Your Meetings Don't Work

Woman stressed at desk with laptop, swirls and red face graphic. Burnout.

More Trending Topics

Discover the latest must-know insights and elevate your goals

Woman giving a presentation to an audience.

When You Say Yes to Growth

Stressed Black man with headset and laptop, holding glasses. Remote work fatigue.

Be More Than a Talking Head

Close-up of a frayed, broken rope. Concept of breaking point, tension, or conflict.

Is AI Fracturing Your Credibility?

Stressed woman at desk with laptop, eyes covered

The Cost of Disconnected Employees

Woman looking in mirror with confused expression. Pointing at herself.

The Cost of Poor Executive Presence

Smiling businessman in office, arms crossed. Professional in suit, looking at the camera.

You Are NOT Born With Executive Presence

Data flowing from a circuit board, representing information technology and internet.

Technology Moves Fast. Connection Moves People

Confident man stands still surrounded by blurred people. Leadership concept.

Executive Presence Shows Up When You Think No One Is Watching

Woman giving a presentation about influence and leadership with "Influence Elevated" on screen

Resolutions are out. More is in.

Businesswoman working on laptop in modern office

Do People Respect You—Or Just Your Title?

Executive presence accounts for over one-quarter of what determines if you get the next promotion.

Concert crowd recording performance with phone. Stage lights in background.

You're Being Watched

It doesn't take a concert or a jumbotron to ruin your reputation.

Businesswoman on phone at conference. Networking, meetings, communication.

You're Always Under Surveillance

What do people say about you when you leave the room?

Woman recording a video on her smartphone, smiling. Selfie video creation.

It's Common Sense

You will never outperform your ability to communicate. If you’re not consistently practicing, you’re consistently slipping.

Tired man working on laptop. Bored at desk

STOP Death by PowerPoint

PowerPoint remains a staple in conveying information despite the growing discussion around its effectiveness in meetings.

Woman gesturing "shush" with finger to lips. Secret or silence concept.

Master Brevity: Less is More

Striving for brevity and minimizing filler words can enhance clarity, credibility, and engagement in both personal and professional interactions.

Car side mirror view of a truck on the highway under a blue sky.

Credibility Blind Spots

More than 70% of managers believe they have a great relationship with workers, yet only 58% of employees agree.

Business meeting with diverse team in a modern office, woman leading.

Achieve Executive Presence

Evidence suggests that 89% of leaders believe executive presence helps you get ahead.

Happy businesswoman giving thumbs up, smiling.

One Step for Success

Increase your chances for success by 65% with an accountability partner.

Office coworkers gossiping behind a man working on his laptop.

Your Reputation Preceds You

21% of workplace conversations are gossip-related - The Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Woman looking at her phone at a cafe table with a man, outdoors.

One Skill Builds Trust

Synchronize brain activity between two people, fostering empathy and deeper social connections with eye connection. - Psychology Today

Asian man with glasses holding finger to lips, requesting silence.

Say More. Speak Less.

35 million PowerPoint presentations are given daily by 500 million users worldwide.

Woman and man greeting with elbow bumps outdoors, smiling

Make It Work

You are 65% likely to complete a goal if you tell someone else you're committing to doing it.

Happy police officers giving a high five, teamwork

The Right Fit

Having a specific accountability partner increases your success rate to 95%.

Man getting punched in the face with a boxing glove. Overwhelmed office worker.

When Feedback Hurts

Feedback is a compass that guides your professional growth.

Woman deadlifting barbell in gym. Fitness workout, strength training.

Embracing Discomfort

Why do 96% of personal development efforts completely fail?

Runner sprinting with motion blur effect against a black background. Athlete in speed.

Keep the Momentum

Smiling woman giving a presentation with laptop at podium.

Captivate with Stories

Stories show a 20% increased likelihood listeners will remember what you say.

Woman meditating at work, surrounded by colleagues throwing papers. Workplace stress.

Ditch Meeting Madness

The way we conduct meetings has changed because the way we work has changed.

Public speaker on stage giving a presentation

Clear Calls to Action

Presenting strong calls to action with your team and customers only matters if they take action on it.

