Matthew Renz’s interactive workshops dive deep into the skills that drive real growth and connection.
Designed for teams and leaders at every level, each session combines hands-on exercises, real-world scenarios, and practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
Influence Casts a Giant Shadow, Make a Great Impact on People
Many organizations are unsure about how to develop their people. Inc. Magazine reports almost three in four Gen-Z workers report low job satisfaction. Success Magazine reports the number one fear of many professionals have is the fear that they will not have the opportunity to grow and develop in their careers. As a matter of fact, professors at the Harvard Business School found that C-suite executives believe they routinely implement career advancement practices that their employees say never happened.
Influence is part of our everyday lives. Everyone influences others. This session will help you understand the power of your influence. You will never understand how you influence someone, because you are not them. Based on Matthew Renz’s best-selling book, your audience will learn how to grow their influence, so that they can have a greater impact on people. After all, leadership is influence.
This session is not a one-size-fits-all message. To engage the audience, Influence Casts a Giant Shadow is tailored specifically to your audience, crafted through direct telephone interviews with members of your association. This little extra effort will make a significant impact on your audience.
Learn thirteen simple, insightful ways to increase your influence and watch your personal superpower grow. Whatever your vocation or aspiration, you can increase your impact on others by learning to use your influence. Imagine your organizational culture fueled by positive influence!
Matthew’s book will be available to all attendees, available in .pdf or paperback or hardback.
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect
In today’s world, the art of communication is slipping—and leaders are paying the price. Success is no longer about simply delivering information; it’s about creating real connection. The truth is, anyone can learn to turn every interaction into an opportunity to build trust, influence outcomes, and lead more effectively.
According to Harvard Business Review, the number one factor for advancement and leadership effectiveness is the ability to communicate well. In leadership, that means connecting. Leaders who connect experience less conflict, build stronger teams, and get more done—especially in high-stakes environments where clarity, trust, and credibility matter.
When leaders learn how to connect—one-on-one, in teams, and in front of an audience—they create stronger cultures, increase cooperation, and elevate performance. Connection drives buy-in. Buy-in builds trust. And trust is the foundation of effective leadership.
This session delivers practical tools leaders can apply immediately to strengthen communication, reduce friction, and increase influence across their organization.
Participants will learn how to:
• Recognize Connecting Signals—because connection goes far beyond words
• Apply the Three Principles of Connection to build trust and credibility
• Practice the Three Core Practices of Connection to increase influence and leadership impact
This is not theory. It’s a practical, actionable framework for leaders who want to communicate with clarity, lead with confidence, and strengthen the influence they carry into every interaction.
