Kent Vanho, MBA

ALPHA COAST

At AlphaCoast.com, we help career executive coaches, recruiters, and franchisors guide professionals at all levels in career transition. 

Just to name a few, current clients hitting records revenue growth within three short months:
Larnell Vickers - 3,530% ROI
Johnny Walker - 1,810% ROI
Maryse Williams - 2,560% ROI
Ron Nash - 1,250% ROI
Briar Dougherty - 2,120% ROI
Jewel Bracy DeMaio - 2380% ROI
many, many more...

How do we do that? 

Introducing our Client Accelerator™ Program, an implementation, not training, but a one-on-one partnership to help you grow and scale your coaching business through our 4-step proven process:

Build:  We'll audit your entire customer journey to ensure that you have a strong and congruent positioning, messaging that resonates & an offer with a USP (Unique Selling Point) that separates you from your competition while validating that you have product-market-fit before we launch or activate your lead flow (Done-With-You)

Launch:  We'll build out the entire infrastructure, automations, and implement all tech stacks for you, and then infuse ready-to-buy inbound leads flow DAILY inside your business with dedicated resources to handle messaging, follow-ups, even book meetings straight to your calendar (Done-For-You)

Operate:  All you'll do is take the calls, close, fulfill, and simply repeat.  Need help with sales training? No problem. We'll work with you 1-on-1 to get you to your desired close rate (Done-With-You)

Scale:  We'll work with you 1-on-1 to solve your growing pains & remedy any bottlenecks before doubling the lead flow to double your revenue (Done-With-You)

To learn more, meet me at AlphaCoast.com

Chief Executive Officer

Cisco

➡️	Led worldwide effort to architect $3B Partner Plus global incentives channel program, which has roughly 4500 partners with a $45M budget to drive incremental growth for the Cisco commercial business from a $65B addressable market size 
➡️	Responsible for program management - strategy, implementation, IT, evolution, planning, marketing, communication and daily operations with strong focus on program evolution, governance, and strategy alignment with company's vision.
➡️	Drove cross functional engagement to develop and build the global Partner Plus incentives program “DNA” such as global incentives structure, program terms and conditions, program enrollment, marketing and business plans, and virtual engineering support
➡️	Managed partner measurement and payment process of $45M Partner Plus Program.  Worked closely with global and regional program and finance teams to ensure accurate contra funds distribution
➡️	Developed best practices to ensure optimal partner experiences at the time of program enrollment to receiving their rebate incentives are as pleasant as possible
➡️	Drove alignment and engagement with several cross functional teams to implement global consistency and simplification within the program strategy and processes and allow flexibility at the regional level when possible
➡️	Supported and managed relationships with external vendors to manage business and operational aspects of program rewards funds management and payment processing
➡️	Developed analytics using large datasets to justify program’s performance - KPI’s, its effectiveness, ROI, and future growth projections
➡️	Leveraged SFDC platform to track and assist in resolving partner escalation issues 
➡️	Managed and supported Solution Technology Integrator (STI) program where Cisco rewards Enterprise and Service Providers partners on a joint integrated technology solutions via MOU contracts to drive broader solutions appeal and greater revenue for both Cisco and its partners

Global Channels Operations Program Manager

➡️	Successfully launched five global channel incentives end-to-end on the Partner Program platform
➡️	Led cross-functional impact assessments to gather requirements for global channel incentive rebate programs, e.g. Partner Plus, Cloud MDF, Value Incentive, Big Bets and Quick Bets MOUs, for enterprise, service provider and commercial partners
➡️	Authored a series of test scripts, use cases, BRDs and user stories
➡️	Worked in conjunction with IT Development to deliver system capabilities, documented and socialized in the BRD
➡️	Conducted business requirements reviews to ensure all user stories, use cases and business requirements were correctly captured
➡️	Oversaw end-to-end Business Acceptance (BAT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for quarterly and monthly system releases
➡️	Led multi-release, parallel-running deliverables from business requirement to the go-live and into production support phases
➡️	Headed cross-functional deep dives on as-is MOU program requirements; delivered findings to management to drive program decision-making processes
➡️	Noted and tended to communications and training needs to support IT releases; noted possible risks and anticipated risks in order to develop holistic plans to mitigate or address each
➡️	Offered production support for rebate programs using FIN-BI, PPI-BO and data analysis tools to note causes and offer solutions 
➡️	Integrated and systematically supported partner program registrations in SFDC from Cisco Partner Program Platforms

Senior Project Manager

➡️	Successfully launched Cisco Commerce Workspace (CCW), an enterprise ordering tool with built-in financial business requirements that took the place of a previously-used legacy model 
➡️	Defined project scope with senior management and stakeholders, including deliverables to support business goals 
➡️	Sustained executive relationships to achieve project deadlines; also held regular status meetings with project teams to keep everyone motivated and informed of organizational developments and corporate news developments
➡️	Tracked lessons learned and shared expertise with colleagues to ensure new processes were integrated into future efforts 
➡️	Created and executed project work plans; revised to adhere to evolving needs and requirements
➡️	Completed project documents; stored suitably in order to deliver projects on time to achieve functionality, quality and performance

