Chris Ruden

Everyone has heard the phrase “only the strong survive” but in explaining why, the phrase reads “only the strong survive due to willingness to change”. Change is inevitable as is the resistance to change. In this talk, Chris uses his expertise in introspective change to help teams and audiences alike train for change. Looking backward for solutions to problems we have yet to encounter prevents growth in an ever-changing world. Problem-solving requires forward-thinking, creative change management strategies and a collective perspective shift toward letting go of yesterday’s logic to build a better tomorrow.

Presentation Objective

Provide attendees with effective framework to lead change with a framework of:

• Optimizing an effective individual and team perspective around change
• Invoking and Embracing creative problem solving ideas
• Implementing robust frameworks around managing change
• Evaluating mindset as a tool for organizational success

Learning Objectives

• Recognizing and validating that change is strength.
• How to qualify our environment and respond effectively to maximize our performance
• How to overcome change aversion and build a new narrative for success
• Develop change-proof problem solving strategies to leverage change for growth opportunities
• When to embrace change as a catalyst for growth
• Connecting the importance of practicing proactive behavior in your business operations to success, and how to redefine adversity as a positive tool that can strengthen teams and organizations powerfully

This presentation is about a world without limits, even a world that you can’t control. The concept of struggle is universal, and through effective strategies and tactics, we learn to see limitations as self-imposed obstacles, as opposed to dead ends and roadblocks. In this presentation, Chris helps organizations to reframe how they view limitations, focusing on what you can control, and redirecting effective behaviors that can powerfully steer a team and organization's success. Chris provides a framework to help leaders and their teams reframe their situations and their responses to them, in order to avoid the pitfalls that so many teams experience. Chris uses his story as a vessel to the presentation's objectives: to empower teams to break free of their limits personally and professionally and become more effective communicators, contributors and collaborators.

Presentation Objective

Provide attendees with effective strategies to manage change and overcome adversity with a framework of:

• Optimizing an effective communication strategy
• Optimizing performance at the individual and team level
• Implementing robust frameworks around team synergy and collaboration
• Evaluating mindset as a tool for organizational success

Learning Objectives

• Recognizing and validating that limitations exist and how to use them powerfully in your success strategies
• How to qualify our environment and respond effectively to maximize our performance
• How to uncover the root of organizational challenges and solve them with a solution centric approach
• How to optimize and improve our ability to respond to unexpected circumstances
• When to embrace adversity as a catalyst for change
• Connecting the importance of practicing proactive behavior in your business operations to success, and how to redefine adversity as a positive tool that can strengthen teams and organizations powerfully

Born with a disability and later diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Chris uses his story of hiding his disability for almost 20 years to help associations, corporations, and audiences alike embrace the I.D.E.A.-- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. This interactive keynote gives a uniquely effective view of diversity and inclusion and exactly how to recognize and implement the idea that different minds foster innovation, inclusion, and forward-thinking, and are powerful contributors and collaborators on teams. After experiencing this event, audience members will be equipped with an improved cultural lens that inspires creativity and problem-solving while uniting differences to optimize forward thinking. Through Chris’ lifelong relationship with his disability & disease, his expertise in the world of leveraging differences to make a significant impact will leave the audience with a transformative experience and a renewed sense of community.

Presentation Objective

• Promote the important benefits of Diversity & Inclusion, as part of any organizations success strategy with a framework of:
• Inclusive leadership strategies to strengthen internal culture for external results
• Positively impact people with differences in a way that enables them to be seen and included, and for the team around them to...
• Creativity & problem solving around our different cultural lenses
• Inform, inspire, and impact audience members to reflect & connect more thoughtfully with each other in an effort to fortify strength in community

Learning Objectives

• Leveraging diverse perspectives and input to foster innovation, inclusion, and forward thinking
• Recognizing and validating that differences are not only ok, but are encouraged and need to be understood & supported to grow.
• How to improve company-wide cultural competency to optimize company culture & performance
• How to empower your team through inclusive integration to cultivate equitable workplaces