I’ve worked with management teams and observed workplaces for organizations in 36 industries. This turned into a massive research project where besides helping them improve I was gathering valuable information about why some workplaces were better than others. My previous work experiences included an organization that has now been in business for 100 years with an 80% employee retention rate which further helped me identify the true nature of what makes a workplace effective. The end result of my decades of this pursuit has led to critical discoveries and innovations about how to fix the workplace for good.It’s time to ask why all the effort, time and money spent to improve the workplace hasn’t fixed it yet. This is the question I’ve been asking this for over 10 years while working on my next book. And the answers have been coming fast and furious during the last two years. My discoveries show the following:🔹 Why no existing programs and initiatives have been able to fix the workplace for good.🔹 Why we need to replace over 4000 definitions of leadership with just one based on Voluntary Influence🔹 Why leadership is a behavior, not a job which means all employees should be developed and encouraged to lead through Voluntary Influence🔹 Why the relationship between management and employees must be changed at a fundamental level that affects the perceptions of control before the workplace can be fixed.🔹 Why the threshold to be close to fixing the workplace for good is when an organization can produce the Three 80's… at least 80% employee retention, employee engagement and psychological safety.On the First Concepts Page, you'll find a list of 9 questions to help you evaluate your workplace. Think about these discoveries and those questions then let’s talk about your workplace. 📞 Schedule a phone call to explore what will help you the most right now. You'll enjoy the conversation. Email Don at donshapiro@firstconcepts.com ✔️

"Over the years, I have heard countless presentations on 'Leadership.' Your presentation was by far the most beneficial. Exceptional."Roberta Perry, Past International Director, ToastmastersWhat would work life be like without bad bosses, managers who can’t lead, and toxic cultures?We can help all organizations create work environments where we want to spend time, be productive and make good things happen. At the same time, we can develop children as leaders to help create a better future.When we define leadership only as Voluntary Influence and eliminate all the 4000 plus definitions in use, we create a new, higher standard of how everyone in management and positions of power and authority behave and shape the world of work.Those who use involuntary influence such as intimidation, bullying, threats, games and power are no longer leaders and will be shown the door. We’ve now stopped the growing trend to treat leadership as a synonym for management and all the harm that has caused.Leadership is a behavior, not a job, title, position, power or authority. Having a management position doesn't make you a leader. Leadership is a competency not bestowed by a job title. Hourly employees can lead as well as management and should be encouraged to do so.People join with leaders, not follow them. Every employee a leader.Voluntary influence addresses the hidden culprit that has held organizations back for decades… management’s need to control. When we shift control to employees and hold them accountable as responsible and respected adults, we boost motivation, engagement and the quality of work life.When we develop our children to voluntary influence others to join with them, we help them grow into the leaders we want for the future. Every child a leader.Voluntary influence isn’t just a new definition of leadership. It drives a new approach toward what shapes cultures, work environments and society. This new standard changes everything.

“Don was fantastic. You felt like Don was a member of our team. Interactive, creative and engaging. It was great for the staff to learn from Don’s years of experience.”Andy Cloutier, Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau “You spent a lot of time talking to our employees which helped you fully understand our business. This enabled you to come across as ‘one of us’ and really impressed our people.”Gary Olson, Vice President, Forest Lawn Memorial ParksMy management started with Lawry’s, a restaurant chain that has now been in business 102 years by maintaining an employee retention rate above 80%. That produced very high customer traffic, sales and profits by delivering ultra-consistent service and quality. I found more evidence in fast food and family restaurants that proved high employee retention delivered the best service, quality, sales, and profits. After rising to the C-Suite, I launched my consulting firm where I’ve now worked with organizations in 36 industries. Those industries confirmed the evidence I uncovered in restaurant chains. You can only deliver excellent service, quality, and innovation when you retain your employees long enough. That also produces the highest possible revenue and operating income.My career turned into a huge research study about the connection between employee retention and results. Now I’m giving speeches, seminars and workshops on these discoveries. SPEAKER BACKGROUND🔹Started speaking before audiences when I was 14 years old🔹A professional speaker for 35 years🔹Member of Toastmasters for 25 years🔹Every program is customized for the client, audience, occasion, and meeting goals🔹My speaking style is high energy, enthusiastic, interactive with humor and depth🔹Every program is a learning experience where I share new discoveries and insights📞 Schedule a phone call to explore what will help you the most right now. You'll enjoy the conversation. Email Don at donshapiro@firstconcepts.com ✔️

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I'm writing a book about how to make better choices and follow our inner wisdom to navigate our journey through life. The book is being written on Facebook at the Life Is A Fork In The Road page that has over 93,000 fans.✔️ QUOTES FROM LIFE IS A FORK IN THE ROAD"Awareness unlocks our potential. As our awareness grows, so we grow.""Add up your choices and that's your life. Change your choices and change your life.""Forgiveness gives you the gift of life.""Life would be better with far less knives and forks and a lot more spoons.""Don't let the experiences of the past limit your vision for the future""It's not the situation we're in that matters but how we see the situation.""True positive thinking is not the absence of negative thoughts.""Move one pebble on the beach and you change history.""When you're stumped a fork in the road, spread out a blanket and take a nap.""Time is the great healer.""When you change yourself, the world starts changing with you.""Change happens whether you want it to or not.""We are the light at the end of the tunnel."