Project Manager

➡️	Handled resource scheduling, definition and documentation; also held meetings and delivered presentations as a liaison between the Project Manager, Business, IT and Managed Services teams
➡️	Delivered functional metrics for Cisco Systems’ Business Support Center to drive compliance with corporate reporting structures 
➡️	Suggested process improvements to ensure operational excellence and enhance service sales experiences across the board
➡️	Offered third-level and normalization support for opportunity management tools: CSCC, IQT, SCC; proactively and interactively managed incidents using the Remedy and RightNow case management systems to track concerns
➡️	Communicated daily with each theater to understand their pain-points and achieve resolution by rolling out scalable, optimized solutions e.g. mapping out global support process for GSSO and the Proactive Business Monitoring process flows for theaters
➡️	Acted as the sole intermediary between the GSSO to Customer Service (CS); led daily functions and strategic efforts to identify and resolve communication breakdowns, process concerns and quote conversion failures in need of intervention
➡️	Directed the Quote Conversion Failed (QCF) Process; cooperated with Theater Leads and process/tool Owners to develop and map a process for each theater to resolve QCF issues efficiently without compromising established service-level agreements (SLAs)
➡️	Tackled noted issues and led data analyses to validate Technical Defects (TD) proposals for process teams to resolve
➡️	Offered daily service support, case analyses, and resolutions at the highest L3 level for global service support operations
➡️	Led the delivery of daily CSCC global support by identifying major tool defects and process breakdowns
➡️	Heightened the visibility of issues to the director level; working with solutions and process teams to drive global CSCC adoption as partners/customers transitioned from SCC/IQT service tools

Sr. Business Analyst

Also worked as a Business/Data/Market Analyst (2003-2005) and Business Analyst Intern (2002-2003) with Cisco Systems

Business Intelligence Analyst

Toastmasters International

➡️ Retained existing membership and drove membership growth
➡️ Collaborated with VP of Public Relations to expand club presence
➡️ Conducted induction ceremonies for new members
➡️ Ensured public speaking growth needs are met and supported and encouraged "everyone has an equal speaking opportunity" policy.

Vice President at Starseach Toastmasters

At Alpha Coast, we help career, executive coaches, recruiters and franchisors guide professionals at all levels in career transition. To date, we have generated $88M+ ARR in the last 5 Years for 400+ Coaches & counting:

Just to name a few, current clients hitting record growth within 3 short months:

🚀 Larnell Vickers - 3,530% ROI
🚀 Melissa Beaudet - 1,140% ROI
🚀 Briar Dougherty - 2,120% ROI
🚀 Kris Plemmons - 1,810% ROI
🚀 Maryse Williams - 1560% ROI
🚀 Johnny Walker - 1108% ROI
🚀 Ron Nash - 1095% ROI
and many more...

How do we do that?  Through our Client Accelerator™ Program, where we
✔️ Ensure that you have a strong positioning, messaging that resonates & an offer with a USP while validating that you have product-market-fit before we launch (DWY)
✔️ Build & infuse ready-to-buy inbound lead flow DAILY inside your business (DFY)
✔️ Train you on our proven, scalable sales process to book sales calls and convert inbounds into customers (DWY)
✔️ Work with you to solve your growing pains & remedy any bottlenecks before doubling the lead flow to double your revenue (DWY)

Additionally, you get step-by-step strategies to accelerate your growth, 1-on-1 support from a dedicated success account manager, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs.

Together we can make your dreams a reality because we believe that everyone deserves a chance at success!

The success of our members is at the heart of what we do. That's why we're committed to giving you the best advice possible and the most comprehensive support to help you reach your goals faster.

With AC, you'll have everything you need to craft your own success story.

We don't just want to see you succeed - we want to be part of it! 

Sincerely,
Kent Vanho 
Founder

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

"I was humming along ignorantly at 4-8 sales calls per week for about 5 years. With Alpha Coast, now I am leading 35-40 calls per WEEK...hitting $40k per month." Neil Schultz, Founder at CareerUpgrader

“Kent’s approach captures the speed of the market... His system works within days of beginning and has been a total game-changer for us.”
-Briar Dougherty, CEO & Founder of Career Organic

"The decision to partner with AlphaCoast was not one I took lightly. For months, I was skeptical about the value of such an investment.... my only regret is not having engaged with Kent and his team sooner, especially given that the initial investment was recouped within the first month." -Jessica Simko, Founder at Conscious Career Intelligence

You've made it this far; feel free to FOLLOW ME & visit AlphaCoast.com to learn more.

At AlphaCoast.com, we help coaches, consultants, and business owners add $1M ARR through inbound leads in 12 months or less. 

Just to name a few, current clients hitting records revenue growth within three short months:
Larnell Vickers - 3,530% ROI
Bob Britz - 1,810% ROI
Angie Bruhn - 2,560% ROI
Jamison Jacobs - 1,250% ROI
Briar Dougherty - 2,120% ROI
Dr. Jeffrey Maggee - 2,750% ROI
many, many more...

How do we do that?  Through our Client Profinder™ program:  It is an implementation program, not training, where we primarily focus on installing and refining the following core components of your business in order to scale to $1M ARR:
✔️ A solid online presence that commands credibility
✔️ A full pipeline of constant inbound leads who submit proposal inquiries daily
✔️ A refined proven process to book sales calls and convert them into customers
✔️ A scalable fulfillment process that can handle volume without limiting the quality of service

Additionally, you get step-by-step strategies to accelerate your growth, one-on-one support from a dedicated growth expert, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. 

