Andreas Welsch

Intelligence Briefing

● Advised business & technology leaders on defining their business’s AI strategy, organization, idea pipeline, and multiplier community; consulted on product/ go-to-market strategy, and pricing;  customers: AIxBlock, SavorHealth, Sema.
● Authored best-selling "AI Leadership Handbook—A Practical Guide to Turning Technology Hype into Business Outcome" and courses on Agentic AI for business leaders with LinkedIn; 30,000+ learners.
● Inspired and educated audiences of up to 10,000 attendees on using AI in business through keynotes, panel discussions, and trainings; customers: Amazon, Astra Zeneca, Generative AI Week, Germany’s Employment Agency, Packt Publishing, PMI, Potter Electric Signal, Similarweb, Wizly, WOW AI.
● Provided expert perspective to private equity firms and investors on enterprise AI market & technologies.
● Supported influencer campaigns with AWS, Domo, IBM, monday.com, Rossum, Salesforce.

Founder & Chief AI Strategist

Provide expert perspective to industry analyses and news stories (See details below).

Senior Industry Analyst

Keynote Speaker

LinkedIn

Trained 30,000+ business leaders on Agentic AI. Courses recorded in English & German and localized into the world’s most-spoken languages incl. Spanish and Mandarin.

Developed and recorded online courses for LinkedIn Learning for Business Leaders: 
● Agentic AI: Challenges and Opportunities for Leadership
● AI Agents: Preparing Your Organization for Change as a Business Leader
● Mitigating AI Business Risk: A Guide for Senior Leaders and Executives
● Currently working on two new courses for leaders and professionals and guiding their use of AI agents (stay tuned…)

Course Instructor

Maven

Developed an online course to teach product managers, product marketers/ GTM leaders, and founders the foundations of monetizing Agentic AI solutions—and how to set up their commercial models.

Prophets of AI

Prophets of AI is the leading resource for engagement with the world's most celebrated experts in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Andreas Welsch serves as an indispensable interpreter of modern technology for the business world, untangling the complexities of AI. In an age where hype can be blinding, he advocates for a measured, outcome-driven approach. Recognizing that not all AI projects realize their full potential, he underscores the necessity of looking beyond the buzz and narrative constructs, positioning AI as a profoundly human topic. To him, the essence of AI lies not in technology but in its profound implications for humanity, a theme he masterfully articulates in his pursuit of transforming AI hype into tangible outcomes.

Speakers Associates Ltd

Bots & People

● Advise leadership team on strategic opportunities in the U.S. market and on emerging content topics

● Develop and deliver hybrid learning courses for leading organizations to enable their early adopters on Generative AI. Large enterprise clients in Retail, Biopharma, etc.

Strategic Advisor & Instructor

academy4.ai

● Developed and delivered module on AI Leadership (based on the AI Leadership Handbook) as part of the “Master Management for AI” program.

● Engaged with learners in monthly AMA meetings to offer additional value and deepening of learning concepts.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

● Taught “Introduction to Management Information Systems” and "Production and Operations Management" to cohorts of up to 95 undergraduate students, spanning modules such as Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management, Databases, Cybersecurity, Ethics, and more. Instructor rating exceeded department average.

● Developing hands-on course “AI Applications in the Workplace” to prepare the next generation of leaders with the foundation of Generative AI and AI assistants.

● Contributed to defining West Chester University’s Generative AI Responsible Use policy.

● Received 4 teaching awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to bringing AI into the classroom.

Adjunct Professor

Accelerated market position in AI through end-to-end responsibility, contributing to +36% in market cap:
● Established global product marketing unit to drive vision, messaging & positioning, launches, and third-party events for Business AI and AI copilot, Joule, across 7 product CMOs, analyst/ public relations.
● Spearheaded partner marketing, including negotiating joint announcements, press releases, and launches with senior executives at Apple, AWS, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral, and NVIDIA.
● Conveyed value proposition of AI capabilities as a company spokesperson in dozens of media and analyst interviews; demonstrated traction by securing 7 public reference videos and 123 customer logos within the first 6 months (exceeded goal by 23%).
● Defined commercial model for Generative AI capabilities to double total addressable market & revenue.

