. Yeah. You uh dedicated your latest book Yeah. You uh dedicated your latest book Yeah. You uh dedicated your latest book to John Maxwell whose name has come up a to John Maxwell whose name has come up a to John Maxwell whose name has come up a little bit. You don't go from the little bit. You don't go from the little bit. You don't go from the three-minute offering window to John three-minute offering window to John three-minute offering window to John Maxwell in 10 minutes. But, you know, Maxwell in 10 minutes. But, you know, Maxwell in 10 minutes. But, you know, going back to where we started, you going back to where we started, you going back to where we started, you know, Sam Collier introduces you to know, Sam Collier introduces you to know, Sam Collier introduces you to Reggie, Reggie introduces you to Andy. Reggie, Reggie introduces you to Andy. Reggie, Reggie introduces you to Andy. Um, and and that's a pretty meteoric Um, and and that's a pretty meteoric Um, and and that's a pretty meteoric rise early on, but you're around some of rise early on, but you're around some of rise early on, but you're around some of the top people in business today. Talk the top people in business today. Talk the top people in business today. Talk to leaders like I'd love to know in your to leaders like I'd love to know in your to leaders like I'd love to know in your context context context um how that worked and then what are um how that worked and then what are um how that worked and then what are some dos and don'ts in terms of some dos and don'ts in terms of some dos and don'ts in terms of connecting with other leaders? Uh connecting with other leaders? Uh connecting with other leaders? Uh because we've all been in green rooms because we've all been in green rooms because we've all been in green rooms where we've seen overeager people. It's where we've seen overeager people. It's where we've seen overeager people. It's like, "Oh, there's John Maxwell in the like, "Oh, there's John Maxwell in the like, "Oh, there's John Maxwell in the corner. I gotta get over to him and blah corner. I gotta get over to him and blah corner. I gotta get over to him and blah blah blah." And you tell him your life blah blah." And you tell him your life blah blah." And you tell him your life story for 25 minutes. Uh probably not a story for 25 minutes. Uh probably not a story for 25 minutes. Uh probably not a best practice. And then and then other best practice. And then and then other best practice. And then and then other people just sit in the corner waiting people just sit in the corner waiting people just sit in the corner waiting for it to happen. I wonder when John for it to happen. I wonder when John for it to happen. I wonder when John Maxwell's going to reach out to me. It's Maxwell's going to reach out to me. It's Maxwell's going to reach out to me. It's probably not going to happen. So what probably not going to happen. So what probably not going to happen. So what what is the like how have you approached what is the like how have you approached what is the like how have you approached it? And then what are some dos and it? And then what are some dos and it? And then what are some dos and don'ts in that field about connecting don'ts in that field about connecting don'ts in that field about connecting with people? Yeah. No, that's a great with people? Yeah. No, that's a great with people? Yeah. No, that's a great question. I I think there's, you question. I I think there's, you question. I I think there's, you know, and and I have to do this every know, and and I have to do this every know, and and I have to do this every day. I don't know that it's ever going day. I don't know that it's ever going day. I don't know that it's ever going to go away. I think we all have to check to go away. I think we all have to check to go away. I think we all have to check our motives. Yes. Uh when it comes to our motives. Yes. Uh when it comes to our motives. Yes. Uh when it comes to who we're connecting with, I'm a lot who we're connecting with, I'm a lot who we're connecting with, I'm a lot older than you. It never goes away, older than you. It never goes away, older than you. It never goes away, Ryan. Bad news for you, buddy. Like, Ryan. Bad news for you, buddy. Like, Ryan. Bad news for you, buddy. Like, yeah, it's never going to go away. No.

yeah, it's never going to go away. No. yeah, it's never going to go away. No. Um and so I think there is a daily of Um and so I think there is a daily of Um and so I think there is a daily of like, why am I reaching out to this like, why am I reaching out to this like, why am I reaching out to this person? And um and then even just as a person? And um and then even just as a person? And um and then even just as a believer, you have to ask yourself, am I believer, you have to ask yourself, am I believer, you have to ask yourself, am I putting my hope in this connection? So, putting my hope in this connection? So, putting my hope in this connection? So, wait, you just said, "Why am I reaching wait, you just said, "Why am I reaching wait, you just said, "Why am I reaching out to this person?" So, it's proactive, out to this person?" So, it's proactive, out to this person?" So, it's proactive, not just reactive on your part. not just reactive on your part. not just reactive on your part. I think so. I I think or why do I want I think so. I I think or why do I want I think so. I I think or why do I want to connect with this person? Okay, good to connect with this person? Okay, good to connect with this person? Okay, good question. So bad. You know, why do I question. So bad. You know, why do I question. So bad. You know, why do I want to have this guest on on on my want to have this guest on on on my want to have this guest on on on my podcast? That's a question I have to ask podcast? That's a question I have to ask podcast? That's a question I have to ask myself. myself. myself. And here's here's what's interesting, And here's here's what's interesting, And here's here's what's interesting, Carrie. And and again we could go Carrie. And and again we could go Carrie. And and again we could go another hour just on this another hour just on this another hour just on this subject. We have a lot of subject. We have a lot of subject. We have a lot of friends slash used to be friends slash used to be friends slash used to be friends friends friends slash used to be idols people we look up slash used to be idols people we look up slash used to be idols people we look up to who we would have killed to have a to who we would have killed to have a to who we would have killed to have a conversation conversation conversation with who aren't in ministry anymore.

with who aren't in ministry anymore. with who aren't in ministry anymore. That really pains me. who were a big That really pains me. who were a big That really pains me. who were a big deal, who we would have killed to be in deal, who we would have killed to be in deal, who we would have killed to be in a green room with 10 years ago that a green room with 10 years ago that a green room with 10 years ago that today we would go, "Hey, brother, we're today we would go, "Hey, brother, we're today we would go, "Hey, brother, we're praying for you." Yeah. No, so wish that praying for you." Yeah. No, so wish that praying for you." Yeah. No, so wish that wasn't true, but it is very true. Yeah. wasn't true, but it is very true. Yeah. wasn't true, but it is very true. Yeah. And and it's somewhat of a long list, And and it's somewhat of a long list, And and it's somewhat of a long list, Gary. I know. I know. So you're you so Gary. I know. I know. So you're you so Gary. I know. I know. So you're you so you kind of just you kind of just you kind of just go, Lord, like protect my heart, pro my go, Lord, like protect my heart, pro my go, Lord, like protect my heart, pro my motives and and motives and and motives and and and help me be a person that just has and help me be a person that just has and help me be a person that just has um that does the right thing for the um that does the right thing for the um that does the right thing for the right reason. So I I think that's first right reason. So I I think that's first right reason. So I I think that's first is just checking our motives of is just checking our motives of is just checking our motives of hey, are we walking into call it a green hey, are we walking into call it a green hey, are we walking into call it a green room to give or to get? I've just room to give or to get? I've just room to give or to get? I've just decided I want to be a giver. Like if decided I want to be a giver. Like if decided I want to be a giver. Like if there's something I can add value to in there's something I can add value to in there's something I can add value to in this room, great. But at this point in this room, great. But at this point in this room, great. But at this point in my life, even if I get invited into a my life, even if I get invited into a my life, even if I get invited into a green room, I'm like, I don't know that green room, I'm like, I don't know that green room, I'm like, I don't know that I want to go into it unless I'm there to I want to go into it unless I'm there to I want to go into it unless I'm there to give to somebody. But it's like I don't give to somebody. But it's like I don't give to somebody. But it's like I don't have to run to the front. I don't have have to run to the front. I don't have have to run to the front. I don't have to meet this person. And if um in my to meet this person. And if um in my to meet this person. And if um in my line of work, if I happen to run into line of work, if I happen to run into line of work, if I happen to run into this person, if I I happen to get to this person, if I I happen to get to this person, if I I happen to get to meet this person, I'd be happy to shake meet this person, I'd be happy to shake meet this person, I'd be happy to shake their hand and say, "Hey, thanks for their hand and say, "Hey, thanks for their hand and say, "Hey, thanks for thanks for all you do." But I think thanks for all you do." But I think thanks for all you do." But I think there needs to be a natural progression there needs to be a natural progression there needs to be a natural progression of of perhaps somebody introducing you.

