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Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Hi there, welcome to the best communication show, I’m your host, Bill Lampton the biz communication guy bringing you communication tips and strategies that will boost your business. And I don’t do this on my own, I do it with a highly qualified guest and coming to us today from Columbia, Missouri, is Alex Demczak. He’s a former Southeastern Conference quarterback for the Missouri tigers, and he graduated from the University of Missouri, with a degree in communication and a minor in business quite a good combination there. Alex is a sought after keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and author who challenges businesses, schools and teams to maximize their impact. Alex is the author of three books. He’s the co founder of streamline books, a company that helps individuals become authors. And there’s more. He is also the founder of speakers school, a company that helps individuals become keynote speakers. Additionally, Alex is the host of three podcasts, where he interviews top leaders, authors and speakers. Alex’s mission is to help people increase their performance, enhance their leadership, and maximize their potential. Some of his past clients include the Cincinnati Reds, US Space Force, Edward Jones, USI, insurance, and there are many others. When Alex isn’t speaking, he is spending time with his wife, Erin, and their children in Columbia, Missouri. And I know that you will join me now in welcoming Alex to the biz communication show. Hello, Alex. Bill.
Alex Demczak
Thanks for having me. It’s an honor to be here. I’ve been hearing amazing things about your show. So it’s a I feel like it’s a hard it’s a high bar for me to sit here with all the guests you’ve had and all the content you’ve added. So it’s an honor to be here. Well,
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
I appreciate that compliment. And I return it tenfold because you have accomplished so much both as an athlete and as a speaker. And as a consultant. I mentioned that you graduated from University of Missouri with degree majors and business and communication. Many times when we look back over our college or university curriculum, we are able to pinpoint one or two courses, which were so meaningful for us that they have an impact on the rest of our lives and our careers. What what might be one or two courses that you remember very favorably and very beneficially. Now,
Alex Demczak
Bill, are you talking about the classes that I attended? Or? I’m kidding?
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
I’m assuming you attended.
Alex Demczak
No, I’m kidding. No, Mizzou was a great, I loved it. And actually, it’s the number one journalism school in the country. And so it’s a lot of my friends are now working at big networks doing journalism. But I went the route of communication, and then minor in business, like you said, but it was actually a class my senior year, that had the biggest impact on my life, and I think is still making waves. Today for me. And my professors name was Dr. Maza. And remember it to this day, and it was a public speaking class. And I remember being in that class. And there was 27 of us in the class. So it was a smaller, intimate setting. And we we got this assignment, where Dr. Maza, he said, Hey, by next Friday, you have to create a essentially like a made up business, and then present to the class about it. And he’s like, whoever goes first gets like an automatic, at least 80% Like I like raised my hand. I’m like, you know, I’m not smart enough to whatever. So I’m like, I’m gonna take the easy, you know, I’m not gonna leave it up to chance. So I took, you know, I was first and I’m like, You know what, I need to get creative with this assignment. And so what I did was, there was, you know, with all the other 26 students in the class, I’m like, You know what, I’m gonna get them involved in this somehow. And so the day shows up to the, you know, the presentation, it’s a day where I’m presenting. And what I did is I had a PowerPoint and all 26 people without me asking them, you know, I somehow included like a picture from them, like maybe a semi embarrassing picture from them in high school in my slideshow so disability Imagine like, you know, someone shows up to this class, maybe lay they walk in or had a late night or whatever, and they show up to this class in the morning, all of a sudden, I start presenting this fake business. And I’m like, my director of operations is Bill and like, I put up a picture of you from high school, and you like, you know, and so it was just like a really fun like, in the press was like, I’ve never seen anyone do this. And I think it was in that moment that I realized, well, for one, everyone else in the class, besides one other person was like, dreading the class, like they had to take it for the major. And they were just like, I do not want to do this, I do not want to share. And it was in that moment where I was like, in a weird way, I enjoyed this. And why did I enjoy that? And I think that’s what I didn’t even know, public speaking was an industry. I thought it was just something you did, you know, and but now, years later, I can look back to that moment and say, Wow, that was fun. And I still get to have that kind of fun today when I speak. And I think, to answer your question that was by far the most impactful class semester and project I had to do in school, because it forced me to get out of my comfort zone and actually pursue this thing. And I had no idea that I’d be doing, speaking full time in my future. And so it’s just crazy how things work out like that. I
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
commend you for several items there. One is your creativity. You didn’t just get up and give a spiel, but you made it exceptionally interesting. And secondly, I certainly commend you for engaging the audience. I know as a professional speaker, you do that. And many times, Alex, when I was a keynote speaker for an occasion, I would make sure that the chairman of the organization would give me the names of four or five people that I can email that I could call that I can interview ahead of time. And one of the factors that I did it first, I would quote them, and then it finally dawned on me. Hey, you know, is a long time ago, comedian Jimmy Durante said everybody likes to get in on the axe, I would say to them, after interviewing them. Well, you know, what you’ve said is good. And I guess I could say it in my words, but it’d be so much better if if I call on you during the presentation. This did a couple of things that made them more a part of it. And of course, you and I know, the toughest thing, or the biggest challenge we have been trying to get an audience involved is to get that first person to, to participate. So I already had three or four people that would participate. I am quite sure that you got a high grade bar for that presentation. Right?