Vice President & Head of Product Marketing  — Artificial Intelligence

Built and led global AI Center of Excellence (CoE) of 55 product managers, data scientists, developers, business analysts, and 3 managers to embed AI capabilities into flagship products:
● Partnered with product teams and customers to create portfolio of AI use cases; delivered 3 AI use cases and proved feasibility of 9 AI pilots and secured €2.3MM board-level funding; customers: Bayer, Trumpf.
● Collaborated with senior executives across engineering units to establish governance program and resolve common challenges for implementing AI; grew product roadmap from 5 to 19 AI capabilities.
● Built multiplier network to accelerate AI literacy for 20% of workforce via formal training, technology enablement, and hands-on workshops. Attendee rating of 4.5 out of 5 points on relevance and value.

Vice President & Head of AI Center of Excellence, SAP S/4HANA Product Management

Led customer adoption of AI solutions from discovery to reference, contributing to $8.1MM revenue, leading a team of GTM experts:
● Identified high-value AI scenarios in Fortune 100 businesses by conducting stakeholder interviews and developing innovation proposals; examples: Merck & Co., ExxonMobil.
● Won first deal in region for early-stage product by demonstrating customer-first mindset during sales cycle and implementation, resulting in go-live within 4 months.
● Advised senior stakeholders in 83 innovation projects with Fortune 500 customers by connecting technology portfolio to customers’ business outcomes, directly supporting $2MM pipeline.

Head of Go-to-Market, Artificial Intelligence

Prepared Chief Technology Officer for strategic customer meetings and programs with key stakeholders:
● Represented CTO and aligned priorities with executives, customers, partners, analysts, and board, leading to effective execution of strategic meetings and follow-ups.
● Generated input for corporate AI strategy by gathering customer feedback on AI & digital transformation of their businesses during site visits; customers: Walmart, ExxonMobil.

Program Manager, Office of the Chief Technology Officer

Newtown Square, PA (Oct 2010 – Sep 2016) | Markdorf, Germany (Aug 2001 – Sep 2010)
● Developed and implemented governance model for $17M service transition program to external provider, leading to adoption of 4 additional services within 6 months of project start.
● Coordinated service level reviews with team of 23 professionals in 5 countries, resulting in implementation of corrective actions with supplier and in ensuring go-live on time.
● Optimized support processes for business-critical systems with IT staff in North America and Asia, resulting in 12% increase of user satisfaction through training and standardized procedures.

Project Manager, IT Process Automation

Andreas Welsch is an internationally recognized top 10 AI leader and one of today’s most sought-after thought leaders and keynote speakers for business and technology audiences. With over two decades of global leadership experience—most recently as Vice President at SAP—Andreas has helped Fortune 500 companies cut through AI hype to deliver measurable business outcomes.

He is the Founder of AI consulting firm Intelligence Briefing, the best-selling author of the AI Leadership Handbook, and a leading voice on AI strategy, adoption, and transformation. 

At the heart of Andreas’s work lies a clear value proposition: he helps business leaders understand how to apply AI responsibly, effectively, and profitably by addressing the questions that decision-makers face:

• How do we turn AI into business value, not just experimentation?
• How can we prepare our workforce for AI-driven transformation?
• What practical steps can we take to avoid ethical, operational, or financial pitfalls?

Andreas’s keynotes and workshops are known for their clarity, strategic relevance, and deep insight. Drawing from more than two decades in the software industry, he offers real-world frameworks and practical steps tailored to leadership audiences. He introduces leaders to the growing landscape of AI agents, leading hybrid teams of humans and AI, and AI-driven business models, explaining not only what’s next—but what matters most and why.

