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Freedom, Entrepreneurship and Difficult Conversations with Steve Miska
“Wherever you are on the spectrum of belief or thoughts, this is a conversation for everyone.” — Ursula Mentjes (17:11-17:15)
Over the last few weeks, we've been having a lot of conversations about what's going on in the world from the murder of George Floyd, how that's impacted the world as a whole, and how we're supporting our communities of color all over the world as well. In addition, we are still in the middle of the pandemic, which means so many things for so many people. In this week's episode, Ursula Mentjes speaks about freedom, entrepreneurship, and difficult conversations with Steve Miska.
Part One of ‘Freedom, Entrepreneurship and Difficult Conversations with Steve Miska’
Steve Miska is the Executive Director of First Amendment Voice, a nonpartisan effort to reinvigorate civic awareness around free expression, religious liberty, press freedom, and other first amendment issues. He founded Servant, Leader, Citizen (SLC) Consulting, Inc. after retiring as a Colonel with 25 years in the Army. His last assignment was teaching graduate students as the Army Chair at Marine Corps University. Previously, he served in the Obama White House as Director for Iraq on the National Security Council.
In 2007, on his second of three combat tours, Steve led a team that established an underground railroad for dozens of interpreters from Baghdad to Amman to the United States. He earned top academic honors as a Counterterrorism Fellow at the College of International Security Affairs and has taught economics at the United States Military Academy, West Point.
“There is so much more that we share than what divides us.” — Steve Miska (27:59-28:04)
Steve routinely speaks on first amendment issues and soft networks and has addressed DIA, RAND, the Pacific Council on International Policy, the Young Presidents Organization of LA, and numerous media outlets and think tanks. He holds degrees from Cornell University, National Defense University, and West Point. He and his wife of 28 years have two children and reside in Southern California.
He's an author of multiple publications based on thesis work to protect soft networks. Conducts pro bono work to support nonprofits that help former interpreters and actively educates Congress on national security implications of legislation. Routinely engages with the media. Motivational speaker and discussion facilitator. Actively mentors young professionals.
Part Two of ‘Freedom, Entrepreneurship and Difficult Conversations with Steve Miska’
In terms of limiting beliefs, Steve had enough self-awareness to know that the military cultivates a character trait of humility, and everything is focused on the team. It's about whether the mission can be accomplished. So, a lot of veterans are not suited in a good way to enter the civilian sector because they're coming from this environment where they don't believe they need to sell themselves. They don't believe that they're the product many times that people want. It's a very different cultural shift that he struggled with. He
Steve had gone to interviews for senior positions in different places in the country. He ended up realizing that if he got stuck in a bureaucracy somewhere, whether it's in the corporate sector or elsewhere, it was always a bad fit for him in the Army. Later on, he discovered the sales camp, recommended it to other people, and attended it himself because it's a great way to reflect and learn from mentors who have traveled that path. It can be humbling to admit there's always something that we don't know.
“Keep exploring ideas, be a lifelong learner, and remain understanding.” — Steve Miska (32:01-32:06)
There's a lot to unpack when it comes to dealing with difficult conversations. First, focus on the areas closest to you in your communities or whatever level you happen to be interacting with. Currently, we're seeing all of these major protests happening around the world. But toxic rhetoric out there in public is not healthy for us. It's not healthy for the country. Getting those hits right off of social media that are confirming our own preconceived biases, that's not healthy for us as individuals, both from a mental perspective, but physiologically, it can impact you as well.
With all the chaos happening in the world right now, it's completely powerful to remain understanding of the situation and be a lifelong learner no matter what. Be one of those people who's willing to build a bridge and bring diverse people together where they can share in a way that's beneficial for everyone.
How to Connect More with Steve Miska:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-miska/
Resources Discussed:
Difficult Conversation’s workshop: https://difficultconversationsproject.org/
Kern’s bio here: https://difficultconversationsproject.org/the-facilitator
About Ursula Mentjes:
Ursula Mentjes is the founder of Sales Coach Now, as well as a Sales Expert, Inspirational Speaker, Author and Certified Sales Coach who specializes in NLP to help her clients double and triple their sales. Sales Coach Now delivers a unique approach to sales training and coaching designed for ultimate retention and achievement.
Discover how to transform limiting beliefs, make powerful shifts with intention, and authentically serve (sell) your clients with my free pdf, “6 Secrets to Doubling Your Sales! www.salescoachnow.com/gift
Also, Ursula would love to partner with you at your next event, conference, or sales training session. If you’re interested in coming to Sales Camp, that’s her two-day live course then, you may find out more information here: https://www.salescoachnow.com/sales-camp/.
NEXT STEPS - A GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Be one of the first to receive My One Great Goal Digital Book, My One Great Goal Digital Workbook, and Access To My One Great Goal Virtual Event by completing an online review of my "Double Your Sales Now" Podcast: go to this link here - www.salescoachnow.com/giveaway/.
Here are some great episodes to start with.