of of perhaps somebody introducing you. of of perhaps somebody introducing you. I I remember even just getting connected I I remember even just getting connected I I remember even just getting connected with John Maxwell for the first time. with John Maxwell for the first time. with John Maxwell for the first time. Um, a guy that works for him is a guy Um, a guy that works for him is a guy Um, a guy that works for him is a guy named Chad Johnson. And my book named Chad Johnson. And my book named Chad Johnson. And my book publisher was like, "Hey, you need to publisher was like, "Hey, you need to publisher was like, "Hey, you need to reach out to Chad and see if John will reach out to Chad and see if John will reach out to Chad and see if John will have you on his podcast or see if John have you on his podcast or see if John have you on his podcast or see if John will write the forward to your book and will write the forward to your book and will write the forward to your book and and you need to get a blurb from all of and you need to get a blurb from all of and you need to get a blurb from all of these famous people that you know." And these famous people that you know." And these famous people that you know." And and I was falling for that trap at the and I was falling for that trap at the and I was falling for that trap at the time. So I called Chad and I said, "Hey time. So I called Chad and I said, "Hey time. So I called Chad and I said, "Hey man, you know, you think I could be on man, you know, you think I could be on man, you know, you think I could be on John's podcast?" John's podcast?" John's podcast?" And he said, "Ryan, unfortunately, And he said, "Ryan, unfortunately, And he said, "Ryan, unfortunately, like you're not there like you're not there like you're not there yet." And I said, "You know what, Chad? yet." And I said, "You know what, Chad? yet." And I said, "You know what, Chad? Thanks for telling me that. Like, I got Thanks for telling me that. Like, I got Thanks for telling me that. Like, I got work to do and you just inspired me. work to do and you just inspired me. work to do and you just inspired me. Like, I I get it." He goes, "Yeah, we Like, I I get it." He goes, "Yeah, we Like, I I get it." He goes, "Yeah, we kind of need more of a household name on kind of need more of a household name on kind of need more of a household name on on the podcast." And I go, "I get it. on the podcast." And I go, "I get it. on the podcast." And I go, "I get it. That that's not where I'm at." And That that's not where I'm at." And That that's not where I'm at." And perhaps that's still not where I'm at. perhaps that's still not where I'm at. perhaps that's still not where I'm at. But a year later, you know, post Disney, But a year later, you know, post Disney, But a year later, you know, post Disney, Chick-fil-A, Wells Fargo, Capital One, Chick-fil-A, Wells Fargo, Capital One, Chick-fil-A, Wells Fargo, Capital One, Chase Bank, he was like, "Hey, man." And Chase Bank, he was like, "Hey, man." And Chase Bank, he was like, "Hey, man." And we just kept talking on the phone. He'd we just kept talking on the phone. He'd we just kept talking on the phone. He'd be like, "What did you do yesterday?"

be like, "What did you do yesterday?" be like, "What did you do yesterday?" "Wait, you were where yesterday?" I "Wait, you were where yesterday?" I "Wait, you were where yesterday?" I said, "Man, I'm just I'm just trying to said, "Man, I'm just I'm just trying to said, "Man, I'm just I'm just trying to do a good job wherever I'm at." And then do a good job wherever I'm at." And then do a good job wherever I'm at." And then I'll never forget, he went to John. He I'll never forget, he went to John. He I'll never forget, he went to John. He said, said, said, "Hey, it might be early, but "Hey, it might be early, but "Hey, it might be early, but I I think we need to have Ryan at at Day I I think we need to have Ryan at at Day I I think we need to have Ryan at at Day to Grow." This was a couple years ago. to Grow." This was a couple years ago. to Grow." This was a couple years ago. and and they rolled the dice and it and and and they rolled the dice and it and and and they rolled the dice and it and again it just it went well because again again it just it went well because again again it just it went well because again I'm maniacal about about bre and and and I'm maniacal about about bre and and and I'm maniacal about about bre and and and wanted to do a good job. But I think wanted to do a good job. But I think wanted to do a good job. But I think there is something about um I've been in there is something about um I've been in there is something about um I've been in John's uh orbit for a long time but me John's uh orbit for a long time but me John's uh orbit for a long time but me and John had lunch for the first time and John had lunch for the first time and John had lunch for the first time last year last year last year and it it took a minute. He He had to and it it took a minute. He He had to and it it took a minute. He He had to hear me speak probably three or four hear me speak probably three or four hear me speak probably three or four times before he times before he times before he went, "Okay, I I went, "Okay, I I went, "Okay, I I I think Ryan might be one of the best." I think Ryan might be one of the best." I think Ryan might be one of the best." Mhm. And he even told me at lunch, he Mhm. And he even told me at lunch, he Mhm. And he even told me at lunch, he said, "I knew you had one good talk. I said, "I knew you had one good talk. I said, "I knew you had one good talk. I just didn't know if you had two." That's just didn't know if you had two." That's just didn't know if you had two." That's a really perceptive point cuz some a really perceptive point cuz some a really perceptive point cuz some people only have one good talk. Yeah. He people only have one good talk. Yeah. He people only have one good talk. Yeah. He said, "I he he said I didn't know if you said, "I he he said I didn't know if you said, "I he he said I didn't know if you had three. I didn't know if you had had three. I didn't know if you had had three. I didn't know if you had four." or he said, "I've heard you speak four." or he said, "I've heard you speak four." or he said, "I've heard you speak a couple of times on a couple of a couple of times on a couple of a couple of times on a couple of different subjects and and and they were different subjects and and and they were different subjects and and and they were equally good. That let me know, hey, equally good. That let me know, hey, equally good. That let me know, hey, you're you're on to something. I want to you're you're on to something. I want to you're you're on to something. I want to invest in you." And and um and built invest in you." And and um and built invest in you." And and um and built even even more of a of a relationship.

even even more of a of a relationship. even even more of a of a relationship. And so he challenged me a couple years And so he challenged me a couple years And so he challenged me a couple years ago, just even when I had two minutes ago, just even when I had two minutes ago, just even when I had two minutes with him, he said, "Uh, man, just try to with him, he said, "Uh, man, just try to with him, he said, "Uh, man, just try to get into the top 5% of authors and get into the top 5% of authors and get into the top 5% of authors and speakers, you know?" He just challenged speakers, you know?" He just challenged speakers, you know?" He just challenged me to do that. He said, "If you do that, me to do that. He said, "If you do that, me to do that. He said, "If you do that, you'd be fine." and he goes, "I'm in the you'd be fine." and he goes, "I'm in the you'd be fine." and he goes, "I'm in the top 1%." But he goes, "But if you can top 1%." But he goes, "But if you can top 1%." But he goes, "But if you can get in the 5%," he goes, he goes, "I get in the 5%," he goes, he goes, "I get in the 5%," he goes, he goes, "I think you could do really well." And I think you could do really well." And I think you could do really well." And I took that challenge very seriously. And took that challenge very seriously. And took that challenge very seriously. And so I thought, how do I how do I write so I thought, how do I how do I write so I thought, how do I how do I write compelling books and and compelling compelling books and and compelling compelling books and and compelling keynotes that um would add that much keynotes that um would add that much keynotes that um would add that much value to people's lives. And so I think value to people's lives. And so I think value to people's lives. And so I think that there is um a a bit of you've got that there is um a a bit of you've got that there is um a a bit of you've got work to do. Your work needs to be able work to do. Your work needs to be able work to do. Your work needs to be able to speak for itself. to speak for itself. to speak for itself. Secondly, I think your your character Secondly, I think your your character Secondly, I think your your character and how you treat people needs to match. and how you treat people needs to match. and how you treat people needs to match. You need to have a high level of You need to have a high level of You need to have a high level of character and and a high and a high character and and a high and a high character and and a high and a high motor, I think, too, to be able to say, motor, I think, too, to be able to say, motor, I think, too, to be able to say, "Hey, I want I want to be really good at "Hey, I want I want to be really good at "Hey, I want I want to be really good at what I do. I don't want to be better what I do. I don't want to be better what I do. I don't want to be better than you or somebody else." It's I want than you or somebody else." It's I want than you or somebody else." It's I want to be the best that I possibly can be. I to be the best that I possibly can be. I to be the best that I possibly can be. I think when you do that, your your gift think when you do that, your your gift think when you do that, your your gift certainly can make room for you. Um, certainly can make room for you. Um, certainly can make room for you. Um, it's how I got connected with Rick it's how I got connected with Rick it's how I got connected with Rick Warren. And it's how I've gotten Warren. And it's how I've gotten Warren. And it's how I've gotten connected with u professional athletes connected with u professional athletes connected with u professional athletes or professional sports teams. It's, hey, or professional sports teams. It's, hey, or professional sports teams. It's, hey, Ryan did a great job, right, for us at Ryan did a great job, right, for us at Ryan did a great job, right, for us at our event. Hey, let me tell our event. Hey, let me tell our event. Hey, let me tell you about my friend Ryan. And and oh, by you about my friend Ryan. And and oh, by you about my friend Ryan. And and oh, by the way, the way, the way, um, most people um, most people um, most people say Ryan's a great speaker, but let me say Ryan's a great speaker, but let me say Ryan's a great speaker, but let me just tell you, he's a great guy.