Together we can make your dreams a reality because we believe that everyone deserves a chance at success!

The success of our members is at the heart of what we do. That's why we're committed to giving you the best advice possible and the most comprehensive support to help you reach your goals faster. 

With AlphaCoast.com, you'll have everything you need to craft your own success story. 

To learn more, meet me at AlphaCoast.com

Kent V.

Some people saw the winner in you.

Before you ever had proof.
Before you had results.
Before you had the confidence to say it out loud yourself.

Think about that for a moment.

Someone believed in you first.

Not because of your resume.
Not because of your track record.
Just because they saw something real in you.

Great leaders do that.

They hype you when you have nothing to show yet.
They see your potential before you recognize it.
They speak to your future, not your fears.

And that changes everything.

Here are 5 ways to show real gratitude to the people who supported you early:

1️⃣ Say thank you in real words
2️⃣ Lift someone else the way they lifted you
3️⃣ Keep doing the work they believed you could do
4️⃣ Be the kind of person people feel safe betting on
5️⃣ Tell them the exact moment that shifted things for you

Your story has their fingerprints all over it.

Do not forget the people who believed in you before the world did.

And if you want to pay it forward,
go believe in someone who is still learning to believe in themselves.

Who believed in your before you were ready?
Tag them in the comments 👇

♻ Repost this to help someone grow.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA  for more on careers, coaching, and business.

CEO at Alpha Coast | We scale career coaches from $5k to $50k/mo, with our Done-For-You Lead Gen service | On avg, clients achieve $20k per month in 3 months | 400+ Clients & counting | See case-studies in link below ⬇️

Harsh Truth:

Most people stay stuck, thinking about what they don’t have.

They think about rest when at work.

They think about work when at rest.

And this split drains people more than the workload itself.

Here’s what actually helps:

→ Work in clear blocks so you know when to stop
→ Move your body so stress has somewhere to go
→ Take real rest days so your mind can actually reset
→ End your day with a short review so tomorrow is lighter
→ Create a simple plan for the day so you are not guessing
→ Focus on one task at a time so your brain stops juggling
→ Turn off notifications during deep work so you get real progress

One focused hour beats five distracted hours.
One true day off beats a whole week of sloppy half rest.

You do not need perfect balance.
You need presence.

Work when it is time to work.
Rest when it is time to rest.

Life gets a lot clearer when you stop living it in your head.

What’s one thing you do that helps you stay present?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

These days leaders obsess over KPIs.
But they forget the most important ones are not numbers:

They are people.

Everyone wants better results.
Higher performance.
Clear progress.

But leaders often look at the scoreboard
before looking at the people who make the work move.

Here is the truth many avoid:

When leaders take care of their people,
People take care of the numbers.

A supported team tries harder.
A trusted team solves problems sooner.
A valued team stays focused when work gets heavy.

Here are the KPIs that matter long before any metric shows up:

1️⃣ Do people feel safe sharing their ideas
2️⃣ Do they understand what you expect from them
3️⃣ Do they feel appreciated in a way that is real
4️⃣ Do they get feedback they can use right away
5️⃣ Do they have the tools to do their best work
6️⃣ Do they believe you want them to grow
7️⃣ Do they feel steady, not tense, when you walk into the room

If these are strong, performance rises.
If these are weak, no dashboard can hide it.

The numbers reflect the environment you create.
The environment reflects how you lead.

Care for the people,
and the results will follow.

Which KPI are you focused on most right now?
Share it in the comments 👇

♻ Repost to help someone lead better
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

This will transform your growth 👇

Most people think learning is about reading a book…

Or listening to someone talk about a cool idea.

But real learning doesn’t work like that.

The stuff that sticks?
The stuff that actually changes you?

👉 You learn by doing.

Here’s what actually happens when you learn:

📚 10% from reading
🎧 20% from hearing
📺 50% from watching
💬 70% from talking it through
🎤 80% from teaching or presenting it
✍️ 90% from trying it yourself

Wild, right?

You don’t remember the podcast you half-listened to.
You remember the thing you applied the same day.

So if you want to grow faster…

Stop only reading it.
Stop only hearing it.

Start talking about it.
Start practicing it all the time.

That’s how you turn info into skill.

That’s how you grow faster… month after month.

What have you learned recently?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost to help someone grow
✅ Follow Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business

How to learn:

Everyone needs to hear this,

You can be a top-performer and still..

✅ Be unrecognized
✅ Be under-valued
✅ Be excluded

Like Reno Perry said:

Sometimes it’s not about effort...
it’s about outgrowing the environment that once fit you.

It starts quietly:

→ Your ideas hit walls instead of traction.
→ You stop feeling challenged by your clients.
→ The excitement that used to drive you now drains you.

That’s not burnout.
It’s a sign you’ve evolved past what got you here.

And here’s the truth:
Quitting can be the smartest move you’ll ever make.

If you’re feeling that pull right now, here’s what to do before you walk away:

1️⃣ Audit your energy
↳ Track what drains vs. fuels you. Clarity starts with awareness.

2️⃣ Protect your time
↳ Stop over-delivering in places that no longer align with your goals.