Father teaching son to drive. Pointing and guidance. Driving lesson.

Discipline Creates Freedom

Great leaders have at least one common denominator: personal discipline.

Bored woman in a meeting, resting her head on her hand.

Identify The Why

If you want listeners to willingly act on what you say, begin with their "why" in mind.

Woman checking watch, time management, office

Actions Speak Louder

Trust is earned through consistency. Employees want leaders who share consistent beliefs and demonstrate consistent behaviors.

Two men smiling at a laptop, co-working.

Goals Require Accountability

Accountability forces us to eliminate excuses and commit to following through.

Woman working from home with child making a face. Remote work challenges.

Technical Blunders Cost

92% of remote workers admit to multitasking while attending virtual meetings.

Man in suit holding a white mask. Deception concept.

Stop Talking. Start Acting.

Your credibility and influence require aligning your words to your actions.

Woman relaxing at home playing mobile game, dog watching

Hybrid Team Intentionality

49% of hybrid employee leaders “struggle to trust their employees to do their best work" and consistently deliver.

Man and woman in a serious conversation

Show Up Consistently

Trust requires how you show up in person matches who you portray yourself to be virtually.

Starbucks drive-thru sign with direction arrow

Earn Trust with Consistency

When people never know what to expect with you, how can they possibly trust you?

Business team in a video conference meeting

Successful Hybrid Meetings

Without clear guidelines, hybrid meetings are doomed to fail.

Business meeting with sales reports on screen and laptop.

Interact with Visual Aids

Stop competing with visual aids for your listeners' attention. Be the star of your own show.

Woman filming with phone on tripod

Impact & Influence Listeners

"Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone." - Jennifer Aaker, Stanford University

Concerned Black woman working on laptop, stressed face

Overcome Overwhelm

When you suffer from burnout, others sense the lack of authenticity and lose trust in your brand.

Man on a video call, smiling and gesturing at laptop

Influence Remote Employees

Leaders must work to improve their ability to influence employees without in-person interactions.

Two doctors review patient data on a laptop in office

Be Memorable

People are 65% more likely to meet a goal after committing to another person.

Diverse team collaborating on a project with a laptop

Impact with Brevity

Using brevity in conversations can increase comprehension and retention rates by up to 50%.

Man in suit jacket and underwear in a chaotic office setting

Break Bad Hybrid Habits

In January 2022, 70% of professionals worldwide worked remotely at least one day per week.

People on a video call in office, smiling and waving. Remote work.

Leading Hybrid Teams

As of January 2022, around 83% of employers worldwide were planning to introduce hybrid work models, indicating a significant shift towards this approach.

Business team meeting, using video call and analyzing financial reports

Crush Hybrid Meetings

Two-thirds of all U.S. businesses maintains a degree of hybrid workplace flexibility.

Man on video call, relaxing on couch with laptop

Zoom Fatigue is Real

As estimated 11 million meetings are held every day in the United States.

Person praying with hands clasped in sunlight, close-up

20 Leadership Lessons

20 Leadership Lessons from 20 Years in Business

Confident businesswoman in a blazer, standing in front of office building.

Managing Your Personal Brand

To differentiate your value and what you bring to the table, you need more than a good reputation. You need an outstanding personal brand.

Businesswoman in meeting, focused on discussion

Influence with Active Listening

Challenge your assumptions and periodically ask questions that promote discovery and insight.

Customer satisfaction survey with faces on keyboard keys.

Feedback: Not a Four-Letter Word

96% of employees say getting regular feedback is a good thing.

Skydiving formation with people holding hands. Aerial view.

Earn Trust and Influence

58% of employees would trust a stranger more than their boss to deliver on a commitment made

Close-up of a blue eye with graphic overlay. Concept of vision.

The 7 Do’s and Don’ts to Building Trust

Eye connection is required for more than 70 percent on the conversation in order for an emotional connection to be made.

Green and black ball on numbered circles game board

Make Your Words Stick

Golf ball being putted with a club on green

Practice Make Habits Stick

43% of everyday actions are enacted habitually while thinking about something else.

