Kevin R. Miller’s Keynotes

View information about Kevin's education keynotes.

In this dynamic presentation, Kevin likens leadership to taking the helm of a ship during turbulent times. A steady hand on the helm provides a clear vision, enrolls others in that vision, then enables individuals and teams to succeed. A great leader also unlocks the power of others by engaging their minds, hearts and passions. This releases the "D.E. Zone" of Discretionary Energy: the power people volunteer from within themselves. Using some great examples from history and his experiences as an Army officer and corporate and civic leader, Kevin will help us understand that leadership is not a mystical power inborn in a few: it comes from the heart, and from a very definable skill-set that all can master. And, since leadership is not a position but is the power of personal influence, it is something we all can apply no matter where we are in our organization. This keynote will open your mind to how you can become a more powerful influence for good in the world.

Every single person is a leader, for leadership is not a position, it is influence, and every single person is constantly affecting the world around them in a positive or negative way. In this keynote, Kevin describes and illustrates the seven things we can choose to "radiate" to others around us, thus changing the culture, the environment and the feelings in our teams, our families and our communities. Each person receives a fun profile tool to analyze what they are currently radiating and make goals to increase and improve their personal leadership power. Illustrated with great visuals and inspiring storeies, this has fast become one of Kevin's most popular keynotes. Lots of useful tools and examples, and interactive discussion between participants, really liven up this popular presentation.

• Leadership is not a position...but something every person constantly radiates by how they influence
• Leadeship and influence is a choice...we each can choose what we want to radiate from us
• We are all a team in this world, networked to other humans, and we each play a critical role
• There are at least seven things we should try to radiate...seven "voices"
• Participants take a written survey that measures how they are radiating each of the seven "voices"
• Everyone sets goals on how they can more positively contribute to the world of work and the world around them

If you want a keynote presentation topic that is popular and engaging to almost anyone, this is it. It has easily become my personal favorite because of the high audience involvement it generates. believe that we can, and indeed must, learn to manage the stress in our lives, and we can once we understand the causes and symptoms of stress. By learning to read our body (biofeedback) and using certain tools and skills, we can manage stress and bring it to levels where it is functional and not dysfunctional.

I have the audience actually practice some of the great tools of stress management, such as deep breathing, imagery and relaxation, and bring actual samples of baroque music, aroma therapy and humor. I also have each participant wear a "bio-dot" which is a simple tool for measuring changes in body temperature caused by stress. It is fun to watch people change the color of their dot right in the presentation as we practice the tools.

Key concepts I present include:

• Understanding and defining stress
• The fight or flight response and physiological reactions to stress
• Participants take three tests to measure their stress levels
• How to use and interpret bio-dots
• The eight stress erasers such as humor, deep breathing, mental imagery and relaxation to
  • reduce stress
  • gain control over the elements causing us stress
  • The use if music, aroma therapy and other tools

Parent, spouse, friend, neighbor, career, community, and the list goes on and on. How can we possibly keep so many roles in balance? Do you ever get that feeling that, despite being as busy as a human can be, that your life should have more meaning than it does? As the pace of living gets faster and faster, these questions are asked more and more often. Living a balanced life is both an art, and a decision.

In this popular presentation I present some key concepts about how we can live richer and more balanced lives. The result can actually be MORE productivity, not less, in all of our roles as we become more effective, not just more efficient. I spice it up with stories of balance/unbalance from my own life and allow participants plenty of time to share ideas with each other in this interactive presentation. I promise a very thought-provoking and potentially life-changing experience.

Key concepts I include are:

• It is possible to become a human-doing rather than a human-being
• What are the symptoms of a balanced and unbalanced life
• Three keys for balancing our lives
• Living in the four dimensions of life as an integrated whole
• Finding sources of more energy and how to conserve our energy
• Learning to say "no" (participants actually practice this)
• Learning to say "yes" to the important things, too!
• Using language that illustrate balance and inner control
• How to prevent others from robbing you of balance
• It’s OK to be gloriously out-of-balance, by CHOICE

Wouldn’t it be great to feel truly "turned on" in your work and be surrounded by associates who are also motivated and excited to bring their best to the job at hand? How do we release the “discretionary effort” of others: that energy they choose to give above and beyond the minimum they have to give? How do we really "turn people on" in the workplace? Is your workplace enhancing or actually preventing motivation?

I believe that all humans have five basic needs: any leader who helps meet these needs can motivate almost anyone. In this interactive presentation, I provide a concrete understanding of motivation along with ideas and tools for motivating and empowering yourself and others through rewards, language, creating and sustaining a unifying vision, and other key skills. Lots of useful tools and examples, and interactive discussion between participants, really liven up this popular presentation.

Key concepts I include are:

• Can you really motivate another person?
• The Five Basic Needs of every human are a key to understanding motivation
• Participants take a written survey that measures their own motivation level at work. Very thought provoking!
• Matching motivators to people
• What about rewards: which are most effective?
• Lots of great ideas on rewards that work
• How to motivate and reward teams, not just individuals

“Didn’t you hear me? What part of ‘no’ didn’t you understand? I just don’t get Jim... is he dense or just not listening? What did I say wrong?”

It seems like almost all problems between people boil down to communication: or the lack of it.

I use the Five Basic Needs of People as a foundation for this highly interactive presentation, believing that if we don’t violate these needs with our communication, we will be much more effective. I provide a concrete understanding of effective communication along with ideas and tools for communicating effectively with others. I liven things up with lots of useful tools and examples from home and office, and interactive discussion between participants. I allow time for pairs of participants to discuss and practice some of the skills, such as the "I message". It is enlivening and fun for all.

Key concepts I include are:

• What is communication and when is it effective
• The Five Basic Needs of People
• The four styles of communication
• Recognizing our own style
• Tools for effective communication
  • The "I message"
  • Limit-setting
  • Anticipating
  • Using consequences
  • Mega-communication
  • Effective listening