3️⃣ Redefine your vision
↳ Growth needs direction. Get clear on what you actually want next.

4️⃣ Build new options
↳ Don’t wait to “feel ready.” Start creating your next chapter now.

5️⃣ Exit with integrity
↳ Leave clean. Your reputation is your long-term brand equity.

Leaving doesn’t make you inconsistent.
It makes you intentional.

You’re not quitting.
You’re recalibrating.

When did you realize it was time to move on?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost if this hit home.
✅ Follow Kent Vanho, MBA for more clarity on scaling with purpose.

11 Truths That Upgrade Your Career
(learn them before it’s too late)

Most people learn these years later than they should.
And that delay slows their confidence, choices, and income.

Learn them early and your whole path speeds up.

Here’s what actually moves your career forward:

1. Hard work is not the strategy
→ People notice outcomes, not late nights
→ High effort without direction burns you out

2. Quiet work keeps you invisible
→ Value only counts when people can see it
→ Hidden impact limits your options fast

3. Skills expire faster than you expect
→ Every industry changes quicker each year
→ Fresh skills keep you flexible and ready

4. Busyness is not a winning brand
→ A packed schedule can hide poor priorities
→ Results build trust more than hours spent

5. Loyalty does not protect your role
→ Companies adjust quicker than people think
→ Staying stuck costs you growth long-term

6. Your network multiplies your options
→ Relationships open doors resumes cannot
→ Advocates help you get seen in bigger rooms

7. Raises rarely appear without action
→ Leaders need proof, not assumptions
→ Tie your work to visible improvements

8. Comfort slows your future down
→ Easy seasons make you stall quietly
→ Growth starts in places that feel new

9. Dream roles can drain you too
→ Perks do not fix being undervalued
→ A shiny job means nothing if you feel stuck

10. Your boss is not your career plan
→ Their goals shape your tasks, not your pathway
→ You decide what direction you grow toward

11. You will outgrow teams and old versions of you
→ It is normal to shift as you develop
→ Letting go creates room for real progress

Learning these early saves you years of sidesteps and confusion.
Your confidence rises.
Your decisions get sharper.
Your career finally moves forward instead of looping back.

Which truth hits you right now?
Drop it below. 👇

♻ Repost this if you found it useful.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

11 Truths that Upgrade your Career Instantly

Bad culture feels like a knot in your stomach every sunday night.

Great culture gives you peace of mind.

And no matter what a company claims, 
culture is really just how a place makes you feel every single day.

If people feel stressed, ignored, or worried all the time,
then the culture is broken, even if the branding looks perfect.

Here are 10 reasons your team dreads Monday morning:

1/ No one feels heard
→ ask for input, write it down, circle back with updates

2/ Leaders only show up when something is wrong
→ schedule regular check ins focused on progress, not problems

3/ Too many “urgent” messages
→ set response windows so people can actually unplug after work

4/ Unclear expectations
→ define goals in plain language so the team knows what “good work” looks like

5/ Tension that never gets addressed
→ call a 15 minute reset meeting to clear the air before it becomes toxic

6/ People feel replaceable
→ acknowledge effort directly, not through mass messages

7/ Feedback only arrives during mistakes
→ give small, frequent coaching moments during normal days

8/ Workloads are not managed
→ review capacity weekly so burnout is caught early, not late

9/ Trust is low inside the team
→ let people own tasks fully instead of redoing their work

10/ Everyone pretends everything is fine
→ start meetings with “what’s one thing we can improve this week” to get honest voices

Culture is a daily feeling, not a slogan.
And people stay where they feel supported, not drained.

Which point matters most in your workplace right now?
Share it below. 👇

♻ Repost this if you found it useful.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

Your phone is hijacking your brain.

(and poisoning your mental health)

Most people think they are stressed because life is busy.

But the real issue?
Their brain is overloaded from constant dopamine hits.
Every scroll gives a quick spike.
Every spike creates a crash.

And those crashes stack up fast.

This is why you feel drained, foggy, or unfocused.
Your brain is trying to recover from chaos it never asked for.

Here are 7 habits that keep frying your dopamine:

1️⃣ Checking your phone before you even get out of bed
↳ Your nervous system goes straight into overload
↳ You start the day with stress instead of calm

2️⃣ Scrolling whenever you feel bored
↳ Boredom is where creativity grows
↳ Overstimulation turns everything into noise

3️⃣ Reacting to every notification
↳ Each ping pulls your brain out of focus
↳ You lose more energy than you think

4️⃣ Using your phone to escape real life
↳ Avoiding problems makes them heavier
↳ The crash after feels worse than the stress before

5️⃣ Searching for quick pleasure when you feel low
↳ The boost is temporary
↳ The drop after hits harder than the high

6️⃣ Jumping between apps all day
↳ Your brain is not built for constant switching
↳ Mental fatigue builds quietly

7️⃣ Letting your phone guide your habits
↳ Without intention, it runs your entire day
↳ The more control it has, the less control you feel

Dopamine is not the enemy.
Your phone is not the enemy either.
Losing control of your attention is the real problem.

If you want to feel better mentally,
Use your phone less.
Use real life more.

Small changes make your brain stronger than you realize.