Alex Demczak
Well, Bill, all I know is I passed the class, so I don’t I don’t know what it was. But no, it was it was a great, great class. And I mean, I I’m, I’m literally taking note of that for after this podcast, what you just said, that’s so important of like, everyone wants to be part of the act. And that is good, man. So thank you for sharing that with me. And I have to say, Bill, I don’t know if you get this a lot. But does anyone ever tell you that you and Zig Ziglar sound similar?
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
You mean before after his death? Well,
Alex Demczak
you know, take whatever you wanted to but I think man I just I you know as a high school or college student even now I occasionally listen to his his tapes or his you know, whatever platforms he’s on. And it’s like, and even his son Thomas, they gotta listen to his podcast every once in a while. And I don’t know, man, you I guess that’s why you have a communication podcast because you’re a good communicator. But when you when you talked about that I was like is my talk was Zig right now. But
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
I got when I was a member of the National Speakers Association and attending conferences. I got to meet Zig one time and really, we both grew up in Mississippi. I didn’t know him then. But when I met him, I said, Jake, nice to meet you. I’m from Mississippi, too. And then that great drawl of his he said, You just bragging. And I’ve read zigs autobiography. They’re meant many great pieces of advice that, that He has given to speakers. And it’s it’s no surprise that the National Speakers Association has awards named after him and those of us who had an opportunity to to know him personally, I certainly learned something. Well, one more question now would be I often hear as I’m talking with people about sports, and I’m a big sports fan. Every now and then somebody will say to me, you know, well, well, those football players they just are just a bunch of brawny guys. They don’t have any, any brains to operate my status. Smart game, speak to that tell us please what part communication plays how communication among the team and the coach? how important those are and essential for for winning. Oh,
Alex Demczak
it builds everything and you look at some of the top, I think so much of it goes back to coaching, right and so many of the top coaches in America, when it comes to you look at college football or even the NFL or any sport, like the way that coaches are able to connect with their players. Like you look at a guy like Dabo Swinney, the head coach of Clemson, I’ve had the chance to be around him, meet him amazing guy. He’s built an amazing culture. And so much of what they do revolves around communication. I mean, he takes the players out before the season, and they go to a graveyard. And he tells his players like, what, like, this is where we all end up, like, what what do you want your life to look like? And he does things in his program that is so intentional. And I think so often to your point, there are these stigmas, you know, of, you know, athletes or whatever. But there are so many areas of my life, like these core disciplines that I learned as a as a college athlete, in being broken down to them be brought back up to learn to go through the process. I mean, to this day, I mean, I feel like I’m always making sure my phone is silence because our head coach was always no cell phones in team meetings, right. So it’s like, the way that I was communicated to as a coach, even from a young age, I think there’s such an opportunity to communicate to make a positive impact or on the flip side of negative impact. I think of coaches in my life, unfortunately, who missed the boat, who I remember quitting baseball, because I had a coach, who, in my middle school years just was not a great person. And I look back and I have some regret, I probably shouldn’t have quit just because of that. But it comes back to the way he communicated the way he demeaned the players. And I think I think it speaks to almost this stewardship mentality of if you’ve been given a gift or a blessing to communicate, right, are you using that? Are you using that to lift others up or tear others down? And I think you nailed it when you said you know, what is it? What does communication mean in sports, it’s everything and then that’s just talking about the coaches think about the players you know, football in particular, you got 11 guys who are counting on each other and large men are looking to you know, I was a walk on quarterback. I, I tell people you know, when people ask me, oh, what do you play a Mizzou? I said, Well, you know, technically I was actually my position was tailback because when I tried to get playing time on the field, you know, I’d run out in the field trying to get playing time our head coach would say, Son, you get your tail back here right now. So I tell people, I was a tailback. But now I actually play quarterback. Yeah, but you know, it’s like, so much of it rely relies on communication, on building trust. And, and that is ultimately what some of the core of I’m sure your messages but also my message when I go speak to these teams, it’s like coming out of the last few years we’ve come out of are you being intentional, to not just communicate but to communicate to connect. I was just at an event last week, two weeks ago, sorry, at Hobby Lobby. And David Greene, who started Hobby Lobby and amazing guy, he had John Maxwell speak. And I’m sure if you’ve been around Zig Ziglar, you’ve been around John Maxwell. You’ve heard him speak. And he is just amazing. And he just talks about, you know, his new book is called high The High Road, high road leadership. You know, a high road leader is someone who brings people together, you know, and I think so often we forget that in leadership. It’s like, How can I climb up this way? Or how can I get to this accomplishment? But it’s like, are you communicating in a way that other people are not only resonate, but they they can empathize with you, they also want to rally around you and say, Hey, I, you know, a great example, to begin to Zig Ziglar, my one of my mentors and co authors, John Gordon, he met Zig before he passed away and he and John actually had the chance to speak at an event. And he said Zig was in the front row. And he was taking notes when he was in his 80s. And John always talks about that it’s so humbling to be like around a person like that or even you bill. It’s like the way you’re adding value to communicators. It’s like John, John Maxwell said something at this Hobby Lobby event. He said, when you’re able to retire and be done. Like when you get to the point where you’re you’re able to do that is the exact time that you can’t be ready to give it all up and retire and be done. Because his point was just like you’re just getting started, you know, he’s like, I’m 77 years old and I’m, I’m laser focused on what I want to accomplish. So that was a long answer. But I think so much of it just comes back to the communication. There’s a void in the communication. That’s where things fall. apart when there’s a void and there’s misconception and there’s ambiguity and so I think communicating to connect is so, so important.
