OPENING KEYNOTE

Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman

WINGMAN LEADERSHIP ^SM - How to Build a Culture of Courage in Business and Life

• How can you instill a climate of ownership in your organization so that every person feels like they are accountable and responsible for its success?


• What tools can you employ to motivate the members of your organization to focus on the mission rather than themselves?


• How can you help create an organization where change and innovation are not met with fear, but embraced with courage and respected as a tool to beat the competition?

The key to building a high powered organization that encourages innovative thinking, loyalty to the mission, effective communication, and a relentless commitment to excellence lies with its leadership. In this high energy, multimedia workshop, Lt. Col. Waldman highlights the difference between managing people, and leading them to be responsible, empowered and confident wingmen! What results is a more productive and efficient organization with superior morale that can rapidly overcome challenges in a competitive marketplace. Waldo discusses proven leadership principals based on his experience as a graduate of the US Air Force Academy, as a seasoned Air Force officer and combat decorated fighter pilot, and experienced businessman. Relentless self-discipline, passion for the mission, dedicated teamwork, and a commitment to excellence are just a few key elements of this engaging and highly interactive seminar.

Following this highly interactive and fun session, audiences will learn peak performance leadership tools based on 4 key concepts:

1. Shared Vision - Each and every wingman in your organization must know exactly what they are fighting for. They must be committed to the mission, and understand exactly how their unique role in the organization is essential to its success.


2. Values Based Culture - Integrity, accountability, mutual respect, and teamwork must serve as the foundation for all relationships between employees, and with partners and clients as well.


3. Effective Communication - Leaders listen aggressively and communicate their vision with passion. They promote open communication and connect with the heart and soul of their wingmen.


4. Train to Win Mindset - Successful leaders command flawless preparation, not flawless execution. They encourage their wingmen to expand their capabilities, and consistently reward high performers who take calculated risks and ‘push the envelope’ in order to grow.

Opening Keynote Speaker Biography:
Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman - The Wingman - is a professional leadership speaker and author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. He teaches organizations how to build trusting, revenue producing relationships with their employees, partners, and customers while sharing his experiences as a combat decorated fighter pilot and businessman.

Waldo overcame massive claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a fighter pilot and believes that the key to building a culture of trust lies with your wingmen - the men and women in your life who help you to overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and achieve success. In business and life, you should never fly solo! The solution to winning when the heat is on lies in the ability of every wingman in your organization, regardless of their role, to support the team and be 100% committed to the mission.

Waldo is a graduate of the U.S Air Force Academy and also holds an MBA with a focus on Organizational Behavior. A Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), his clients include Hewlett Packard, New York Life, Nokia, Home Depot, Aflac, and Johnson & Johnson. Ranked one of the Top 40 under 40 Business Leaders in Georgia, he’s been featured on Fox & Friends, CNN, Investor’s Business Daily, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Business Week.

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CLOSING KEYNOTE

Gilda Bonanno

How will you spend your 28,000 days?

Benefits:

Being challenged to consider how you choose to spend your time . Understanding how to boldly break out of your comfort zone . Avoiding career burnout by recommitting to your career or making a change . Focusing on important priorities in life and work

After this talk, you won't want to spend another thousand of your estimated 28,000 lifespan days complaining and making others around you miserable - and you'll be on your way to making important changes happen so you can live a more inspired life.

Closing Keynote Speaker Biography:
Gilda Bonanno, PMP is a trainer, speaker and coach who helps people improve their presentation and communication skills so they can be more successful. She achieves these results by combining her extensive business experience with a background in improvisational performance and a belief that with the right training and practice, everyone can become a more effective communicator and leader.

Gilda speaks about communication, leadership, motivation and humor to groups ranging from engineers to healthcare professionals to investment bankers and also coaches individuals in public speaking. She has worked with clients throughout North America and in Europe, China and India.

She is a certified Project Management Practitioner (PMP), has a certificate in Process Reengineering and holds an Advanced Business Certificate in Management from the University of Connecticut School of Business. Her expertise in process improvement and project management and her work experience in the pharmaceutical and information technology industries allow her to help clients use their communication and presentation skills to solve business problems.

Gilda is also a member of the World Class Indifference improv comedy team, which performs shows and workshops in New York City and throughout Connecticut. She incorporates improv techniques into her speaking, training and coaching, helping people learn to think on their toes, be creative and develop confidence. She is President-elect of the CT chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA-CT) and Immediate Past President of the Southern CT chapter of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD-SCC).

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