Which one hit you hardest?
Let’s discuss in the comments 👇

♻ Repost this to help your network.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

Your phone is hijacking your brain

These 16 skills pay you back forever.

Not because they’re popular, 
but because they’re timeless.

1/ Learn to sell with real conviction.
↳ If you can’t sell, you can’t scale, not your ideas, not your vision.

2/ Communicate clearly in every conversation.
↳ Clarity builds confidence. Confusion kills opportunity.

3/ Focus deeply on what actually matters.
↳ Depth compounds faster than distraction ever will.

4/ Manage your energy like your business depends on it.
↳ Because it does. Consistency beats intensity every time.

5/ Build systems that scale beyond your effort.
↳ Winners rely on habits. Leaders design repeatable growth.

6/ Listen fully before making any assumptions.
↳ You learn more by staying curious, not loud.

7/ Make decisions fast and refine as you go.
↳ Action creates clarity. Waiting creates doubt.

8/ Take feedback even when it stings.
↳ Growth rarely feels good in real time.

9/ Adapt quickly when conditions start changing.
↳ Flexibility keeps you in the game longer.

10/ Market yourself without feeling like you’re bragging.
↳ Visibility is a skill, not vanity.

11/ Manage money with discipline and foresight.
↳ If you don’t track it, you lose it.

12/ Think for yourself instead of following crowds.
↳ Original thinking separates players from leaders.

13/ Teach what you know to others.
↳ Impact multiplies when you pass it on.

14/ Lead yourself before trying to lead others.
↳ You can’t demand what you don’t demonstrate.

15/ Say no to protect your priorities.
↳ Every yes has an invisible cost.

16/ Stay curious long after you’ve “made it”.
↳ The minute you stop learning, you start fading.

The best skills don’t expire.
They compound, year after year, result after result.

Which one are you doubling down on right now? 
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost if it resonates.
✅ Follow Kent Vanho, MBA for more on growth, mindset, and leadership.

OKRs are your ambitious goals.

KPIs are how you track execution.

Ignore either... and your growth stalls.

Most coaches try to scale on feel.
But feel isn’t data.
And opinions don’t build predictable income.

OKRs set your direction.
KPIs prove you’re moving towards it.

Together?
They turn chaos into clarity.

OKRs (Objectives + Key Results)
Your blueprint for bold growth.

What They Do:

✔️ Turn big goals into clear outcomes.
✔️ Align your team behind one focus.
✔️ Make long-term strategy actionable now.

When To Use:

👉🏽 You’re scaling fast and need focus.
👉🏽 You’re setting quarterly priorities.
👉🏽 You want your team rowing in sync.

Ask Yourself:

→ What single result moves the needle most?
→ Are our goals stretching or playing safe?
→ Does everyone know what winning looks like?

End Goal:

Everyone’s clear on where you’re headed and how you’ll get there.

KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)

Your scoreboard for performance.

What They Do:

✔️ Show what’s working (and what’s not).
✔️ Keep growth consistent.
✔️ Flag problems before they blow up.

When To Use:

👉🏽 You want to measure stability.
👉🏽 You’re tracking ongoing systems.
👉🏽 You need visibility across the team.

Ask Yourself:

→ Which numbers prove we’re on track?
→ What early signs warn something’s off?
→ Are we tracking progress or just activity?

End Goal:

No guessing. Just clarity, consistency, and control.

TLDR:

OKRs = Where you’re headed.
KPIs = How you’ll get there.

Miss one... and you’re running in circles.

Are you using both to scale your coaching business right now? 👇🏽

♻ Repost to help your network.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

You’re probably wasting 15 to 20 hours every week.

These 8 frameworks reveal why:

1️⃣ Eisenhower Matrix
 ↳ A simple way to sort urgent and important work
 ↳ Stops you from treating every task like a fire
 ↳ Helps you spend more time on work that grows your value

2️⃣ RICE Scoring Model
 ↳ Based on reach, impact, confidence, and effort
 ↳ Removes bias and emotion from decisions
 ↳ Helps you pick projects that boost visibility and results

3️⃣ ICE Scoring Model
 ↳ A faster version of RICE using just three factors
 ↳ Allows you to rank ideas in minutes
 ↳ Reduces overthinking so you move quicker

4️⃣ WSJF Method
 ↳ Prioritises ideas with the biggest return for the least effort
 ↳ Exposes tasks that waste hours but add little value
 ↳ Positions you as someone who finds smart wins fast

5️⃣ OODA Loop
 ↳ Helps make sharp decisions in fast-moving situations
 ↳ Prevents overthinking or freezing
 ↳ Keeps you agile and ahead of change

6️⃣ RAPID Framework
 ↳ Clarifies who recommends, agrees, performs, gives input, and decides
 ↳ Removes confusion and friction around decision making
 ↳ Helps you lead cleaner meetings and build trust faster

7️⃣ Cynefin Framework
 ↳ Helps you assess whether a problem is simple or complex
 ↳ Avoids using one leadership style for every situation

8️⃣ Strategic Governance Rhythms
 ↳ Weekly, monthly, and quarterly check-ins to realign priorities
 ↳ Keeps your focus sharp instead of drifting
 ↳ Enables consistent growth—not just progress during a crisis

Your success is shaped less by effort and more by what you give effort to.