During his tenure at SAP, Andreas accelerated the integration of AI across enterprise applications and positioned SAP as an AI leader. He brings first-hand experience and a global perspective to every business and has been named a LinkedIn Top Voice, Thinkers360's Top 10 Thought Leader in AI, Generative AI, and Agentic AI, DataIQ's Data & AI Leader of the Year, The Futurum Group's Top 14 AI Influencer, PEX Network’s Top 30 AI Leader, and SwissCognitive’s Top 50 Global AI Ambassador.

His work has appeared in CIO.com, VentureBeat, and InformationWeek. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of AI, Robotics and Workplace Automation and as an adjunct professor at West Chester University.

Whether advising boardrooms or delivering compelling mainstage keynotes, Andreas empowers organizations to lead with confidence in the era of AI. For leaders looking for clarity, action, and strategy—not hype—Andreas delivers a transformative experience.

Join his private community “AI Leadership Circle” and follow his “What’s the BUZZ?” live stream & podcast and newsletter, “The AI MEMO”, and work with Andreas to turn hype into outcome for your business.

Vice President & Head of Marketing & Solution Management — Artificial Intelligence

Defined GTM and product marketing for Artificial Intelligence (AI) across SAP’s product portfolio, incl. AI Business Services on SAP Business Technology Platform in the context of embedded AI capabilities and intelligent process automation via Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and low-code/ no-code offering. Led global team of product marketers and solution managers

Ghostwriter & Messaging Strategist helping leaders achieve 70% opt-ins with a Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to build trust and convert hesitant prospects into eager customers.

Most businesses struggle to convert leads because they rely on forgettable downloads and meaningless discounts that fail to create an emotional connection. 

Prospects don't just need information, they need to feel valued, to trust you, and to experience genuine engagement. 

That's why I created the concept of the Microstory Journey, a 5-day emotional experience that uses the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to touch hearts, build authentic connections, and establish unshakable trust, turning hesitant prospects into eager customers ready to take action.

AWAI Verified Copywriter
Case Studies Certification
Sales Enablement Certification

WRITING SERVICES I PROVIDE:

📨 5-Day Education Email Courses
💲 Ghostwriting on Social Media Platforms
📰  Newsletters
🌐   Web Content
✍️   Blog Posting
📧   Email Marketing
🛒   Sales Pages
📱   Facebook/Google Ads 

WHOM I WORK WITH: I help executives, CEOs, founders, & coaches.

3 Simple Steps to Powerful Messaging
1. Define your goals and messaging. 
2. Develop a customized storytelling strategy. 
3. Execute and refine messaging for maximum impact.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Email me at mike@mikehays.net OR
Book a call with me at https://calendly.com/ask-mikehays

Mike Hays

“If I were really that good… wouldn’t people just know?”

I used to think great work spoke for itself.

That thought used to haunt me.

I’d pour my heart into coaching, get referrals 
here and there, and quietly assume that great 
work would naturally lead to great clients.

Meanwhile, I watched others post daily.
Sharing testimonials. Wins. Lessons. Offers.
At first, I judged them. “Must be compensating,” I told myself.

But beneath that judgment?
A fear I didn’t want to name.

The day I tried writing a post about my services, I froze.
It felt like admitting I wasn’t good enough.
Like needing to promote meant my work couldn’t speak for itself.

But then a client said something that cracked the whole illusion:

I had no idea you even did that. 
I would’ve hired you months ago if I knew.

That hit hard.

Here’s what I finally realized:

The people who need you the most aren’t psychic.
They don’t see the lives you’ve changed unless you show them.
They don’t know the depth of your work unless you talk about it.

Self-promotion isn’t proof you’re not good enough.
It’s proof you care enough to serve beyond 
the ones who already found you.

Quiet brilliance doesn’t create impact.
Visible value does.

Self-promotion isn’t arrogance.
It’s leadership.

If you're a coach or consultant struggling to be seen
what's holding you back from showing up?

Follow Mike Hays for more insights on leadership.