Business presentation in modern office setting with data on screen.

Host Hybrid Meetings Like a Pro

Professionals report that 71% of meetings attended are unproductive and inefficient.

Man in black suit adjusting cufflink, business professional

Demonstrate Executive Presence

Commandi attention and influence others to take action, even when under pressure.

Basketball player silhouette dunking with a red hue, dramatic lighting

Improve Your Game

"Achieving true expertise in any skill is simply a matter of practicing, albeit in the correct way, for at least 10 000 hours." - Malcolm Gladwell

Woman in video call, smiling and gesturing at laptop

Hybrid Workplace Influence

Three ways to grow your influence by showing up consistently in an ever-changing hybrid workplace.

Mannequin in a suit with emotion masks. Concept of hidden feelings and masks.

Think Before You Act!

Hypocritical actions are reputation killers, yet they fail to practice what they preach.

Business colleagues in discussion at office desk with laptop and charts

Coaching Sales Professionals

Sales teams that invest in regular training outperform others by as much as 20% in revenue growth

Woman in video conference at office using laptop

The Cost of Zoom Fatigue

69% of employees working from home during the pandemic experienced symptoms of burnout, with video conferencing being a key factor.

Red glass shards abstract background

10 Scary Zoom Habits to Stop by Halloween

71% of workers admit to multitasking during virtual meetings, such as checking emails, social media, or doing other work.

Office coworkers gossiping behind colleague at a laptop.

Consistently Earn Influence

50% of employees say they don’t trust their leaders to follow through on commitments.

Man in a business suit on a video conference call with colleagues on laptop screen

Turn On Cameras to Turn Up Influence

53% of employees feel that having cameras on increases accountability and professionalism in virtual meetings.

Black man talking on smartphone, using voice assistant

Invest in Your Development

Showing up consistently – Monday to Monday®—means investing in your level of influence every time you interact.

Businesswoman raises hand in a meeting

Want the Sale? Ask for It!

Salespeople who directly ask for the business are 50% more likely to close the deal compared to those who don’t.

Surreal image: Person holding a mirror reflecting sky, no face

4 Actions to Follow Through

67% of employees say their trust in leadership diminishes when leaders fail to follow through on commitments - Edelman Trust Barometer

Personal trainer discussing workout plan with client at gym. Fitness goals and guidance.

Development Accountability

Establishing a specific accountability appointment with someone increases your liklihood of achieving goals by 95%.

Stages of a paper airplane launch, from crumpled to flying. Concept of growth and progress.

Adapt in 2 Minutes

Team collaborating around laptop. Business meeting.

30-Day Virtual Challenge

Investing in continuous professional development can earn you up to 25% more over their lifetime compared to those who don't. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Excited businesswoman celebrating success at her desk with laptop. Achievement and success concept.

Condition Yourself to Win

Happy team members on a video call in a modern office, waving at the screen

Long Meetings = Zoom Fatigue

65% of workers report experiencing fatigue from excessive virtual meetings. - Robert Half Survey

Couple shaking hands with advisor. Financial planning meeting.

Brevity in Sales

Probably the biggest, or one of the biggest "a-ha," was the brevity and being in sales. We lack the brevity.

Teenager on a video call with a teacher on a laptop

Influencing Through a Tile

Engage listeners in a virtual enviornment. Maximize energy and connect to make a big impact on your small tile.

Woman on video call, taking notes. Remote meeting, home office.

Presence In Virtual Settings

To ensure you have consistent influence now more than ever, we need to be more self-aware of our virtual presence.

Woman on a video call, smiling and gesturing at laptop.

Virtual Distractions

Hand arranging yellow blocks with arrows, forming a recycling or process loop.

Consistency On Camera

When you’re consistent, you eliminate doubt in your listener’s mind. Consistency equals authenticity, which equals trust.

Diverse group of people on a video call waving hello.

Influence Through Video

80% of workers rely on video conferencing platforms for one-to-one meetings.

Man signing digital contract on laptop. Business and legal agreement concept.

Commit To Your Goal

When you commit to the action steps, you're ready to identify what you're willing to do to ensure that your influence improves every 30 days.