Use these frameworks so your time finally matches your goals.

Which one do you want a deeper breakdown on?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost if this helped you.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, growth systems, and simple leadership.

Most people think work-life balance means working less.

(they are so wrong)

It just means building a life that actually fits you.

Here is what helps:

1. Track your natural high-energy hours
→ Schedule your important work here and protect this time.

2. Notice when your focus drops
→ Shift to lighter tasks or take a short break instead of forcing it.

3. Build recovery into your day
→ Walks, quiet moments, or simple resets prevent burnout.

4. Create a weekly rhythm that supports your life
→ Work, family, health, and personal goals should all have space.

When you understand your energy, your days feel lighter and your output improves.

What part of your day drains you the fastest?
Share it in the comments 👇

♻ Repost this to help your network.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

The biggest mistake I made years ago,
is the same mistake I see people making every day..

They let self-doubt make decisions for them.

They say no before anyone else gets the chance to say yes.

You’d be surprised how many people self-reject before the world even does.

They don’t speak up in meetings.
They don’t apply for the job.
They don’t pitch the idea.
They don’t ask for help.

Not because they can’t...
But because they think they can’t.

That’s what self-doubt does,
It kills opportunity quietly.

If that’s you right now, here’s what helped me break the loop:

1️⃣ Do it scared.
↳ Waiting to feel ready means you’ll never start.

2️⃣ Borrow belief.
↳ If you can’t believe in yourself yet, borrow it from someone who does.

3️⃣ Act first, think later.
↳ Confidence doesn’t come before action... it comes from action.

Self-doubt might never disappear completely...
But courage gets louder every time you move anyway.

Your next win is one brave step away.

What’s one thing you’ll do today even if you’re unsure?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

9 Harsh Business Truths

(That accelerate your growth curve)

Everyone wants the rewards.
Few are ready for the reality.

Here are 9 truths every founder learns the hard way:

1️⃣ No one’s coming to save you
↳ Waiting kills more businesses than failure ever did.
↳ Momentum starts the moment you stop blaming and start building.
↳ Progress compounds once ownership becomes instinct, not effort.

2️⃣ Your idea means nothing without proof
↳ Passion doesn’t replace validation, data does.
↳ The market only rewards problems solved, not stories told.
↳ Get it live, get feedback, then iterate faster than anyone else.

3️⃣ You will lose people along the way
↳ Growth changes your pace, not everyone keeps up.
↳ Some leave because your success mirrors what they won’t chase.
↳ Protect your peace by surrounding yourself with builders, not bystanders.

4️⃣ Momentum hides weak foundations
↳ Growth exposes every shortcut you made early.
↳ What you ignore at $10K becomes chaos at $100K.
↳ Fix structure now or you’ll rebuild it under pressure later.

5️⃣ Your emotions can ruin your business
↳ Reacting fast feels powerful, until it costs you clarity.
↳ The calmest person in the room usually wins.
↳ When in doubt, slow the decision, not the discipline.

6️⃣ You can’t hire your way out of poor leadership
↳ Great hires fail under bad direction.
↳ If they don’t know where you’re going, they can’t move fast.
↳ Lead with clarity first, competence follows.

7️⃣ Not every opportunity is a good one
 ↳ Distraction is dressed up as opportunity 90% of the time.
 ↳ Saying no sharpens focus; saying yes to everything dulls it.
 ↳ Depth beats expansion when you’re building for endurance.

8️⃣ Most people won’t understand your drive
 ↳ Your ambition will look like obsession to average minds.
 ↳ Don’t explain vision to people who’ve never built one.
 ↳ Keep your energy for execution, not convincing.

9️⃣ Your business will only grow as fast as you do
 ↳ Stagnant founders create stagnant cultures.
 ↳ New levels need new habits, not new logos.
 ↳ Upgrade your mindset before upgrading your metrics.

Business doesn’t reward comfort.
It rewards those who stay honest, adapt fast, and keep showing up.

Which truth hit hardest for you?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✅ Follow me @Kent Vanho for more on careers, coaching, and business.

9 Harsh Business Truths

Good managers manage.

Great leaders change people.

A good coach is not here to keep you comfortable.

They pull you into discomfort,
into honesty,
Into reality.

Most people think growth feels smooth.
It does not.
Real growth sounds like:

“I do not know if I am ready.”
“This feels uncomfortable.”
“This scares me.”

And that is exactly where things start to shift.

A strong coach does not give you every answer.

They help you find them.
They challenge your patterns.
They invite you into bigger responsibilities.
They believe in the version of you that you have not stepped into yet.

I have seen it again and again at Alpha Coast.

The people who grow the fastest are not always the most experienced.
They are the ones who:

✓ Learn quickly
✓ Take feedback without shutting down
✓ Adjust their approach when needed
✓ Step forward even when they feel unsure

Pressure does not grow people.
Belief does.
Accountability does.
Honest coaching does.

A coach changes you by helping you see what you avoid,
by asking the questions that make you pause,
and by refusing to let you shrink.

If you want real growth, find someone who does not let you hide.
Comfort keeps you the same.
Coaching moves you forward.

Which part of this lands most for you today?
Share it below 👇

♻ Repost this to support someone who wants to grow.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

Nothing hits harder than achieving your goals and realizing they weren’t your own.