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Your illustration about Dabo Swinney, you and I both know that in your basic species you speak a speech class and then every speaking instruction since then you’ve heard about the value of visual aids, taking guys to a graveyard. strong visual aid, and I want to add one to it before we take a break here for a minute. And then what I want to add to it is it irql Russell was a longtime, very colourful, assistant coach with the University of Georgia where I where I taught speech communication and irk it.
Alex Demczak
Well, hold on bill, we didn’t we didn’t talk about this. Yeah, you’re a Georgia Bulldog. And I’m moving to Zoo Tiger. Well,
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
I didn’t want to create any friction here. And I’ll say this your your Missouri Tigers have given the Bulldogs some, some strong games in the last few
Alex Demczak
Well, well, you’re kind of say that it’s been strong games, but you guys end up on top, so you don’t have to be so humble about it. So you and I are still friends. That’s right. We’re still friends. But keep keep going.
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Sorry. I mean, well, Eric also called the team together in the locker room. And he had a big burlap bag with him. And they wondered what was in there and Urk Russell, put pulls on a rattlesnake which he has tethered, but it pulls it under a rattlesnake and throws it on the floor and the rattlesnakes and snakes starts hissing all the players duck for cover and that they’re scared to death and hurt looks at them and says I just want you guys to know that what I just showed you is not nearly as deadly as the drugs some of you are using. Wow. Now, is that a great visual aid?
Alex Demczak
That is a mic drop moment, man. That’s incredible. Yes.
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Okay. We will be back in just a second. And we’ll have a couple of minutes to talk about your speaking career. Be right back for that.
Speaker 1
Do you wish you felt confident about giving speeches? Do you want to deal with difficult people constructively? And what about becoming more persuasive and sales? Then keep listening now to Dr. Bill Lampton, he spent 20 years in management, so he knows the communication skills you need for success. I urge you to call the biz communication guide today for a no call. But very valuable. 30 minute discussion about your communication challenges. Call now. 678-316-4300. Again, that’s 678-316-4300.
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Alex, you and I are having so much fun that I know. If you’re willing, you’re going to be a return guest there is so much for us.
Alex Demczak
Hey, if you’ll have them as your Tiger back, I would accept but
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
we’ll do that. Yes. I want to ask you and we have only a couple of minutes now. But tell us please, as a professional speaker, what you try to accomplish with audiences? What’s your, your core message your core mission?