Mike  Hays

Messaging Strategist & Ghostwriter for Leaders - I help you turn short stories into trust, influence, and premium clients with my Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint.

If Your Team Can't Picture Your Strategy…

They'll Never Execute It Properly.

(The visualization gap that kills execution)

Everyone says, "communicate the vision."
But here's what leaders miss:

↳ Abstract strategies create confusion.
↳ Clear mental pictures drive action.

Here's why visualization transforms execution:

1. Cognitive Clarity

↳ Brain processes images 60,000x faster than text
↳ Visual concepts eliminate interpretation gaps
↳ Teams align on the same mental model

2. Emotional Connection

↳ Pictures trigger emotional engagement
↳ People commit to what they can see
↳ Abstract goals feel impossible to reach

3. Decision Framework

↳ Clear vision becomes a filter
↳ Teams self-correct toward the picture
↳ Reduces constant micro-management needs

4. Progress Tracking

↳ Visual goals show measurable progress
↳ Milestones become obvious checkpoints
↳ Momentum builds through visible wins

The Leadership Reality:

↳ Complex strategies overwhelm teams
↳ Clarity beats complexity every time
↳ Simple pictures inspire action

Your team isn't failing execution.
They're failing visualization.

Quick Question:

How do you help your team picture success?

Share your approach below
Follow Mike Hays  for more leadership insights

The Simple Clarity System I Guarded for Years

Now I’m Finally Sharing It

My career has been defined by high-stakes decisions and ticking clocks.

One thing kept me from burning out.

Clarity.

When the pressure hits, your brain 
wants options, not decisions.

More meetings, more messages, 
more browser tabs pretending to be progress.

Early in my career, I played that game.
I was always busy, rarely moving the needle.

Then higher roles raised the stakes even further.

Clients waited on my calls, revenue hinged on my calendar.

That pressure forced a hard truth on me.

Clarity isn't a nice-to-have.
Clarity is survival.

So I built a simple productivity system my career could trust.

Here is the system I use every single day:
→ Decide what you want.
→ Write it down where you will see it.
→ Each morning, choose the ONE task that moves you closest.
→ Block time and do that task before anything else.

No inbox.

No scrolling.

No “quick favors” that hijack your day.

This is how I rebuilt myself, again and again.

I have started companies, sold franchises, and pivoted careers.
Every reinvention began with one clear daily priority.

Most people confuse movement with progress.

Their calendars are full, their results are thin.

You win when your day serves your direction.

Tonight, will you pick tomorrow's one non-negotiable task?

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

Being a doctor, lawyer, or consultant actually makes you a worse writer.
Not better....Worse.


Because once you're the expert, your job becomes to "know."
↳To explain.
↳To teach.
↳To correct.

But that same expertise, your years of training, the frameworks you’ve mastered can trap you.

You start writing from reflex.
From what you’ve already decided is true.

And in doing so, you kill the very thing that makes writing online worth reading:

Fresh thinking.

Writing that changes minds doesn’t come from what you know
it comes from what you’re willing to re-examine.

The professionals who win online don’t have the most credentials.

↳They’re the ones who reflect publicly.
↳They question assumptions—even their own.
↳They share what others are afraid to say.
↳They think differently, and then they write from that difference.


In the age of AI and content overload, repeating 
the same “expert advice” makes you forgettable.

But when you write from reflection
not repetition you become magnetic.

People follow professionals who make them think.

Not the ones who explain what they already believe.

You’re not paid to write what’s obvious.

You’re remembered for writing what’s original.

Follow Mike Hays for more insights on growth and creativity

There’s no “magic list” of buyer emotions.

But there is a sequence you can’t skip.

Every time someone says yes to your offer
They’ve walked an invisible emotional path to get there.

Not because you convinced them.
Because you reflected what was already true.

They were feeling something.
They saw themselves in your words.
And something clicked.

It didn’t start with logic.
It started with emotion.

Here’s what that emotional journey looks like underneath the surface:

Desire: “This matters to me.”

Resonance: “You get me.”

