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  • Soft Steps
  • Erik
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  • Bow-Tie Insights

Soft Steps to Success

With clarity and confidence, Erik shares his insights from 75 years of successes and failures.


His storytelling style brings smiles to audiences of all ages.


His purpose is simple: Making people happy.


Some of Erik's favorite motivational quotes, featuring his little chihuahua friend, Dolly, can be found on the Bow Tie Insights page.

Soft Steps to Success

After 55-years in business, Erik understands and shares the differences between Hard Skills and Soft Skills:


  • Hard Skills are things you can count 
  • Hard Skills stay at work


  • Soft Skills go with you everywhere
  • Soft Skills are essential to success in business and life. 
  • Soft Skills guide our relationships at work and at home
  • Soft Skills are the Who, What, Where, When, and Why 


Using the words "Soft Skills" as an acronym, Erik has created the 10 Soft Steps to Success.


Read each step below, in sequence, then apply.


Text "STEPS" to Erik @ 720-581-0277 or email erik@ErikListou.com to schedule a free Zoom meeting to learn more. 

from Harvard Business Review :

"Research shows soft skills are foundational to great leadership and set high performers apart from their peers. They're also increasingly sought by employers." 


from the U.S. Department of Labor:

"Soft Skills: ...while the three "R's" (reading, writing, and arithmetic) are still fundamental to every employee's ability to do the job, employers view "soft" skills as even more important to work readiness..."


from Investopedia:

"Soft skills are character traits and interpersonal skills...In the workplace, soft skills are considered to be a complement to hard skills...individuals who demonstrate that they have a good combination of hard and soft skills often enjoy a greater demand for their services." 


from NAIFA.org:

"Without mastering the soft skills of connecting with others, you won’t utilize your hard skills...having excellent soft skills makes a prospect want to become your client." 


from Erik Listou:

"Soft Skills are the who, what, where, when, and why of your business."


The 10 Soft Steps to Success

1. Start with Communication

"The Secret of the Three Little Monkeys"


Do you remember the three little monkeys and their see-no-evil, hear-no, speak-no hand gestures? Body language expert Erik Listou will help you understand and surprise you with their true secret. Learn instantly how to apply their profound message. Discover the secrets of analyzing, evaluating, and creating better communication with others and how they respond to you. Celebrate the first step to your success!


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.

2. Organize Your Team

"The Concept of Expectations"


Do you remember when you were young and the excitement of the circus? Watch Erik Listou perform a real circus trick to help you understand the 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 and improve yourself and everyone around you.

3. Find your True Purpose

"But What Do You REALLY Do"


 Finding your true purpose is a journey of self-discovery, not a destination. Erik will guide you to remember and understand your passions, values, and strengths, and then 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.


Learning outcomes:

  1. Discover a clear vision for your future.
  2. Understand how you can to achieve your goals.
  3. Create a positive future for those around you.


Bonus >>> The Secret of the Six-Second Hook. Learn how to create your perfect elevator speech that hooks any audience in only 6 seconds!  

4. Tell Your Story

"How You Bring Gifts All Year Long "


 Yes, your story can absolutely change the world. While the scale of impact can vary, even small missions can have ripple effects that lead to significant change. Erik will help you discover and create your well-defined mission to provide direction and purpose, inspiring action and influencing others to contribute to your positive vision.. 


Learning outcomes:  

  1. Set a clear mission that will change the world. 
  2. Discover your unique appearance to the world. 
  3. Learn how you can bring confidence to yourself and all those around you. 

5. Set Goals and Action Steps

 "Goals for Tomorrow = Action for Today "


 Setting goals is crucial for personal and professional development as it provides direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Erik will guide you to focus your energy, enhance productivity, and improve decision-making. Create accountability and foster a sense of accomplishment as you follow you remission always remembering your true mission.


Learning outcomes:

  1. Understand the logic of starting with your vision and mission.
  2. Create realistic 10-5-3-1 year goals.
  3. Apply action plans that reinforce your goals.

6. Keep a True Course

" Just Turn the Ocean Around " 


LIfe is a continual motion full of waves of change. Our instinctive reaction is to turn around and go the other way. But imagine what could happen if you could turn the world around you. Student & master of change, Erik Listou, shares the wisdom of staying on course through the never-ending cross-currents of adversity. Learn to be the captain of your ship. *

   

Learning outcomes:  

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

7. Invite New Ideas

 "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.      

8. Listen to Everyone

"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.

9. Learn, Learn, Learn

 "Learn to Cook Well"


If you are a leader, you are the chef. When you discover the right recipe, collect the right ingredients, and remember 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 appitiites and passion of your team, leaving them wanting more!

 

Learning objectives:  

  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 life or business menu you will enjoy.

10. Always with a Smile

 "Smile When You Say That" 


In every situation, we must always make an immediate decision that will directly affect our lives. Erik Listou will share a simple method he learned from his parents over seven decades ago. Erik shared this same two-second technique with his daughter, his grandchildren, professionals throughout his career, plus 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 Erik's two-second secret to smiling.
  2. Discover how to control confrontation immediately.
  3. Create a work environment that is always positive.

To learn about Erik as one of the nation's leading practitioners, educators, and public speakers for home safety, click here Home Accessibility Expert.


Learn how Erik brings happiness and joy all year long, to children of all ages, visit Santa and Mrs.. 

  • Soft Steps
  • Erik
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Inspired by Making People Happy