In this interview, Ria Story discusses:

• Overcoming an unimaginable childhood
• Beginning her career as a server at Pizza Hut and choosing to start climbing
• Her professional journey and the various jobs she had along her climb
• Getting it wrong by being confident but arrogant early in her career
• Understanding that if we want life to be different, we must do something different
• How personal growth and development allows us to avoid and/or overcome problems
• Sharing her personal story on stage in front of hundreds for the first time in 2013
• Les Brown inviting her to speak at an event he was hosting in Los Angeles, CA
• How her growth led to her speaking at Yale and the U.S. Capitol

Ria Story is a leadership speaker, author, and trainer. She loves eating healthy and fitness. She ran many marathons including the Boston Marathon and is 4X state mountain bike champion. Be sure to check out her newsletter (LinkedIn), her podcast (Spotify and most other podcast apps), and her YouTube channel for tons of FREE content.

Ria understands first hand the frustration and challenges leaders face. She understands, from experience, the discouragement of vague, confusing, and theoretical “leadership” materials that don’t help you understand how to develop the team you want to lead and become the leader they want to follow. Ria understands the sacrifices of leadership, and she believes leaders deserve simple and effective leadership tools that will help them be successful. Ria specializes in helping you Become the Leader You are Destined to Be.®

Ria is a motivational leadership speaker, TEDx Speaker, certified leadership trainer, and author of 20 books and journals, including: Leadership Gems for Women, and The Ladder of Influence®. She has spoken on leadership at Yale University and on Capitol Hill. Ria has spoken several times at International John Maxwell Certification Events and with motivational speaker Les Brown in Los Angeles, CA. Ria has an MBA, a BS in Human Resources Management, and has more than 20 years of experience in leadership and management.

Ria’s website: RiaStory.com

Email: Ria@RiaStory.com

Cell: (334) 332.3526

Watch her powerfully inspiring TEDx video: RiaStory.com/TEDx

Preview her books: RiaStory.com/download

Don't miss the 23rd episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series featuring Ria Story interviewed by Mack Story.

Watch this episode on the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@bluecollarleadership and check out the previous interviews in this series which can be found under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results!"

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future releases in this series.

In this interview, Denise Williams discusses:

• Being raised in her family’s blue-collar salvage business
• How her father and grandfather modeled different styles of leadership
• The importance of intentionally developing our character
• How we can impact others at work no matter our title or position
• How having a mission to help develop others changes the way you show up
• How having a desire to make things happen motivates her
• How she connects with those working on the frontlines
• Leveraging humility to build trust

Denise Williams has gained a lot of experience during her time working in the railroad industry. She’s currently in a Project Manager and Industrial Development role. She’s a high impact team player who values growing and developing herself with the intention of growing and developing others.

Denise was chosen as one of eight individuals to undertake a three-year rotational assignment across various functions within her organization. This journey began in 2021 with a one-year immersive assignment in Health, Safety & Environmental. In 2022, she transitioned into working in leadership roles in four areas of Operations (Network Operations, Transportation, Mechanical, and Engineering). Then in 2023, Denise joined the Leadership Development team in support of operations leadership training and development.

Through her participation in the “LEAD Program,” Denise honed her leadership skills, gained extensive cross-functional experience, and developed a strong understanding of the inner-connected functions across a Class I Railroad Network.

Don't miss the 22nd episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series featuring Denise Williams interviewed by Mack Story.

Watch this episode on the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@bluecollarleadership and check out the previous interviews in this series which can be found under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results!"

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future releases in this series.

In this interview, Kevin Creedon discusses:

• How developing people creates a competitive advantage
• How developing people leads to more and better referrals when jobs need to be filled
• How facilitating book studies helps his team work better together
• Why intentionally developing his team is a priority
• How developing the workforce and the leadership team has enhanced organizational culture
• How leadership development helped the leaders better understand their teams

Kevin Creedon is a Partner and VP of Sales and Business Development at Element Designs, a manufacturer located near Charlotte, NC.

Element Designs has been in business over 20 years and is an industry leader in providing premium, contemporary aluminum, glass, and acrylic surfacing materials and components to the top kitchen, office and closet manufacturers. Custom products include NEW protective glass panels, aluminum frame cabinet doors, back painted glass, marker boards (glass whiteboards), high gloss solid acrylic, aluminum frame base systems, sliding door systems, decorative hardware, shelving and organization solutions that are proudly manufactured right here in the United States.

Kevin became intentional about developing himself and his team in 2018 after Mack & Ria Story conducted on site workforce and leadership development sessions. After the visit, he was inspired to begin reading personal growth and leadership development books and facilitating book studies with his team. For the past several years, he and his front office administrative team have been participating in book studies on a weekly basis.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/KevinCreedon

Company Website Element-Designs.com

Don't miss the 21st episode of the "Real People Getting Real Results!" interview series featuring Kevin Creedon interviewed by Mack Story.

Watch this episode on the Blue-Collar Leadership YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@bluecollarleadership and check out the previous interviews in this series which can be found under the playlist titled "Real People Getting Real Results!"

Be sure to subscribe while you're there, and tap the 🔔 to be notified of future releases in this series.