The second day of NSCA BLC 2025 lived up to the high standard set by the first day of the Business & Leadership Conference! In fact, I believe that it raised the bar for integration business leaders seeking inspiration and fresh ideas.
The day’s keynote speaker, Dr. Ivan Joseph, brought high energy and good humor, plus plenty of examples from his own life.
Every business leader runs the risk of inhibiting their own business’ growth, Dr. Joseph said, if they fall prey to the patterns that perpetuate the status quo. “We have to disrupt patterns,” he declared. “Equally important, YOU have to disrupt patterns.” Sharing clips from a ’90s-era Apple commercial, he challenged BLC attendees to be crazy enough to think we can change the world — because those are the only kinds of people who ever do.
Frayed Social Cohesion
Dr. Joseph identified symptoms of frayed social cohesion, asking, for example, how many BLC 2025 attendees eat in the work lunchroom or regularly attend company barbecues or picnics. These social occasions offer the opportunity for agenda-free spontaneous conversations, as opposed to the kinds of transactional relationships that Dr. Joseph believes hold us back from greatness.
These opportunities for team connection not only humanize fellow associates but also spur innovation and different ways of being. In addition, they lay the groundwork for the hard, authentic conversations leaders must have to give genuine feedback, so people can rise to their full potential. And Dr. Joseph emphasized that the feedback should flow both ways, including from employees to leaders. How often have you asked your direct reports questions like these:
- “What am I doing that’s making it difficult to do your job?”
- “What do you see outside our organization that would make it easier for you to do your job?”
“Imposter Syndrome” is ubiquitous, and Dr. Joseph argued that those self-doubts are corrosive to leaders’ success. It’s all too easy to listen to others put us down, he said, and “if we’re not careful, we start to believe it.” That negative thinking and fear of failure will hold us — and our organizations — back. Thus, he urged BLC attendees to disrupt the cacophony of negativity with positive affirmations and unshakeable self-belief.
NSCA BLC 2025: Positivity Should Radiate Outward
That positivity should radiate outward, as well. He urged leaders to affirm team members who perform well, saying, “You have to catch them when they’re good.” This is key because dissatisfaction usually motivates us to act more than contentment does.
Dr. Joseph underlined the importance of centering the whole organization — not the self — when formulating and chasing goals. “How do I allow the light to shine on others while still allowing me to achieve my goals?” he asked rhetorically. Coaching, after all, isn’t about accumulating accolades; it’s about elevating team success.
Dr. Joseph exhorted us to find our North Star, embrace a sense of purpose and vision, and step into our greatness. This resonated deeply with BLC 2025 attendees. A truly inspiring session!