Belief: “This could actually work.”

Vision: “That’s what my life could look like.”

Momentum: “I don’t want to wait another day.”

That’s the runway.

Not persuasion.
Progression.

If your story, sales page, or pitch isn’t landing
Check the emotional sequence.

Are you rushing to urgency…
Before someone even believes it’s possible?

Are you pitching transformation…
Before they’ve felt seen?

Every skipped emotion is a drop-off point.
Every honored one builds trust.

Don’t just move people.
Walk with them.

Which step in the emotional journey are you most likely to skip?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication strategies

⚠️ MARKETER WARNING:

Side effects include curiosity, skepticism, and clicks..

Use of the Word “New” May Cause Unexpected Spikes in Attention, Consideration, and Click-Through Rates...

…but only if you know what the heck you're doing.

Side Effects of Reckless “New” Usage Include:

❌ Sudden bursts of hype with no substance
❌ Inflated expectations your product can’t deliver
❌ Momentary engagement followed by long-term brand erosion
❌ Confused buyers who think “new” means “unproven”

Use “New” Responsibly:

✅ Only apply to genuinely novel value
✅ Frame as a trigger for exploration, not a crutch for conversion
✅ Combine with context, contrast, or mechanisms
✅ Treat “new” as a frame, not just a feature

Final Note:

“New” is a match.
Strike it right, and it sparks attention.

Strike it wrong, and you’re just burning through trust.

Use with strategic intent or don’t use it at all.

Follow Mike Hays and look for the release of Story Sells Better Newsletter

She made a decision most people never do.

Did the world’s most famous coaches give her the right advice?

She stopped asking if she should leave her marriage.

And asked something much harder.

They still loved each other. That part wasn’t broken.

But the relationship?
It was stuck.

↳ No spark.
↳ No growth.
↳ Just a subtle decay
Like paint fading in slow motion.

She felt invisible in her own life.
Still loyal. Still present.
But disconnected from the woman she used to be.

She didn’t want a divorce.
She wanted her clarity back.

So she took a chance and asked for help 
from two people known for unlocking human potential.

They didn’t give her an answer.
They gave her a challenge:

What if, for the next 90 days, you led with love, not logic?

What if you stopped waiting to feel it, and became it?

Not the kind of love that feels good to give.
The kind that feels good to receive from him.

↳ Appreciation.
↳ Recognition.
↳ Presence.

Not to change him.
Not to fix anything.

But to clean the lens so she could finally 
see what was real and what wasn’t.

Long-term relationships gather dust.
Old resentments. Recycled assumptions.
Little bruises that go unspoken.

That dust clouds everything.

But clarity doesn’t come from distance.
It comes from immersion.

The question wasn’t:
"Do I stay or go?"

It was:
“Can I show up with zero agenda, total presence, 
and serve the love that’s still alive?”

This isn’t just about marriage.
It’s about ANY relationship that matters.

Whether it's a spouse, a business partner, or your own team:

* Don’t wait for change—>lead it.
* Don’t negotiate love—>demonstrate it.
* Don’t react from fear—>respond from alignment.

She didn’t find the answer.
She became the woman who could see it.

And the coaches who guided her through that?

Tony Robbins and Sage Robbins.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Show Up as Yourself 

Attracts Better Clients Than Any Polished Brand Voice.

If visibility feels like selling out, this is for you.
I used to hide behind my clients’ success instead of my own.

As a coach, I hated those polished, corporate-sounding posts.

Every draft I wrote sounded like a brand deck, not me.
So I stayed quiet and told myself silence meant integrity.

Meanwhile, louder voices defined what “leadership” looked like in my space.
Then a dream client said something that stopped me cold.
“I keep referring you, but your online presence doesn’t sound like you.”

They weren’t asking for a polished version.

They were begging for the real coach they met in sessions.

That day I made one rule for visibility.
I will show up as the room version, not the stage version.

