Speaking

As a leading expert in workplace health and dysfunction, Brandon Smith is a highly sought after speaker who combines wit, humor, research and practical steps to help audiences overcome some of the biggest challenges facing workplaces today. Brandon can discuss, among other topics, overcoming dysfunction at work, building productive relationships, effective leadership communication, creating strategic corporate cultures, managing emotions at work and finding personal fulfillment at and through work.  Brandon is available as a keynote speaker, or as a facilitator of your organization’s next educational event. All materials can be tailored to the specific needs of your group. For information on Brandon’s rates and availability, please contact brandon[at]theworkplacetherapist.com.

Speaking Topics

Leading People and Organizations

Do you know the signs of a corporate coronary? Diagnosing the health of your team and organization – Just like a heart attack, the signs of a corporate coronary can start out small. You lose a key team member. A long-time customer jumps to a competitor. Your organization begins to grow faster than you expected. Your team has been running “hard” and “lean” for what seems like an eternity. But if overlooked and untreated, the net effect of many of these warning signs could be catastrophic. In this session, Brandon discusses the warning signs and the steps that any organization can take to maintain good “health” regardless of the pressures it might face.

Other topics include:

  • Is our culture the problem? Identifying and managing the right culture for your organization
  • Got nothing more to give? As the leader, keeping yourself and your team motivated

Managing Professional Relationships

Avoiding the tough conversations? Making difficult conversations easy – Arguably, the least favorite part of anyone’s job is the tough uncomfortable conversation. Perhaps you need to confront the co-worker that is stabbing you in the back. Or maybe you need to approach your boss because she won’t give you the resources or support you need. And then there is the challenge of reprimanding the employee that consistently under-delivers. In this session, Brandon will not only discuss ways to make these conversations easier, but also the best approaches to difficult conversations that yield the highest probability of positive results.

Other topics include:

  • If only they would listen… How to influence without power
  • When the honeymoon is over. What you can do to manage business partnerships and professional relationships when things take a turn for the worse

Managing Myself – Personal /Professional Growth

Are you recognized as a high potential? Learning how “rising stars” achieve results and manage perceptions effectively in order to accelerate their career paths – As one CEO explained, “One can be seen as a high performer and not be seen as a high potential.” Is that you? In this session, Brandon discusses not only what it takes to separate oneself as a high potential, but also the specific subtleties that high potentials do in order to get themselves noticed. Ultimately, getting recognized as a high potential is only half the battle. The final challenge for all high potentials is staying on the path and avoiding the most common derailers. With some intentionality, focus and commitment, you too could accelerate your climb to the top.

Other topics include:

  • Off balance? Managing work / life pressures strategically
  • Why did I get into this business in the first place? Rediscovering meaning in what you do