just tell you, he's a great guy. just tell you, he's a great guy. That's actually more important to me. That's actually more important to me. That's actually more important to me. Yeah. Then, oh, he's a great speaker. Yeah. Then, oh, he's a great speaker. Yeah. Then, oh, he's a great speaker. Yep. Like, no. When we met him, like, Yep. Like, no. When we met him, like, Yep. Like, no. When we met him, like, dude, just did our people just just like dude, just did our people just just like dude, just did our people just just like like who he like this is like a real like who he like this is like a real like who he like this is like a real person. It's just like, yeah, I don't person. It's just like, yeah, I don't person. It's just like, yeah, I don't know what you're expecting a robot to know what you're expecting a robot to know what you're expecting a robot to show up. Nevertheless, but everybody, show up. Nevertheless, but everybody, show up. Nevertheless, but everybody, you know, sometimes there's like diva you know, sometimes there's like diva you know, sometimes there's like diva syndrome. Even in the church, like syndrome. Even in the church, like syndrome. Even in the church, like there's diva syndrome. There's people there's diva syndrome. There's people there's diva syndrome. There's people who kind of have the entourage and all who kind of have the entourage and all who kind of have the entourage and all these demands and everything. And and I these demands and everything. And and I these demands and everything. And and I agree. I think when the when the agree. I think when the when the agree. I think when the when the offstage reality is better than the offstage reality is better than the offstage reality is better than the onstage reality. Sure. That's that's onstage reality. Sure. That's that's onstage reality. Sure. That's that's great. So, a lot of young leaders great. So, a lot of young leaders great. So, a lot of young leaders listening who are where you were 10 listening who are where you were 10 listening who are where you were 10 years ago. Yeah. You mentioned a lot of years ago. Yeah. You mentioned a lot of years ago. Yeah. You mentioned a lot of big names. Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, big names. Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, big names. Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, John Maxwell. Yeah. You're meeting them John Maxwell. Yeah. You're meeting them John Maxwell. Yeah. You're meeting them for the first time. Advise those young for the first time. Advise those young for the first time. Advise those young leaders do and don'ts. What are what are leaders do and don'ts. What are what are leaders do and don'ts. What are what are what what is a more relationally what what is a more relationally what what is a more relationally intelligent way, emotionally intelligent intelligent way, emotionally intelligent intelligent way, emotionally intelligent way to connect with someone who might be way to connect with someone who might be way to connect with someone who might be a hero versus some things you should a hero versus some things you should a hero versus some things you should definitely avoid.

I'm going to use this word again. I I'm going to use this word again. I don't know if we're going to call don't know if we're going to call don't know if we're going to call this episode maniacal with Ryan Lake. this episode maniacal with Ryan Lake. this episode maniacal with Ryan Lake. Oh, it's probably going to be in the Oh, it's probably going to be in the Oh, it's probably going to be in the title. Yeah. title. Yeah. title. Yeah. Um, be maniacal in your prep. be be Um, be maniacal in your prep. be be Um, be maniacal in your prep. be be maniacal in your prep for somebody you maniacal in your prep for somebody you maniacal in your prep for somebody you want to meet. I have a John Maxwell tab want to meet. I have a John Maxwell tab want to meet. I have a John Maxwell tab on my iPhone of questions to ask him if on my iPhone of questions to ask him if on my iPhone of questions to ask him if I get 5 minutes with him or two I get 5 minutes with him or two I get 5 minutes with him or two hours. I've had that tab for six years. hours. I've had that tab for six years. hours. I've had that tab for six years. Wow. Long before you had a personal Wow. Long before you had a personal Wow. Long before you had a personal introduction. Way before. Way before. if introduction. Way before. Way before. if introduction. Way before. Way before. if I knew he was going to be in town and I I knew he was going to be in town and I I knew he was going to be in town and I just so happened would I thought these just so happened would I thought these just so happened would I thought these are people you do not want to waste are people you do not want to waste are people you do not want to waste their time. If you get time with their time. If you get time with their time. If you get time with them be prepared. So, if you've got a them be prepared. So, if you've got a them be prepared. So, if you've got a list of people in your mind, you think, list of people in your mind, you think, list of people in your mind, you think, man, if one day if I could just pick man, if one day if I could just pick man, if one day if I could just pick their brain, you you better have a their brain, you you better have a their brain, you you better have a pretty good set of pretty good set of pretty good set of questions that if you get to ask one or questions that if you get to ask one or questions that if you get to ask one or if you get to ask if you get to ask if you get to ask 30, you are locked, loaded, and ready to 30, you are locked, loaded, and ready to 30, you are locked, loaded, and ready to go. That that just signals to them that go. That that just signals to them that go. That that just signals to them that you are different from every other you are different from every other you are different from every other person that has met them. Okay? Oh, I person that has met them. Okay? Oh, I person that has met them. Okay? Oh, I don't want to interrupt you. Can Can I don't want to interrupt you. Can Can I don't want to interrupt you. Can Can I just add a little bit of color to that?

just add a little bit of color to that? just add a little bit of color to that? I agree. I have maniacally prepped for I I agree. I have maniacally prepped for I I agree. I have maniacally prepped for I don't want to name names, but a few of don't want to name names, but a few of don't want to name names, but a few of the people that are now regulars on this the people that are now regulars on this the people that are now regulars on this podcast. Sure. I mean, I Well, I'll name podcast. Sure. I mean, I Well, I'll name podcast. Sure. I mean, I Well, I'll name one. The first time I had Seth Goden on one. The first time I had Seth Goden on one. The first time I had Seth Goden on Yeah. I prepped for three days and I had Yeah. I prepped for three days and I had Yeah. I prepped for three days and I had thought for years if I ever got to talk thought for years if I ever got to talk thought for years if I ever got to talk to Seth. And one of the reasons I think to Seth. And one of the reasons I think to Seth. And one of the reasons I think he came back is he's like, "You were he came back is he's like, "You were he came back is he's like, "You were ready." And 100% what a what a joy. Now ready." And 100% what a what a joy. Now ready." And 100% what a what a joy. Now I've also had this experience where I've also had this experience where I've also had this experience where somebody's waited a long time to meet somebody's waited a long time to meet somebody's waited a long time to meet me. They meet me and they talk about me. They meet me and they talk about me. They meet me and they talk about themselves or their situation for 15 or themselves or their situation for 15 or themselves or their situation for 15 or 20 minutes and our time you're shaking 20 minutes and our time you're shaking 20 minutes and our time you're shaking your head. Do you want to comment on your head. Do you want to comment on your head. Do you want to comment on that? Because you're you're suggesting that? Because you're you're suggesting that? Because you're you're suggesting the opposite. the opposite. the opposite. Absolutely. You you you got to think that this they're you got to think that this they're dealing dealing dealing with the people like with the people like with the people like you 20 times a week.