You did everything right.

Climbed the ladder.
Got the title.
Made the money.
Still... something feels off.

Because this is what we’re taught success looks like:

🏆 Impressive job title
💰 Big annual salary
🏠 Expensive house

But here’s what success actually looks like:

✅ Desire to progress
✅ Control of your time
✅ Work you’re proud of
✅ The challenge to grow
✅ Making your own choices
✅ Working with great people

Success isn’t about reaching the top.
It’s about rising on your own terms.

The goal isn’t to live someone else’s dream.
It’s to build a life that feels like yours.

If you’ve ever hit a milestone and felt... nothing,
that's your sign to redefine what winning really means.

What does success look like to you right now?
Drop it below 👇

♻ Repost this if it resonated with you.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

90% of companies fail to deliver their strategy.

Here is how the top 5% execute:

Most businesses don’t fail from bad ideas.
They fail from bad alignment.

Strategy isn’t about doing more.
It’s about executing what matters.

This 9-Pillar Pyramid keeps your business clear, focused, and moving.

It’s built around three layers: 
Purpose strategy and execution.

Here are the essentials you need to exec

1️⃣ PURPOSE

Mission
→ What impact are we here to make?

For us at Alpha Coast that’s helping coaches build businesses that create freedom, not burnout.

Values
→ What do we stand for?

Vision
→ What does success look like when we get there?

2️⃣ STRATEGY

Strategic Intent
→ What big goals are we chasing?

For Alpha Coast it’s:
↳ Help Coaches Build Predictable Client Acquisition Systems 
↳ Empower Coaches to Scale Beyond 1:1 Coaching 
↳ Create a Self-Sustaining Growth Ecosystem (Clients → Case Studies → Community)

Drivers
→ What fuels our growth and client results?

At Alpha Coast what fuels us is:
↳ Precision Targeting of the 3% “Ready-to-Buy” Market 
↳ Done-With-You Partnership Model (Not Just Software) 
↳ Client-Centric Continuous Optimization Loop

Enablers
→ How do we protect the resources that matter most?



3️⃣ EXECUTION

Targets & Initiatives
→ What are the clear, measurable moves that shift results fast?

Performance Indicators
→ How do we track what’s working and what’s not?

Accountability system
→ What routines keep us consistent?

- - - - - - - - - 

When each person knows why they matter and how they move the mission,
growth compounds.

Miss one pillar, and the whole thing starts shaking.

So if your growth feels stuck,
Use this strategy framework to maximize your execution.

♻ Repost this to help your network.
 ✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

The most successful people have this in common:

Someone who believed in them before they made it.

Because belief builds people.

You can have all the skill in the world...
but sometimes it takes one person to say “I see you”, before you see it yourself.

That’s how confidence starts.
Not from certainty... but from borrowed belief.

For me, it was someone who reminded me,
“You’re not stuck... you’re just scared.”

That one sentence changed everything.

Because when someone believes in you,
they don’t just lift your confidence...
they change your direction.

If you’ve ever had that kind of person, you know the power of it.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1/ Borrow belief until you build your own.
↳ That’s not weakness, it’s how growth begins.

2/ Be that person for someone else.
↳ One “you’ve got this” can rewrite someone’s future.

3/ Never forget who believed first.
↳ Loyalty starts with gratitude.

The truth is...
Success isn’t built alone.
It starts with one believer.

Who believed in you before success showed up?
Tag them below 👇

♻ Repost to remind someone they matter.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

Experience looks great on paper.

Attitude wins in real life.

You can train almost any skill...
But you can’t teach hunger, humility, or heart.

I’ve seen people join Alpha Coast with zero background in lead gen...
And within months, they’re running projects like seasoned pros.

Why?
Because they show a desire to:

✅ Learn fast
✅ Take feedback without taking it personal
✅ Flex their approach when plans change
✅ Step up when more responsibility shows up

Those traits turn good employees into future leaders.

When you hire, don’t just look for what’s on paper.
Look for curiosity, consistency, and coachability.

Because skills fade...
Attitude compounds.

That’s how we build winning teams at Alpha Coast.
Hungry people who grow with us, not just work for us.

♻ Repost this to help a leader hire smarter.
✅ Follow me Kent Vanho, MBA for more on careers, coaching, and business.

40+ Linkedin Money-Making-Influence Resources I Toxic Boss Immunity I Frequency of INFLUENCE: ETHICAL PERSUASION I $20k Brain-Based Sales System | HarvardX Neuroscience Research I Keynote 🎤 I X-Microsoft I Captain ⛵

$20k Monthly Brain Based Sales System Without Chasing the "Yes"

You know the feeling:
😳 Your brain lights up with “What if they think I’m pushy?” the second you open a DM.
😬 You’d rather post and pray the right people find you than risk being ghosted.
😅 You tell yourself that if you were really good, clients would just show up.

You don’t want to fake connection just to pitch.
You want sales that feels human. Real conversations, not pressure tactics.

You’re not bad at sales.
Your brain is just protecting you.

The amygdala flags rejection as danger.
Your prefrontal cortex freezes.
And boom hesitation, overthinking, silence.

That’s where my work comes in.
I teach the Neuroscience of No-Pressure Sales so you can sell with calm confidence instead of fear.