Man in suit jacket and underwear in a home office, shocked expression

Mistakes that Cost Credibility

62% of employees believe leaders prioritize organizational goals over commitments to employees, undermining trust. (HBR)

Business handshake, deal, partnership, collaboration

5 Ways to Retain Your Customer’s Business

Thoughtful businesswoman contemplating in office setting. Portrait of a woman with a pensive expression.

3 Words Influential Leaders Avoid

Two women in a business meeting at a table, discussing documents and looking at a laptop.

Transition from Peer to Boss

Transition from peer to boss while earning trust, maintaining relationships and creating momentum in the workplace.

Thoughtful businesswoman contemplating in office setting. Portrait of a woman with a pensive expression.

Communication Mistakes

Silhouette of a person with hands up against an orange wall in a room. Abstract surreal art.

Overcoming your Resistance to Goals

If you want to overcome your resistance to goals, finding an accountability partner is crucial.

3 Steps to success: Setting a goal, creating a plan, and taking action.

4 Steps to Ensure Follow Through

Understanding follow-through is essential to leaders. Discover how it builds trust and influences your team positively.

Stressed office workers, overwhelmed with work and deadlines

Bad Behaviors Threatening Your Influence

Rotting apple reflecting perfect apple in mirror. Concept of aging.

4 Steps to Avoid the Superficial Apology

Smiling woman giving thumbs up

How To's For Communicating Confidence

Collection of vintage microphones on wooden surface against blue background.

3 Best Practices For Projecting Your Voice To Be Heard

Put Down the Phone and Start Influencing

Team meeting around a laptop

Five Tactics for Retaining Top Talent and Preventing Employee Turnover

Business people shaking hands to close a deal.

Four Steps Sales Leaders Can Take to Influence Sales Team Success

Video conference on laptop screen with multiple participants, online meeting

Using Webcam Technology to Increase Your Influence

Chalkboard with "Trust" at the center, surrounded by associated words: integrity, sincerity, commitment, etc.

3 Actions for Leaders to Earn Employee Trust

Silhouette of a person with hands up against an orange wall in a room. Abstract surreal art.

3 Action Steps to Push Through Your Own Resistance

Red figure among wooden figures, leadership concept

Great Practice. Great Outcomes.

Two women smiling and working together at a laptop in an office.

4 Steps to Adapting to Your Listeners Why

Woman stressed at desk, overwhelmed by work and mental fatigue. Brain fog illustration.

4 Steps to Increase Your Self-Awareness 

Business handshake, deal, agreement, success

3 Steps to Master the Art of Selling

Hand holding a book with colorful pages and paper fragments. Concept of knowledge or education.

3 Steps to Master Storytelling

Wooden blocks spelling LEARN. Education, listening and understanding concept

Mindful Listening

Sending emails on laptop. Digital email marketing concept with floating message icons.

Mastering the Art of Leadership Communication

Social media apps on a phone screen: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, etc.

3 Steps to Building Your Influence on Social Media

Person climbing stairs. Concept of progress and upward movement.

3 Consistent Steps TRUE Leaders Take Who Have Influence

Person climbing stairs. Concept of progress and upward movement.

3 Steps to Actively Listen to Increase Your Influence

Man holding tablet, hand raised in front of him.

Interruption - Whose Fault Is It?

Are your Listeners Guessing How Influential You Are?

Be Kind, Not Weak

4 Critical Steps to Increase Influence During Virtual Conversations

You're Losing the Battle for Attention

4 Steps for Adapting Your Message on the Fly

S.P.A.R.K. Listener Attention

4 Signs You’re Not as Influential as You Think

Rock Your Closings

Rock Your Opening

91% of people pay attention during the first 15 minutes of a meeting, then you lose them.

Team meeting around a laptop

Meeting Best Practices - 8 Steps You Can Take Immediately To Have Influence

Influence Through Discipline

Stop Wasting Time in Meetings

Research shows that 47% of employees consider meetings to be the biggest waste of time at work.

The Impact of Brevity

Woman looking stressed in a business meeting. Office work environment.

WAIT, Why Am I Talking?