you 20 times a week. you 20 times a week. And so you you do not want to waste a And so you you do not want to waste a And so you you do not want to waste a second second second of that time with them trying to impress of that time with them trying to impress of that time with them trying to impress them them them with what you've done lately. with what you've done lately. with what you've done lately. Um, I think one of the things that when Um, I think one of the things that when Um, I think one of the things that when when I talk about maniacal, I'm when I talk about maniacal, I'm when I talk about maniacal, I'm talking don't ask them questions they've talking don't ask them questions they've talking don't ask them questions they've already answered in their books. So, my last breakfast with So, my last breakfast with John, I went John, I went John, I went through one, I I read his latest book through one, I I read his latest book through one, I I read his latest book that had just come out two weeks that had just come out two weeks that had just come out two weeks prior. Number one. prior. Number one. prior. Number one. Number two, I went through all of the Number two, I went through all of the Number two, I went through all of the other ones and just kind of freshened up other ones and just kind of freshened up other ones and just kind of freshened up and went, "Hey, what were questions that and went, "Hey, what were questions that and went, "Hey, what were questions that I had when I went through this I had when I went through this I had when I went through this book?" And being able to figure out what book?" And being able to figure out what book?" And being able to figure out what are some unique questions that he are some unique questions that he are some unique questions that he doesn't get asked every day. What would doesn't get asked every day. What would doesn't get asked every day. What would an example of that be? Like John an example of that be? Like John an example of that be? Like John Maxwell, who has 472 books. What would Maxwell, who has 472 books. What would Maxwell, who has 472 books. What would what would a John Maxwell like? You what would a John Maxwell like? You what would a John Maxwell like? You probably don't get this question very probably don't get this question very probably don't get this question very often. Question. I see you're looking at often. Question. I see you're looking at often. Question. I see you're looking at your John Maxwell tab. I love this. I'm your John Maxwell tab. I love this. I'm your John Maxwell tab. I love this. I'm like, where's my tab at? Let's see here.

like, where's my tab at? Let's see here. like, where's my tab at? Let's see here. Yeah. Uh, John Maxwell. Um, okay. For example, one of the Um, okay. For example, one of the questions is, uh, what did you care questions is, uh, what did you care questions is, uh, what did you care about 30 years ago that you could care about 30 years ago that you could care about 30 years ago that you could care less about today? less about today? less about today? That's a great question. That's a great question. That's a great question. Yeah. You're Yeah. You're Yeah. You're going, you know what? What is What could going, you know what? What is What could going, you know what? What is What could you care less about right now? You want you care less about right now? You want you care less about right now? You want to know what's so funny today? John Mto to know what's so funny today? John Mto to know what's so funny today? John Mto could care less about social media right could care less about social media right could care less about social media right now. now. now. It's interesting, isn't it? That is It's interesting, isn't it? That is It's interesting, isn't it? That is because it's in the world that we live because it's in the world that we live because it's in the world that we live in. You're like, it's everything for in. You're like, it's everything for in. You're like, it's everything for him. He goes, it's nothing. He's never him. He goes, it's nothing. He's never him. He goes, it's nothing. He's never even logged in. even logged in. even logged in. So again, you start to think, okay, tell So again, you start to think, okay, tell So again, you start to think, okay, tell me what what do you care about? What do me what what do you care about? What do me what what do you care about? What do you Because it hasn't hindered his you Because it hasn't hindered his you Because it hasn't hindered his success. Yeah. Not at all. and he has success. Yeah. Not at all. and he has success. Yeah. Not at all. and he has such a great team that it's still a part such a great team that it's still a part such a great team that it's still a part of his world very much and he's still of his world very much and he's still of his world very much and he's still having an impact there, but he's not having an impact there, but he's not having an impact there, but he's not thinking about thinking about thinking about it at all. Um, another question is, if it at all. Um, another question is, if it at all. Um, another question is, if there's one thing you could go back and there's one thing you could go back and there's one thing you could go back and unteach, what would it be? Oo, wow.

unteach, what would it be? Oo, wow. unteach, what would it be? Oo, wow. Um, is there anything you used to Um, is there anything you used to Um, is there anything you used to believe about God that has changed in believe about God that has changed in believe about God that has changed in the last 10 years? the last 10 years? the last 10 years? Yeah, cuz people's theology grows, you Yeah, cuz people's theology grows, you Yeah, cuz people's theology grows, you know. Um, what crucial conversations did you Um, what crucial conversations did you have to have with your wife and family have to have with your wife and family have to have with your wife and family to be able to make the impact that to be able to make the impact that to be able to make the impact that you've made? you've made? you've made? I ask questions for a living. That is a I ask questions for a living. That is a I ask questions for a living. That is a great set of questions. Yeah. I mean, I great set of questions. Yeah. I mean, I great set of questions. Yeah. I mean, I I got a I got a I got a I got a I got a I got a whole I got a whole list, you know. whole I got a whole list, you know. whole I got a whole list, you know. Um I I just tried to dive Um I I just tried to dive Um I I just tried to dive into, you know, a little bit of his into, you know, a little bit of his into, you know, a little bit of his world and some things that uh he doesn't world and some things that uh he doesn't world and some things that uh he doesn't he is is is very much leadership focused he is is is very much leadership focused he is is is very much leadership focused and pulling examples from all around the and pulling examples from all around the and pulling examples from all around the globe. globe. globe. Um Um Um that I have rarely heard him go the that I have rarely heard him go the that I have rarely heard him go the route of his kids and and family and so route of his kids and and family and so route of his kids and and family and so on and so forth. um and and navigate on and so forth. um and and navigate on and so forth. um and and navigate some of the personal side of of that, some of the personal side of of that, some of the personal side of of that, which is something that I think is more which is something that I think is more which is something that I think is more important than than ever before. So, um important than than ever before. So, um important than than ever before. So, um so I have a similar so I have a similar so I have a similar trajectory except I've got a 10-year-old trajectory except I've got a 10-year-old trajectory except I've got a 10-year-old basketball player and a 5-year-old basketball player and a 5-year-old basketball player and a 5-year-old basketball player that play three games basketball player that play three games basketball player that play three games a a a week. And so navigating that interesting week. And so navigating that interesting week. And so navigating that interesting tension is something that I have not tension is something that I have not tension is something that I have not heard him touch on a lot. So, so I heard him touch on a lot. So, so I heard him touch on a lot. So, so I wanted to double click on on on some of wanted to double click on on on some of wanted to double click on on on some of those things. Uh,

those things. Uh, those things. Uh, yeah. So, you show up prepared, you make yeah. So, you show up prepared, you make yeah. So, you show up prepared, you make it about the guest, not about you. You it about the guest, not about you. You it about the guest, not about you. You ask questions that nobody else would be ask questions that nobody else would be ask questions that nobody else would be asking. Any other dos and don'ts asking. Any other dos and don'ts asking. Any other dos and don'ts for meeting people who you've been for meeting people who you've been for meeting people who you've been longing to meet for a long time? longing to meet for a long time? longing to meet for a long time? This might be a me thing. I don't know This might be a me thing. I don't know This might be a me thing. I don't know that it's a I would tell everybody a that it's a I would tell everybody a that it's a I would tell everybody a don't don't don't pictures. Mhm. You you instantly go into pictures. Mhm. You you instantly go into pictures. Mhm. You you instantly go into a category of a fan. Yeah. Which there's a category of a fan. Yeah. Which there's a category of a fan. Yeah. Which there's nothing wrong with nothing wrong with nothing wrong with that, but uh I do think that there is that, but uh I do think that there is that, but uh I do think that there is something about there is a respect something about there is a respect something about there is a respect level. I think of of someone to say, level. I think of of someone to say, level. I think of of someone to say, "Hey, um I'm not just fanboying right "Hey, um I'm not just fanboying right "Hey, um I'm not just fanboying right now. I'm not just fanirling right now." now. I'm not just fanirling right now." now. I'm not just fanirling right now." I think that there is a a maturity in I think that there is a a maturity in I think that there is a a maturity in the sense of not I'm too cool for a the sense of not I'm too cool for a the sense of not I'm too cool for a picture. Yeah. Um but I think there is picture. Yeah. Um but I think there is picture. Yeah. Um but I think there is there's there's there's a a something of hey I value your time a a something of hey I value your time a a something of hey I value your time and I realize that you may not even want and I realize that you may not even want and I realize that you may not even want to be taking a picture right now. You're to be taking a picture right now. You're to be taking a picture right now. You're taking a lot of pictures in your life.

