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    • Start Here
    • Soft Skills
    • Why Erik
    • Logistics
    • Bow-Tie Insights
  • Start Here
  • Soft Skills
  • Why Erik
  • Logistics
  • Bow-Tie Insights

"Hard Skills stay at work. Soft Skills go everywhere."

 Harvard Business Review 

"...soft skills” Research shows soft skills are foundational to great leadership and set high performers apart from their peers."


U.S. Department of Labor 

"...employers view "soft" skills as even more important to work readiness. These skills include, professionalism, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.


Investopedia

"Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills that allow a person to interact effectively with others."


NAIFA.org

"... soft skills are the building blocks for creating lasting relationships...bridge the gap between your expertise and rapport with clients, prospects, and colleagues!"


Erik Listou

"Hard skills stay at work; soft skills go with you everywhere."

  • Soft skills are your basic Who, What, Where, When, and Why.
  • Soft skills are essential to your success.
  • Soft Skills guide your professional relationships.
  • Soft Skills go with you everywhere. 


Drawing of the 10 Soft Steps to success

Now let's climb the 10 Soft Steps to Success

  • Built to guide and elevate every business to the pinnacle of success.
  • Provide an objective and focused external perspective
  • Enhance Leadership
  • Inspire & Motivate Teams
  • Increase Productivity


Scroll down, study each step, and choose your first step:

Soft Step #1 - START WITH PURPOSE

A picture of Erik and a dog on a presentation slide

- VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS -


"What do you REALLY do"


 Finding your true purpose is a journey, not a destination. Aligning your passions, values, and strengths, 


Erik will guide you to discover and understand your passions, values, and strengths, and how to align them with meaningful activities that contribute to something larger than yourself. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but through introspection, experimentation, and reflection, you can uncover what resonates with you and all those around you.


Learning Outcomes:

  1. Discover a clear vision for your future.
  2. Define your mission to achieve your vision.
  3. Create a positive future for those around you.


Bonus >>> The Secret of the Six-Second Hook - Creating your perfect elevator speech to hook your listeners in only 6 seconds!  

Soft Step #2 - ONLY THREE MONKEYS

The famous three monkeys, one eyes closed, one ears plugged, and one mouth closed

- COMMUNICATION SKILLS -


"Do you remember the story of Three Little Monkeys and their 'see no, hear no, speak no evil'?"


Communication expert Erik Listou will surprise you with their true secret. Learn how to apply their profound message right away. Discover the secrets of analyzing, evaluating, and creating better communication skills and improve how others respond to you. 


Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Discover that you already know their secret.
  2. Learn that sometimes we know more than we think. 
  3. Create your first step to success.

Soft Step #3 - FOLLOW YOUR TEAM

Erik laughing in front of a circus tent and happy children of varying abilities, ethnic backgrounds


-  TEAM BUILDING -


"Remember being young and the excitement of the circus? "


Watch Erik Listou perform a real circus trick to help you understand Erik's "Concept of Expectations". Discover the benefits of analyzing how to inspire and motivate those around you. Create expectations of excitement for yourself and your team. Maybe Erik will share how he performs his amazing circus trick!


Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Understand the importance and value of fun for yourself and those around you.

2. Learn a few new ideas to begin a conversation or a meeting. 


3. Discover how expectations of fun will inspire others to follow.

Soft Step #4 - TALK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE

two camels walking in front of a pyramid

- SETTING GOALS -


 "Learn how goals for tomorrow will guide actions for today "


Setting goals is essential for personal and professional development as it provides direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Erik will help you focus your energy, enhance productivity, and improve decision-making. By creating accountability, you will foster a sense of accomplishment as you follow your vision and mission.


Learning Outcomes:

  1. Learn why it makes sense to start with your vision and mission.
  2. Imagine realistic 10-5-3-1-year goals.
  3. Discover immediate action plans to reach your goals.

Soft Step #5 - SAY WHAT?

- MARKETING -


"How You Bring Gifts All Year Long "


 Yes, you can change the world. You may think your impact to be small, but just wait until you will learn how the ripple effects of what you do will lead to significant and positive change in the world around you and beyond. Erik will help you discover how proper and planned messaging affects the world around you, and beyond.


Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Understand your impact on the world around you.
  2. Create clear messages that will change the world. 
  3. Learn how your messages can bring confidence, and smiles, to yourself and all those around you.

Soft Step #6 - KEEP A TRUE COURSE

- PROBLEM SOLVING -


" Do you ever want to - Just Turn the Ocean Around " 


Life is a journey filled with constant change. While your first instinct may be to turn back, have you ever considered the wisdom and power of simply moving forward? Erik Listou, a master of change, offers insights on staying on course through adversity. Learn to be the captain of your ship. 

   

Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Discover why you should always stay on course.
  2. Learn the secret to smooth sailing.
  3. Become the captain of your own destiny.

Soft Step #7 - INVITE NEW IDEAS

- BUILDING TRUST -


"Hey, I Have an Idea!"


Many years ago, in a land far away, Erik learned a new idea. Over time, he came to understand how knowledge transforms new ideas into lasting success. Discover how to motivate yourself and those around you to listen, learn, and accept new ideas. Join the thousands of children, of all ages, including business professionals, have learned from the wisdom of that one idea.


Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Understand how to introduce new ideas.
  2. Rediscover how you learned years ago how to reject or accept new ideas.  
  3. Create an action plan outline to inspire new ideas in your life and your business.      

Soft Step #8 - LISTEN TO EVERYONE

erik as a mason with a brick and as a board member with a bow tie

- DISCOVERING TALENT -


"What's Your Story?"


When he first entered the business world, Erik was told, “Look for the gray hairs.” He thought that meant literally those with gray hair. Learn to change your perception of those with different experiences, values, and ideas. Understand the importance of listening and learning from others, no matter their apparent age! 


Open your eyes and discover the most respected color in the business world, the Color Gray.     


Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Change your perceptions of age.  
  2. Share a story about learning from someone with more experience than you.
  3. Learn how to inspire everyone around you and improve your life by learning from the experiences of others.

Soft Step #9 - LEARN TO COOK

tray with four plates of food and fruit and table settings

- BUSINESS PLANNING -


 "Learn to Cook Well"

 

If you are a leader, you are the chef. When you discover the perfect recipe, collect the right ingredients, and apply the cooking skills you have learned throughout your life, everyone will flock to your table. Erik will help you apply your knowledge to fill the appetites and passions of your team, leaving them wanting more!

 

Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Understanding how recipes go way beyond your kitchen.
  2. Learn how to apply a Mother's simple recipe for a full life. 
  3. Creating a business menu everyone will enjoy.

Soft Step #10 - SMILE, SMILE, SMILE

Erik on stage with pictures of conga drums, a podcast, grandchildren, as Mrs Claus and Santa

- CONFRONTATION MANAGEMENT -


 "Smile When You Say That" 


In every situation, we must always make an immediate decision that directly impacts our lives and everyone around us. Erik Listou will share a simple method he learned from his parents over seven decades ago. Erik has shared this same two-second technique with his daughter, his grandchildren, professionals throughout his career, plus many thousands of children, especially at Christmas! Discover how you, your business, and everyone around you can control confrontations and create a positive environment in two seconds!


Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Learn the time-tested two-second secret to smiling.
  2. Discover how to control confrontation immediately.
  3. Create a positive work environment.

Discover how Erik and his wife spread joy and happiness to children of all ages, Santa and Mrs.

Learn about Erik as a Home Accessibility Expert.

  • Start Here
  • Soft Skills
  • Why Erik
  • Logistics
  • Bow-Tie Insights

Making People Smile since 1950