Stop and ask yourself: "Why am I talking?"

4 Critical Steps to Enhancing Your Influence During All Virtual Conversations

Don’t Chance Your Reputation

Common Virtual Excuses

Control Your PowerPoint

6 Steps to Meaningful Feedback

Four Steps to Consistency

Adaptability – Focus Outward Rather Than Inward

Are You Consistent Monday to Monday?

What does your reputation say about you?

Accountability Partners

Self Awareness - What You May Not Know

Get Accountability This Year

Keep Your Reputation Intact During the Holidays by Avoiding These 4 Actions

Be Humble and Kind - 3 Daily Actions to Increase Influence

Myth versus Reality - 3 Actions to Identify How Influential You Are

The Opposite of Influence – Unbecoming Conduct

Every Moment Matters - Taking Your Conversations to the Next Level

Trust Seals the Deal - 3 Actions You Can Take Immediately

You May Not Be as Influential as You Think You Are If…

4 Steps to Avoid Costing Your Company Money!

Deliberate Practice: 4 Ways to Immediately Change Behaviors

Influence Beyond the Interaction

Selling or Distracting - Five Biggest Sales Presentation Tips

Consistency

3 Steps to Prepare and Arrive on Time

It’s Time to Act Consistently

5 Bulletproof Ways to Rock Your Opening

You May Not Be as Influential as You Think You Are If…

A Presentation is an Extension of a Conversation

The Top 10 Lies We Tell Ourselves About Our Influence

What Will You Do Differently? 3 Action Steps to Be More Influential this year.

5 Ways to Bomb During Q&A

Identifying Your Blind Spots! 1 Action Step This Week

4 Phrases That Will Destroy Your Influence

5 Leadership Secrets from CEOs

4 Bad Habits That Will Jeopardize Your Influence

Feedback or Fluff? 7 Feedback Wins

Lack Of Consistency = Lack Of Trust

Four Actions You Can Take Today To Avoid Miscommunication

Make Mistakes

6 Steps to Creating Visual Aids That Have Impact

Adapt Your Message

Trust Your Competence

Words that Influence

Respond When Time Is Short

Hang Up the Email. Pick Up the Phone

Pause to Save Time

Impact Lacks Without Consistency

INFLUENCE
ELEVATED

Overcome common influence myths that sabotage you and your team's success.

Learn how to authentically connect, create a lasting impression and motivate action with every interaction.

Influence books by Stacey Hanke: "Influence Redefined" and "Influence Elevated"

INFLUENCE
REDEFINED

The way we communicate has changed because the way we work has changed.

Learn how to effectively communicate and be heard above the noise in a virtual, in-person and hybrid workplace.

DOWNLOAD INFLUENCE ELEVATED

Download chapter one FREE and maximize your connections, Monday to Monday.®

© 2025 Stacey Hanke Inc. All rights reserved.

INFLUENCE
ELEVATED

Overcome common influence myths that sabotage you and your team's success.

Learn how to authentically connect, create a lasting impression and motivate action with every interaction.

Influence books by Stacey Hanke: "Influence Redefined" and "Influence Elevated"

INFLUENCE
REDEFINED

The way we communicate has changed because the way we work has changed.

Learn how to effectively communicate and be heard above the noise in a virtual, in-person and hybrid workplace.

DOWNLOAD INFLUENCE ELEVATED

Download chapter one FREE and maximize your connections, Monday to Monday.®

© 2025 Stacey Hanke Inc. All rights reserved.

INFLUENCE
ELEVATED

Overcome common influence myths that sabotage you and your team's success.

Learn how to authentically connect, create a lasting impression and motivate action with every interaction.

Influence books by Stacey Hanke: "Influence Redefined" and "Influence Elevated"

INFLUENCE
REDEFINED

The way we communicate has changed because the way we work has changed.

Learn how to effectively communicate and be heard above the noise in a virtual, in-person and hybrid workplace.

DOWNLOAD INFLUENCE ELEVATED

Download chapter one FREE and maximize your connections, Monday to Monday.®

© 2025 Stacey Hanke Inc. All rights reserved.