taking a lot of pictures in your life. taking a lot of pictures in your life. Uh I realize that you there is a there's Uh I realize that you there is a there's Uh I realize that you there is a there's a little bit of a sign of respect of a little bit of a sign of respect of a little bit of a sign of respect of being able to say, "Hey, I I really and being able to say, "Hey, I I really and being able to say, "Hey, I I really and I I really value your time. I I got one I I really value your time. I I got one I I really value your time. I I got one question." question." question." Wow. Yes. That was that'd be another Wow. Yes. That was that'd be another Wow. Yes. That was that'd be another thing I would add, Ryan. Briefer than thing I would add, Ryan. Briefer than thing I would add, Ryan. Briefer than you want it to be. Absolutely. You be you want it to be. Absolutely. You be you want it to be. Absolutely. You be the guy. Elevator pitch. Yeah. Elevator the guy. Elevator pitch. Yeah. Elevator the guy. Elevator pitch. Yeah. Elevator pitch. Take take one minute and if they pitch. Take take one minute and if they pitch. Take take one minute and if they want to give you five, awesome. But want to give you five, awesome. But want to give you five, awesome. But don't be like the guy asking for 15 don't be like the guy asking for 15 don't be like the guy asking for 15 minutes when they only got two to give. minutes when they only got two to give. minutes when they only got two to give. Yeah, absolutely. I was with a guy last Yeah, absolutely. I was with a guy last Yeah, absolutely. I was with a guy last night. Um, he was asking me all kinds of night. Um, he was asking me all kinds of night. Um, he was asking me all kinds of questions and he was my driver at the questions and he was my driver at the questions and he was my driver at the event that I was event that I was event that I was at. It wasn't until he started asking me at. It wasn't until he started asking me at. It wasn't until he started asking me about how I about how I about how I pivoted from service one to service two pivoted from service one to service two pivoted from service one to service two that I went, okay, I could talk all day that I went, okay, I could talk all day that I went, okay, I could talk all day now. now. now. What do you mean service one to service What do you mean service one to service What do you mean service one to service two? What does that what does that mean? two? What does that what does that mean? two? What does that what does that mean? Um, I I did a message for Oh, you Um, I I did a message for Oh, you Um, I I did a message for Oh, you pivoted like first service, second pivoted like first service, second pivoted like first service, second service. Okay, got it. first service to service. Okay, got it. first service to service. Okay, got it. first service to second service. He said, "Man, your your second service. He said, "Man, your your second service. He said, "Man, your your adjustments, dude.

adjustments, dude. adjustments, dude. How did you do that?" And I'm like, "I How did you do that?" And I'm like, "I How did you do that?" And I'm like, "I could talk to you for an hour now. could talk to you for an hour now. could talk to you for an hour now. You you've piqued my interest. You've You you've piqued my interest. You've You you've piqued my interest. You've you're now talking about something that you're now talking about something that you're now talking about something that I love talking about." And so you're I love talking about." And so you're I love talking about." And so you're trying to get inside of their world in a trying to get inside of their world in a trying to get inside of their world in a way way way that that you're thinking about what do that that you're thinking about what do that that you're thinking about what do they love talking about and how can I they love talking about and how can I they love talking about and how can I ask a question that of something that ask a question that of something that ask a question that of something that I've seen. I've noticed something. Hey, I've seen. I've noticed something. Hey, I've seen. I've noticed something. Hey, I noticed you did this in chapter 12. I noticed you did this in chapter 12. I noticed you did this in chapter 12. The art, not even the content. I noticed The art, not even the content. I noticed The art, not even the content. I noticed that you went from this subject to this. that you went from this subject to this. that you went from this subject to this. Was that Was that Was that intentional? It's like, oh, you read my intentional? It's like, oh, you read my intentional? It's like, oh, you read my book. Like you read read the book. like book. Like you read read the book. like book. Like you read read the book. like you like you're really really prepared you like you're really really prepared you like you're really really prepared which means you know the content better which means you know the content better which means you know the content better like than most like than most like than most people. It's like there there is people. It's like there there is people. It's like there there is a you can always tell if it's just a fan a you can always tell if it's just a fan a you can always tell if it's just a fan that just says, "Hey, will you sign my that just says, "Hey, will you sign my that just says, "Hey, will you sign my book?" versus somebody that's like, "No, book?" versus somebody that's like, "No, book?" versus somebody that's like, "No, I I did my homework." You know, I told I I did my homework." You know, I told I I did my homework." You know, I told you before we started the record. I was you before we started the record. I was you before we started the record. I was like, "Dude, your team is just amazing like, "Dude, your team is just amazing like, "Dude, your team is just amazing and how much you prepared and just and how much you prepared and just and how much you prepared and just remarkable." You even think about when remarkable." You even think about when remarkable." You even think about when we got on and I said, "Hey, I love your we got on and I said, "Hey, I love your we got on and I said, "Hey, I love your book. You you you pivoted. I lit I lit book. You you you pivoted. I lit I lit book. You you you pivoted. I lit I lit up." That's great. Particularly an up." That's great. Particularly an up." That's great. Particularly an 8-year-old book. Yep. But it's true.

8-year-old book. Yep. But it's true. 8-year-old book. Yep. But it's true. Does that make sense? So, it's like it Does that make sense? So, it's like it Does that make sense? So, it's like it it's prep both ways to be able to to be it's prep both ways to be able to to be it's prep both ways to be able to to be able to say, "Hey, I want to want to able to say, "Hey, I want to want to able to say, "Hey, I want to want to honor your time. I don't take your honor your time. I don't take your honor your time. I don't take your podcast lightly. I don't take your podcast lightly. I don't take your podcast lightly. I don't take your audience lightly, and and I really audience lightly, and and I really audience lightly, and and I really appreciate the opportunity to get to appreciate the opportunity to get to appreciate the opportunity to get to have this conversation." But it's it's a have this conversation." But it's it's a have this conversation." But it's it's a it's a way of honoring the other person it's a way of honoring the other person it's a way of honoring the other person to be able to to dive in to say, "Hey, I to be able to to dive in to say, "Hey, I to be able to to dive in to say, "Hey, I I read the whole thing and and in light I read the whole thing and and in light I read the whole thing and and in light of reading the whole thing, you didn't of reading the whole thing, you didn't of reading the whole thing, you didn't cover this already, cover this already, cover this already, so can I double click on this piece?" so can I double click on this piece?" so can I double click on this piece?" Yeah. You know, it's it is a you feel Yeah. You know, it's it is a you feel Yeah. You know, it's it is a you feel honored that they care about the work honored that they care about the work honored that they care about the work that you worked really hard to put that you worked really hard to put that you worked really hard to put together. And so I think you're there's together. And so I think you're there's together. And so I think you're there's a there's a much larger capacity and a a there's a much larger capacity and a a there's a much larger capacity and a willingness to spend more time with that willingness to spend more time with that willingness to spend more time with that person. And I people reach out all the person. And I people reach out all the person. And I people reach out all the time. Oh man, I love to pick your brain. time. Oh man, I love to pick your brain. time. Oh man, I love to pick your brain. Oh, I love to pick your brain. Oh, I Oh, I love to pick your brain. Oh, I Oh, I love to pick your brain. Oh, I love to pick your brain. Great. Here's love to pick your brain. Great. Here's love to pick your brain. Great. Here's four books. Do you read them? You can four books. Do you read them? You can four books. Do you read them? You can have my time. have my time. have my time. And how many people ever do that? One.