↳ No perfect brand voice.
↳ Just the questions I actually ask clients, written in my voice.
↳ No glossy carousels.
↳ Just simple stories, real stakes, and clear invitations to reflect.

The result surprised me.

Views were smaller, but the right people started reaching out.
They quoted my messy lines, not the polished phrases.

Because leadership and coaching land when they feel human.

If you fear selling out, try this experiment for thirty days.

↳ Post as if you were recapping a session to a trusted friend.
↳ One story, one client moment, one honest insight each time.
↳ Hit publish before you smooth the interesting edges away.

Visibility is not selling out when your values hold the microphone.
What part of you are you still hiding from clients?

Follow Mike Hays for more visibility advice

Sometimes the most obvious solution is staring us in the face…

But we can't see it because we're looking too hard.

(The hiring mistake that costs us millions)

We overthink everything:
↳ The revolutionary marketing agency
↳ The perfect candidate profile
↳ The groundbreaking strategy

But here's what we miss:

What No One Wants to Admit:
↳ 73% of great hires come from internal referrals
↳ Our best marketing ideas already exist in customer feedback
↳ Winning strategies are often simple executions done consistently

Here's why we overlook the obvious:

1. Complexity Bias

↳ We assume harder = better
↳ Simple solutions feel too easy
↳ We discount what's right there

2. External Validation Trap

↳ We chase shiny new agencies
↳ Ignore our internal expertise
↳ Outsource what we already know

3. Strategy Paralysis

↳ We overcomplicate proven methods
↳ Analysis replaces action
↳ Perfect becomes the enemy of good

The Hidden Power:
Our best people are already here.
Our winning message is in our reviews.
Our strategy worked last quarter.

Quick Question:

What obvious solution have you been overlooking in your business?

⤵️ Share below

How a 30-Second Ordinary Moment

Creates Massive Engagement

Most people think great stories need big drama.
They don’t.

I used to believe “epic” moments made content compelling.
Massive wins. Huge failures. Perfectly crafted narratives.

But the posts that resonated most were never the dramatic ones.
They were the small, honest moments I almost didn’t share.

Like the awkward client call.
Or the lesson learned on a random Tuesday.
Or the quiet realization that changed how I lead my team.

You probably don't want to hear this...
Readers connect far more with relatability than spectacle.

They don’t want heroes.
They want humans.

Big stories entertain.
But simple stories connect.

The imperfect detail is what makes people trust you.
The honest moment is what makes people remember you.
The everyday struggle is what makes people engage with you.

You don’t need a dramatic arc to be compelling.
You need clarity, honesty, and a moment someone can see themselves in.

Small stories build big impact.
What “ordinary” moment taught you something recently?

Follow Mike Hays for more microstory tips

The Day I Realized the Market Wasn’t My Enemy

It Was My Mind.

Most entrepreneurs struggle with the same invisible enemy:
(And it's not competition, market conditions, or lack of resources)

False beliefs about themselves.

I know because I fought these battles:
↳ Wasn't a natural communicator
↳ Struggled with confidence
↳ Came from nothing
↳ Felt "not enough"

Here's what changed everything:

1. Evidence Collection

↳ Document every small win
↳ Track progress, not perfection
↳ Your past proves your capability

2. Reframe Your Origin

↳ "From nothing" = resourceful problem-solver
↳ Scarcity taught you efficiency
↳ Your struggle is your competitive advantage

3. Confidence Through Repetition

↳ Confidence isn't innate, it's built
↳ Every post, every conversation adds up
↳ Action creates belief, not the reverse

4. Communication as a Skill

↳ Nobody is born a great communicator
↳ Clarity beats charisma every time
↳ Practice makes you powerful

The Truth:
Your false beliefs aren't facts.
They're outdated stories you keep telling yourself.

Quick Question:

Which false belief held you back the longest?

⤵️ Share below

Thank you, Holly Moe, for helping me rewrite the story I was telling myself.

If You Think Your Question Isn't Worth Asking…

You're Missing the Biggest Growth Opportunity.