Alex Demczak
That’s a great question. And honestly, you said something earlier that I picked up on that was very key of having everyone be a part of something that if you do a speech without doing that, good luck. You know, I think about I get the chance to speak to a lot of high schoolers, middle schoolers, and the thing that people have to understand when you speak to a group that young what you what essentially you are competing against, you are competing against their cell phones, right? You are competing against YouTube or Tik Tok, or whatever social medias they’re using, like when you show up, you are competing against those things. And so my encouragement to myself at any communicator is, is you you have to bring something that is not just about you. It’s not just about your expertise and your your abilities, but it’s how are you going to move the audience to action? How are you going to move them to action? And so my one of my like I mentioned earlier, John Gordon, he He mentioned something that I’ve always lived by, and he says every good speech has three things it has principle story, an application. And you know, first what is the what is the principle that I want to convey? What is the principle that I want? Like what is a you know, for me in my book, The sale it’s of it’s a fable about integrity. So one of the principles is integrity, builds trust, right? And so that’s, that’s a principle right now a story what’s a story that is is eye catching or fun or funny or like the snake story you just told? It’s like, we love stories. We love stories, right? So story and then The most important is how then does your audience apply it? How do they take those things, and actually, like, do something in their life about it. And I think that’s a focus for me is like, okay, to your point on having, you know, fun things, it’s like, I will bring juggling balls, I will juggle as part of the illustration, I have a flag that I, there’s all these different little things that I use, because I know the average person shows up to an event or a company required event and they’re going, Oh, my goodness, I have to listen to our speaker. And I have to listen to this guy. Exactly. And so they come in with that mentality, you have to be ready, you have to be ready to show up and deliver value. And I think, again, I’m coming off this conference with John Maxwell. And he just said, to earn people’s respect in the marketplace, you have to provide value. And I think that’s so important is like, can you as a communicator, and through your business? And through all the things you’re doing? Can you provide value? And I can already tell you, Bill, like you have already added value to me just in these few minutes. And I’m not just saying that every place you go, I think the question needs to become is, how am I adding value to someone? And so I think when you ask that question, as you speak, and communicate, you’re going to find yourself a much more effective communicator. Because you’re really your your, here’s a good point. Here’s a good thing I want to bring up. People say, Alex, do you get nervous before you speak? And when I first started, I did I was like, you know, I’d be like, Oh, my gosh, am I gonna say the right thing. But everything changed when I realized that it’s not about me, it’s about me serving the audience. And so if I have something, even if it’s just one thing that I have to share, that, that could help one person in the audience, make a change in their life, maybe a mindset, a limiting belief, there’s one thing that happens than me showing up that day is worth it. It’s worth you know, and so I don’t get nervous because now it’s like, okay, now my eyes on the audience, I’m like, Alright, who’s that person that I know needs to hear what I’m about to share. And it just drives me to do more of those. Because I think when that’s your mentality, it changes the way that you the way you speak and communicate.
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Yes, and I’ve often said that there are three things you can concentrate on, you can concentrate on yourself, you can concentrate on your message, you can concentrate on your audience, and one of those is a killer. Don’t do that. Don’t concentrate on yourself. Alex, the time has just zipped on by an old saying Time flies when you’re having fun. This has been not only entertaining, but highly educational. And just keep your calendar handy. Because you’ll get another invite. I know that there are people who have viewed us listen to us on YouTube or on the podcast, who will want your contact information. So please do that.
Alex Demczak
Yes, sir. So Alex speaking.com is my website. And we didn’t really talk about this much. But just to say, I know a lot of communicators want to be able to share their story. And so streamline books is my company where we help people write and publish their book. And so, right my books.com is our website. If anyone’s like, you know what I’ve been wanting to share our story. We would love to help you. Yeah, just create an awesome book that conveys your message and your your impactful story. So yeah, Bill, I really appreciate this platform and just to connect with you, man, hopefully, hopefully, we’ll be seeing each other at a Mizzou Georgia bowl game while bowl game. I don’t know about that, but some kind of game. You know, in the next year or two, we’ll see but hopefully we’ll be seeing each other at a football game here in Colombia or, or your way over and I
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
look forward to that. I look forward to that. Okay, now that you’ve given your contact information, I’m happy to give my my YouTube channel where this video appears is Bill Lampton PhD, and when you go there, be sure you hit the subscribe button. My website since I’m the biz communication guy, my website is biz BZ biz communication guy.com. And then of course, I would love to talk with you about your communication challenges and needs. So give me a call at 678-316-4300. Alex, you’re a terrific guest, you’re a great addition to the communication arena. How would you pull together what we’ve said in 30 seconds? Wow,
Alex Demczak
there’s a lot of a lot of things we’ve covered that are all very important, in my opinion, but I would just say, not only be yourself, but what in your business or your life or with your family. What would it look like as a communicator in the marketplace to say how am I adding value every single day and no one’s perfect? I’m not You’re not no one is but I think if you ask that question, in your communication, how am I adding value how am I serving others? I think you’ll be pretty happy with your your results of communication. And I think even maybe more importantly, other people will be pleased with it because they’ll be positively impacted by the work that you’re doing, by the perspectives that you share. And so, Bill, that’s, that’s takeaway for me. And I think, hopefully, I’ll be seeing you on the other side of the hedges in Athens at some point of the game so that that’s another good takeaway for me so,
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
and we will speak to each other cordially there. Yes. Yeah.
Alex Demczak
Yeah, exactly. So
Bill Lampton Ph.D.
Well, thanks so much to Alex for being with us today. Thanks to my podcast pro producer, Mike Stewart, the Internet audio guy who has been my technical and marketing guru for over 25 years. I thank all of you who joined us on the video and on the podcast, encourage you to be with us again. I’m Bill Lampton, the biz communication guy, thanking you again and looking forward to the next time with you
Transcribed by https://otter.ai Please forgive typos or incorrect grammer