And how many people ever do that? One. And how many people ever do that? One. One person. One guy. One guy stopped me One person. One guy. One guy stopped me One person. One guy. One guy stopped me at the gym and he said, "Dude, if I ever at the gym and he said, "Dude, if I ever at the gym and he said, "Dude, if I ever got an hour with you, dude, I I would got an hour with you, dude, I I would got an hour with you, dude, I I would love to pick your brain." I said, "I'm love to pick your brain." I said, "I'm love to pick your brain." I said, "I'm going to give you some homework. If you going to give you some homework. If you going to give you some homework. If you do it, you can have an hour." He did it. do it, you can have an hour." He did it. do it, you can have an hour." He did it. Good for him. He did it and came back Good for him. He did it and came back Good for him. He did it and came back with 20 questions. And I went, with 20 questions. And I went, with 20 questions. And I went, he can have my time. Let's go. Anytime he can have my time. Let's go. Anytime he can have my time. Let's go. Anytime for free. You know, it's like I could for free. You know, it's like I could for free. You know, it's like I could just tell like you're you're a person just tell like you're you're a person just tell like you're you're a person that you have that it factor. the Craig that you have that it factor. the Craig that you have that it factor. the Craig Rashells of the world, the Andes, the Rashells of the world, the Andes, the Rashells of the world, the Andes, the Ricks, the Simon S, you name it. Like Ricks, the Simon S, you name it. Like Ricks, the Simon S, you name it. Like they can recognize those people like they can recognize those people like they can recognize those people like that. And so, uh, so I think being that. And so, uh, so I think being that. And so, uh, so I think being wellstudied, whether you're meeting wellstudied, whether you're meeting wellstudied, whether you're meeting someone you've admired for a long time someone you've admired for a long time someone you've admired for a long time or you're getting a microphone and or you're getting a microphone and or you're getting a microphone and getting ready to communicate in front of getting ready to communicate in front of getting ready to communicate in front of a bunch of people, I think there's a bunch of people, I think there's a bunch of people, I think there's something about just just being something about just just being something about just just being prepared. I think there is a respect prepared. I think there is a respect prepared. I think there is a respect level that comes with that across the level that comes with that across the level that comes with that across the board. Yeah. board. Yeah. board. Yeah. Success makes us more of who we already Success makes us more of who we already Success makes us more of who we already are and also amplifies certain elements are and also amplifies certain elements are and also amplifies certain elements of our character. Sometimes for better, of our character. Sometimes for better, of our character. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. What have you had sometimes for worse. What have you had sometimes for worse. What have you had to guard against as your platform has to guard against as your platform has to guard against as your platform has grown, your income has grown, your team grown, your income has grown, your team grown, your income has grown, your team has grown, and your success has grown?

has grown, and your success has grown? has grown, and your success has grown? Uh, great question. Um, you know, I Uh, great question. Um, you know, I Uh, great question. Um, you know, I learned this from Rick Warren, actually. learned this from Rick Warren, actually. learned this from Rick Warren, actually. Rick, he said to me, uh, I spent about Rick, he said to me, uh, I spent about Rick, he said to me, uh, I spent about three hours with Rick Warren out in in, three hours with Rick Warren out in in, three hours with Rick Warren out in in, uh, California, and towards the end of uh, California, and towards the end of uh, California, and towards the end of the three hours, I said, "Rick, tell me the three hours, I said, "Rick, tell me the three hours, I said, "Rick, tell me what you see. I'm just curious like when what you see. I'm just curious like when what you see. I'm just curious like when you see you see you see me, what do you see? Are there concerns? me, what do you see? Are there concerns? me, what do you see? Are there concerns? What What should I look out for? I'm What What should I look out for? I'm What What should I look out for? I'm wide open." And he said, "Ryan, I'm not wide open." And he said, "Ryan, I'm not wide open." And he said, "Ryan, I'm not worried about your career at all." He worried about your career at all." He worried about your career at all." He said, "A person like you," he goes, said, "A person like you," he goes, said, "A person like you," he goes, "Your career will take care of itself." "Your career will take care of itself." "Your career will take care of itself." He says, "You have enough talent like He says, "You have enough talent like He says, "You have enough talent like you you'll you'll always just figure you you'll you'll always just figure you you'll you'll always just figure that out." He said, "What won't take that out." He said, "What won't take that out." He said, "What won't take care of itself is your family." And he care of itself is your family." And he care of itself is your family." And he said, "My biggest concern for you, not said, "My biggest concern for you, not said, "My biggest concern for you, not you personally, but people like you, is you personally, but people like you, is you personally, but people like you, is that your lifestyle is not good for that your lifestyle is not good for that your lifestyle is not good for you." I said, "What do you mean?" He you." I said, "What do you mean?" He you." I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "First class, steak said, "First class, steak said, "First class, steak dinners, presidential suites, everyone dinners, presidential suites, everyone dinners, presidential suites, everyone treating you like a king, lights, treating you like a king, lights, treating you like a king, lights, camera, action, camera, action, camera, action, fog, intro videos, standing ovations."

fog, intro videos, standing ovations." fog, intro videos, standing ovations." He said, "Your family can't compete with He said, "Your family can't compete with He said, "Your family can't compete with that." He said, "Your your family can't that." He said, "Your your family can't that." He said, "Your your family can't compete with Elevation Church. Your compete with Elevation Church. Your compete with Elevation Church. Your family can't compete with Lakewood. family can't compete with Lakewood. family can't compete with Lakewood. Guess what? They can't compete with Guess what? They can't compete with Guess what? They can't compete with Saddleback. We have way too many people. Saddleback. We have way too many people. Saddleback. We have way too many people. They're going to lose." He said, "So They're going to lose." He said, "So They're going to lose." He said, "So what I tell people like you is that what I tell people like you is that what I tell people like you is that whenever you go home, make sure you mow whenever you go home, make sure you mow whenever you go home, make sure you mow your own lawn cuz you need something to your own lawn cuz you need something to your own lawn cuz you need something to ground you." He said, "When you go home, ground you." He said, "When you go home, ground you." He said, "When you go home, make sure you change your own make sure you change your own make sure you change your own diapers." And so, um, we got a really diapers." And so, um, we got a really diapers." And so, um, we got a really small backyard and it was like super small backyard and it was like super small backyard and it was like super muddy and the sun wouldn't shine on it, muddy and the sun wouldn't shine on it, muddy and the sun wouldn't shine on it, so we turfed it so I can't mow my own so we turfed it so I can't mow my own so we turfed it so I can't mow my own lawn. But what I do is I mop my own lawn. But what I do is I mop my own lawn. But what I do is I mop my own floor. Good for you. And so my my mop floor. Good for you. And so my my mop floor. Good for you. And so my my mop game is insane. If you saw my mop, he'd game is insane. If you saw my mop, he'd game is insane. If you saw my mop, he'd go, "What in the AI is going on in your go, "What in the AI is going on in your go, "What in the AI is going on in your house? And how does it know what this house? And how does it know what this house? And how does it know what this is? Amazing." But it it's And even my is? Amazing." But it it's And even my is? Amazing." But it it's And even my kids, my wife like, "What? You got home kids, my wife like, "What? You got home kids, my wife like, "What? You got home at 11:00. Why are you mopping the at 11:00. Why are you mopping the at 11:00. Why are you mopping the floor?" I go, "I'm coming home. floor?" I go, "I'm coming home. floor?" I go, "I'm coming home. I'm I'm coming back to just I'm just a I'm I'm coming back to just I'm just a I'm I'm coming back to just I'm just a dad and a husband and just, you know dad and a husband and just, you know dad and a husband and just, you know what? I still mow my own lawn." And what? I still mow my own lawn." And what? I still mow my own lawn." And people ask me, "Why do you do that? We people ask me, "Why do you do that? We people ask me, "Why do you do that? We got a halfacre." And well, it's a bit got a halfacre." And well, it's a bit got a halfacre." And well, it's a bit I'm maniacal, but I I I think underneath I'm maniacal, but I I I think underneath I'm maniacal, but I I I think underneath that, I've never quite thought about it that, I've never quite thought about it that, I've never quite thought about it that way. Part of that is it's very that way. Part of that is it's very that way. Part of that is it's very grounding. I mowed my own lawn when I grounding. I mowed my own lawn when I grounding. I mowed my own lawn when I was a kid. My parents' lawn, you know, was a kid. My parents' lawn, you know, was a kid. My parents' lawn, you know, when we became homeowners, I mowed my when we became homeowners, I mowed my when we became homeowners, I mowed my lawn. It's the one I still wash my own lawn. It's the one I still wash my own lawn. It's the one I still wash my own cars. Like%, you know, I I'll try to cars. Like%, you know, I I'll try to cars. Like%, you know, I I'll try to detail them unless they got really detail them unless they got really detail them unless they got really dirty, but I haven't paid for a detail dirty, but I haven't paid for a detail dirty, but I haven't paid for a detail in like six years. It's like, give me a in like six years. It's like, give me a in like six years. It's like, give me a Saturday morning and a bucket and a