(The mindset shift that changes everything)

Everyone thinks, "My question is too basic."
But here's what I've learned after 15 years:

↳ Your "dumb" question is someone else's breakthrough.
Here's why you should ask anyway:

1. The Expertise Curse

↳ Experts forget beginner struggles
↳ Your question fills knowledge gaps
↳ Creates valuable teaching moments

2. Collective Intelligence

↳ Questions spark deeper discussions
↳ Others have the same uncertainty
↳ Community learning accelerates growth

3. Vulnerability Creates Connection

↳ Admitting confusion builds trust
↳ Shows authentic learning mindset
↳ Attracts genuine helpful responses

4. Question Quality Myth

↳ "Basic" questions often reveal fundamentals
↳ Simple inquiries expose complex issues
↳ Clarity benefits everyone involved

What you should know:
↳ Courage to ask creates breakthrough moments.
↳ Your question validates others' confusion.
↳ Silence keeps everyone stuck.

The smartest people ask the most questions.
Not because they know less.
Because they understand learning never stops.

Quick Question:

What's one question you've been afraid to ask? 
Share below and let's learn together.

Before: Brilliant but Invisible. 

After: Visible, Trusted, In-Demand.

The most talented professionals often remain invisible in their industries.

(And it's not because they lack expertise)

It's because of three limiting beliefs.

But here's what they don't realize about visibility:
It's not about ego.
It's about impact.

The Hidden Barriers:
↳ "My credentials should speak for themselves"
↳ "Good work will naturally be discovered"
↳ "Self-promotion feels arrogant"

Here's why these beliefs sabotage success:

1. The Service Reframe

↳ Sharing knowledge isn't bragging. It's helping
↳ Your expertise solves real problems for people
↳ Staying quiet deprives others of solutions

2. The Credential Trap

↳ Qualifications open doors, but stories close deals
↳ People connect with transformation, not titles
↳ Your experience matters more than your degrees

3. The Discovery Myth

↳ Exceptional work happens behind closed doors
↳ Visibility requires intentional communication
↳ Talent without promotion equals missed opportunities

The Part You Can’t Ignore:
Your expertise sitting in silence helps no one.
Your knowledge locked away serves no purpose.
But your voice sharing wisdom changes everything.

The experts who break through don't abandon humility, they channel it into service.

They understand that hiding their light isn't noble; it's selfish.

Quick Question:

What's one piece of expertise you've been keeping to yourself that could transform someone's business?

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership insights.

Authority isn’t about confidence.

It’s about language.

We often assume people follow the loudest voice in the room.
But in real conversations, especially at work
authority shows up in much quieter ways.

I started paying attention to the people who 
consistently guided discussions.

↳ They weren’t forceful.
↳ They weren’t dramatic.
↳ They simply used intentional phrasing that changed how others responded.

And once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

Three simple shifts can instantly change 
how people perceive your authority even 
if nothing else about you changes.

1. Use words that imply direction.
Phrases like “I’d like to set the direction here…” 
or “I don’t like the direction this is heading…” 
subconsciously signal leadership.

The moment you reference direction, people look to you to guide it.

2. Frame ideas through experience.
Open with, “In the past, I’ve found…” 
or “In these situations, I prefer…”

These phrases add instant credibility
not because you’re boasting, but because 
you’re grounding your perspective in pattern recognition.

3. Set expectations clearly and calmly.
Statements like “Let’s focus on the issue at hand…” or 
“Here’s what I think we should prioritize…” 

Bring clarity to the conversation.
And clarity creates trust the foundation of authority.

None of this requires a title.
None of this requires dominance.
Authority is simply controlled direction, 
earned clarity, and consistent language.

Credit to Jefferson Fisher, whose ideas inspired this lesson.

If you want more authority, start with your words they shape the room long before your title does.

What phrase do you use to guide conversations?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

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Andreas Welsch

Mike Hays

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The Battle

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Mike Hays's LinkedIn Performance

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