Saturday morning and a bucket and a Saturday morning and a bucket and a little bit of cleaner I got and let's little bit of cleaner I got and let's little bit of cleaner I got and let's go. Let's go, land. Let's make it shine. go. Let's go, land. Let's make it shine. go. Let's go, land. Let's make it shine. And like I love that stuff because I And like I love that stuff because I And like I love that stuff because I think you're right. It's my life has think you're right. It's my life has think you're right. It's my life has changed a lot. Yeah. But it's so changed a lot. Yeah. But it's so changed a lot. Yeah. But it's so grounding. And Rick, I mean, what great grounding. And Rick, I mean, what great grounding. And Rick, I mean, what great advice. Yeah. I can promise you, Ryan, advice. Yeah. I can promise you, Ryan, advice. Yeah. I can promise you, Ryan, my wife is not impressed. She doesn't my wife is not impressed. She doesn't my wife is not impressed. She doesn't could care less. I mean, she is and could care less. I mean, she is and could care less. I mean, she is and she's not, you know. Oh, yeah. Like, she's not, you know. Oh, yeah. Like, she's not, you know. Oh, yeah. Like, come on. Yeah. No, 100%. There's, you come on. Yeah. No, 100%. There's, you come on. Yeah. No, 100%. There's, you know, Rick said something else, too. He know, Rick said something else, too. He know, Rick said something else, too. He said, uh, said, uh, said, uh, he said, Ryan, none of us were made to he said, Ryan, none of us were made to he said, Ryan, none of us were made to be woripped. be woripped. be woripped. He said only one guy was made for that He said only one guy was made for that He said only one guy was made for that and his name is Jesus. And and and that and his name is Jesus. And and and that and his name is Jesus. And and and that and sometimes when you're you're doing and sometimes when you're you're doing and sometimes when you're you're doing what we do at a high level, there is an what we do at a high level, there is an what we do at a high level, there is an admiration that you can kind of take and admiration that you can kind of take and admiration that you can kind of take and you're like, whoa, I'm not made for you're like, whoa, I'm not made for you're like, whoa, I'm not made for this. You will crumble under too much. this. You will crumble under too much. this. You will crumble under too much. Let's call it what it is. Worship. Yeah. Let's call it what it is. Worship. Yeah. Let's call it what it is. Worship. Yeah. And so, so I think that there is a And so, so I think that there is a And so, so I think that there is a having things that ground you. I've got having things that ground you. I've got having things that ground you. I've got great friends, too. I I think I've got great friends, too. I I think I've got great friends, too. I I think I've got great friends with a high level of great friends with a high level of great friends with a high level of accountability that um they know how accountability that um they know how accountability that um they know how much money I make. They know how much I much money I make. They know how much I much money I make. They know how much I give to make sure that I am doing that, give to make sure that I am doing that, give to make sure that I am doing that, that I keep a generous heart. Um I've that I keep a generous heart. Um I've that I keep a generous heart. Um I've got got got friends that fly private.

friends that fly private. friends that fly private. I've got friends that fly spirit or some I've got friends that fly spirit or some I've got friends that fly spirit or some say, if you fly spirit, you will soon be say, if you fly spirit, you will soon be say, if you fly spirit, you will soon be a spirit. Um, I got friends that fly a spirit. Um, I got friends that fly a spirit. Um, I got friends that fly Southwest Group B. Southwest Group B. Southwest Group B. Um, I've Um, I've Um, I've I'm I got friends that fly first class. I'm I got friends that fly first class. I'm I got friends that fly first class. So, when you're sitting in first class, So, when you're sitting in first class, So, when you're sitting in first class, you're not getting too high or too low you're not getting too high or too low you're not getting too high or too low because you've got friends all around because you've got friends all around because you've got friends all around you that keep you down to earth. One of you that keep you down to earth. One of you that keep you down to earth. One of my buddies flew private to North my buddies flew private to North my buddies flew private to North Carolina and he was outside taking a Carolina and he was outside taking a Carolina and he was outside taking a picture and he felt really great. It was picture and he felt really great. It was picture and he felt really great. It was the first time in a private jet and he the first time in a private jet and he the first time in a private jet and he said all of a sudden there was a shadow said all of a sudden there was a shadow said all of a sudden there was a shadow that just came over the entire plane. that just came over the entire plane. that just came over the entire plane. He's like, "Man, what in the world's He's like, "Man, what in the world's He's like, "Man, what in the world's going on? Did the clouds change?" And he going on? Did the clouds change?" And he going on? Did the clouds change?" And he said it was Michael Jordan's plane. said it was Michael Jordan's plane. said it was Michael Jordan's plane. [Laughter] [Laughter] [Laughter] There's always a bigger one. And he he There's always a bigger one. And he he There's always a bigger one. And he he said he went from like top of the world said he went from like top of the world said he went from like top of the world to like you're a nobody. It's just like to like you're a nobody. It's just like to like you're a nobody. It's just like dude, dude, dude, you know, again, I try not to get too you know, again, I try not to get too you know, again, I try not to get too high or too low. Mhm. Um I I my high or too low. Mhm. Um I I my high or too low. Mhm. Um I I my friends keep me in in a place of of friends keep me in in a place of of friends keep me in in a place of of humility. And I think the other nice humility. And I think the other nice humility. And I think the other nice part too in in the corporate speaking part too in in the corporate speaking part too in in the corporate speaking sector is the best speakers in corporate sector is the best speakers in corporate sector is the best speakers in corporate America aren't famous.

America aren't famous. America aren't famous. Yeah, you're right. It's that micro Yeah, you're right. It's that micro Yeah, you're right. It's that micro niche celebrity where I I click on niche celebrity where I I click on niche celebrity where I I click on people on Instagram or Tik Tok or people on Instagram or Tik Tok or people on Instagram or Tik Tok or YouTube, millions and millions of YouTube, millions and millions of YouTube, millions and millions of followers. I'm have no idea who you are. followers. I'm have no idea who you are. followers. I'm have no idea who you are. And and some of them like I I could name And and some of them like I I could name And and some of them like I I could name somebody right now. They are a somebody right now. They are a somebody right now. They are a $50,000 a keynote speaker. They have $50,000 a keynote speaker. They have $50,000 a keynote speaker. They have 3,000 followers on 3,000 followers on 3,000 followers on Instagram and they're they're Instagram and they're they're Instagram and they're they're remarkable. It's just like they're just remarkable. It's just like they're just remarkable. It's just like they're just out there just kind of doing their job. out there just kind of doing their job. out there just kind of doing their job. And so And so And so if if she was a if if she was a if if she was a pastor, she'd have a million followers. pastor, she'd have a million followers. pastor, she'd have a million followers. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, there's a lesson. but because she's Oh, there's a lesson. but because she's Oh, there's a lesson. but because she's just a normal human being that just does just a normal human being that just does just a normal human being that just does great work in corporate America, it's great work in corporate America, it's great work in corporate America, it's like there's there's not a there's not like there's there's not a there's not like there's there's not a there's not as much of a hero fame complex that as much of a hero fame complex that as much of a hero fame complex that comes with that. And so so I I think comes with that. And so so I I think comes with that. And so so I I think that while I've had a lot of success that while I've had a lot of success that while I've had a lot of success uh in the corporate space and in the uh in the corporate space and in the uh in the corporate space and in the church space, um I think I've I've been church space, um I think I've I've been church space, um I think I've I've been in in the right spaces. Honestly, I'm in in the right spaces. Honestly, I'm in in the right spaces. Honestly, I'm grateful for an Eaglebrook. Yeah. You grateful for an Eaglebrook. Yeah. You grateful for an Eaglebrook. Yeah. You know, it's like you you get to speak to know, it's like you you get to speak to know, it's like you you get to speak to 30,000 people and it's like not a big 30,000 people and it's like not a big 30,000 people and it's like not a big deal. Yeah. It's like you really are deal. Yeah. It's like you really are deal. Yeah. It's like you really are showing up to serve people as best as showing up to serve people as best as showing up to serve people as best as you possibly can. And uh they they've you possibly can. And uh they they've you possibly can. And uh they they've only even grown their social media only even grown their social media only even grown their social media because I got them on.

because I got them on. because I got them on. They're like, "We probably need to be They're like, "We probably need to be They're like, "We probably need to be doing a little bit more, but not like doing a little bit more, but not like doing a little bit more, but not like too much." and but the the way they just too much." and but the the way they just too much." and but the the way they just carry themselves, the humility has has carry themselves, the humility has has carry themselves, the humility has has definitely a lot of humility in that definitely a lot of humility in that definitely a lot of humility in that team and in their man. I'm just I'm team and in their man. I'm just I'm team and in their man. I'm just I'm grateful that I've been connected with grateful that I've been connected with grateful that I've been connected with those kinds of churches where um it those kinds of churches where um it those kinds of churches where um it hasn't been um an ego pump or anything hasn't been um an ego pump or anything hasn't been um an ego pump or anything of that nature and and very high of that nature and and very high of that nature and and very high character people that that I'm around. character people that that I'm around. character people that that I'm around. And I would And I would And I would say, yeah, I I would say, yeah, I I would say, yeah, I I would say, for example, Eaglebrook doesn't say, for example, Eaglebrook doesn't say, for example, Eaglebrook doesn't have a green have a green have a green room. It doesn't exist. Nice. I I would room. It doesn't exist. Nice. I I would room. It doesn't exist. Nice. I I would say most of the churches I speak at say most of the churches I speak at say most of the churches I speak at don't have a green room. They have a don't have a green room. They have a don't have a green room. They have a room where the worship team sits before room where the worship team sits before room where the worship team sits before they go lead worship. But that's the they go lead worship. But that's the they go lead worship. But that's the room you would go in. Like you don't room you would go in. Like you don't room you would go in. Like you don't have a private place like this like cool have a private place like this like cool have a private place like this like cool club thing. Yeah. club thing. Yeah. club thing. Yeah. So I think I've been protected to be So I think I've been protected to be So I think I've been protected to be honest in a sense in in that way. And um honest in a sense in in that way. And um honest in a sense in in that way. And um and I've also got an incredible family.

and I've also got an incredible family. and I've also got an incredible family. My kids and uh beautiful wife uh My kids and uh beautiful wife uh My kids and uh beautiful wife uh definitely just keep me grounded and definitely just keep me grounded and definitely just keep me grounded and help me remember man what what's help me remember man what what's help me remember man what what's actually most important in this life. actually most important in this life. actually most important in this life. And so, so I I think I have been I've And so, so I I think I have been I've And so, so I I think I have been I've been blessed with the surroundings and been blessed with the surroundings and been blessed with the surroundings and the right clients that have allowed me the right clients that have allowed me the right clients that have allowed me to uh to stay humble, I would say. Cuz I to uh to stay humble, I would say. Cuz I to uh to stay humble, I would say. Cuz I mean, you're you're one completely mean, you're you're one completely mean, you're you're one completely different gig from thinking you're different gig from thinking you're different gig from thinking you're somebody. And um fortunately enough, somebody. And um fortunately enough, somebody. And um fortunately enough, I've been able to be a part of a lot of I've been able to be a part of a lot of I've been able to be a part of a lot of Super Bowls that Super Bowls that Super Bowls that like I I don't get too high, too low, like I I don't get too high, too low, like I I don't get too high, too low, but uh grateful for the opportunities but uh grateful for the opportunities but uh grateful for the opportunities that I am given. Well, you do actually that I am given. Well, you do actually that I am given. Well, you do actually write books, too. Your latest one is write books, too. Your latest one is write books, too. Your latest one is called How to Work with Complicated called How to Work with Complicated called How to Work with Complicated People. How many books so far? Uh, this People. How many books so far? Uh, this People. How many books so far? Uh, this is my third official is my third official is my third official published book. I've written a bunch of published book. I've written a bunch of published book. I've written a bunch of other books that uh that we like did other books that uh that we like did other books that uh that we like did just like at my church. But these are just like at my church. But these are just like at my church. But these are like as far as like legit legit legit like as far as like legit legit legit like as far as like legit legit legit legit legit books. Uh this would be this legit legit books. Uh this would be this legit legit books. Uh this would be this would be the third. So, we had Leveling would be the third. So, we had Leveling would be the third. So, we had Leveling Up, which was my previous book, and the Up, which was my previous book, and the Up, which was my previous book, and the one before that was Chasing Failure.

one before that was Chasing Failure. one before that was Chasing Failure. Yeah. Tell me uh tell me the best place Yeah. Tell me uh tell me the best place Yeah. Tell me uh tell me the best place for people to connect with you online for people to connect with you online for people to connect with you online these days. Where are you most active? these days. Where are you most active? these days. Where are you most active? Where can they find you? Yeah, you know, Where can they find you? Yeah, you know, Where can they find you? Yeah, you know, ryanleak.com uh has all things Ryan ryanleak.com uh has all things Ryan ryanleak.com uh has all things Ryan Leak. Uh just revamped my own podcast. Leak. Uh just revamped my own podcast. Leak. Uh just revamped my own podcast. Uh Instagram I'm pretty active on. Uh Instagram I'm pretty active on. Uh Instagram I'm pretty active on. LinkedIn I'm very active on as well. Uh LinkedIn I'm very active on as well. Uh LinkedIn I'm very active on as well. Uh threads, Twitter, a little bit of Tik threads, Twitter, a little bit of Tik threads, Twitter, a little bit of Tik Tok, that's a little bit of a different Tok, that's a little bit of a different Tok, that's a little bit of a different audience that we're just now uh audience that we're just now uh audience that we're just now uh beginning to to ask ourselves, is that beginning to to ask ourselves, is that beginning to to ask ourselves, is that the place we want to add the most value? the place we want to add the most value? the place we want to add the most value? We definitely got our content there, but We definitely got our content there, but We definitely got our content there, but I don't think it's the right content. I don't think it's the right content. I don't think it's the right content. Yeah, we're trying to figure out for Yeah, we're trying to figure out for Yeah, we're trying to figure out for another day. So, um, challenge. But another day. So, um, challenge. But another day. So, um, challenge. But yeah, yeah, yeah, ryanleak.com, um, Instagram, uh, those ryanleak.com, um, Instagram, uh, those ryanleak.com, um, Instagram, uh, those are all of the places that that you can are all of the places that that you can are all of the places that that you can find me. Ryan, I feel like this has been find me. Ryan, I feel like this has been find me. Ryan, I feel like this has been a master class. I want to thank you so a master class. I want to thank you so a master class. I want to thank you so much. I barely touched any of the much. I barely touched any of the much. I barely touched any of the questions I sent you. That's, uh, been a questions I sent you. That's, uh, been a questions I sent you. That's, uh, been a very good sign. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, very good sign. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, very good sign. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, that that's great. Maybe we come back in that that's great. Maybe we come back in that that's great. Maybe we come back in a couple months and get get to those a couple months and get get to those a couple months and get get to those questions. They're really great questions. They're really great questions. They're really great questions, too. So, thank you, Ryan. I questions, too. So, thank you, Ryan. I questions, too. So, thank you, Ryan. I so appreciate it. My pleasure.