No scripts. No manipulation.
Just science, psychology, and simple tools to retrain your nervous system so selling feels natural again.

When your brain is relaxed, your authenticity returns.
You stop pitching and start connecting.
Outreach stops feeling like an intrusion and starts feeling like service.

This is sales made easy for coaches who hate selling.

✨ Ways to get started with me:

✅ If you're a coach DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a business owner DM me "Butter"
✅ If you're a sales leader DM me "Butter"
✅ Attend my next workshop for FREE BRAIN BASED SALES SECRETS. https://forms.gle/HvTRDEZEuu7bgQEF8
✅ Subscribe to the Be Like Butter Bugle: Weekly brain hacks for resilience and influence. https://synaptic-solutions.kit.com/newsletter

Personal interests: 
- Captain ⛵️ 
- Recovering Sugar Addict 🍭 
- Trash TV consumer 🗑️

Sales Coach | Toxic Boss Coach | Neuroscience Coach | Executive Coach | Master Behavioral Strategist | Speaker | Advisor | Expert | 7 figures | Virtual Speaking | Sales Performance Brain Hacker | Mindset Coach I Corporate Trainer I Influence I Key Note Speaker

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀

Leaders don't do things for you. 

They inspire you to grow into someone who can do them 

Your brain's mirror neurons are fascinating...

When we observe great leadership, 
Our neural networks literally reshape themselves 🧠

Here's what happened in my team's brains 
When I shifted from problem-solver to growth catalyst:

1️⃣ Neural Leadership Networks
↳ Prefrontal cortex activation in decision-making up 
↳ Stress response pathways decreased
↳ Reward circuits fired during problem-solving

2️⃣ Learning Circuit Activation
↳ Neuroplasticity peaked during challenges
↳ Dopamine loops strengthened team bonds
↳ Cognitive flexibility increased 

3️⃣ Performance Neuroscience
↳ Cortisol levels dropped 
↳ Oxytocin boosted trust signals
↳ Group synchronization improved

Science shows: When leaders step back,
The team's collective neural networks step up.

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

PS: What neural pathway did your best leader help you strengthen? 🧠

Video credit: Unlnown

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share to build stronger leadership brains
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

The hard things you avoid 

Are the exact things that free you

Most people avoid the hard stuff.
Not because they are lazy.
Because their brain is trying to protect them.

The prefrontal cortex wants long term wins
But the amygdala wants immediate comfort
So every hard task feels like a threat
And your brain tells you to delay it
Even when it hurts you later.

Here is how to flip the switch
So your brain stops fighting you
And starts working for you.

1/ Reduce the threat signal
 Big tasks feel dangerous
 So your brain freezes
 Break the task into the smallest next move
 Science: Small steps lower amygdala activity
 And increase dopamine for starting

2/ Front load the friction
 Do the hardest task first
 Before your brain is overloaded
 Science: Your decision making power is highest early
 And cortisol rises as the day goes on

3/ Create a reward loop
 Your brain needs a reason to try
 Pair the hard task with a positive cue
 Tea, music, a small celebration
 Science: Dopamine releases faster
 When a reward is tied to effort, not outcomes

When you train your brain to face hard things
You stop leaking energy
You build momentum
And the tough stuff becomes automatic

P.S. Whats your best procrastination buster? 

Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

Video Credit: Unknown

-----------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon  to get more brainy tips
♻️ Repost to help more people train their brain to thrive

I used to shrink parts of myself to fit into corporate.

It quietly drained the life out of my ideas (and me).

At the time, I thought success required self-erasure.
I hit every goal on the board.
But I felt empty.

 🧠 Promotions
 🧠 Pay raises
 🧠 Prestige

None of it mattered.
My spark was gone.
And so was my creativity.

Have you ever noticed how your brain invents ideas
When you’re not even trying?

Your imagination lights up your neural networks
Like a synchronized light show.

Brain imaging reveals that
Most of your regions activate during visualization.

Here’s what fuels your imagination 👇

1/ Your Brain’s Creative Engine
 ↳ Default Mode Network turns on as the PFC steps back
 ↳ Memory blends with emotion to create new associations
 ↳ Your brain recombines patterns without limits

2/ The Moment Insight Strikes
 ↳ Gamma bursts peak during big realizations
 ↳ Hippocampus sends raw material to the DMN
 ↳ New pathways strengthen the more you play with ideas

3/ Your Creativity Enhancement Tools
 ↳ Take short intentional pauses for DMN activation
 ↳ Change scenes to trigger fresh circuitry
 ↳ Welcome boredom because it sparks innovation

Creativity is not magic.
It is a neural process you can train.
All you need is the space and permission to
Reconnect with curiosity and let your mind roam.
Don’t lose your spark chasing goals that dim you.

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

PS: When does your imagination run wild?

Video Credit: Unknown

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share to help others reclaim their creativity
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based growth insights

Your brain won't save you.

Your heart will. 

For two weeks, I volunteered to help rescue animals.
Feeding, cleaning, comforting the scared and the broken.

They had nothing to give back
but showing up still felt right.

Because giving changes you.
It pulls you out of fear and back into purpose.

And right now, the world needs more of that.
 💔 People are hurting.
 💔 Jobs disappearing.
 💔 Markets spiraling.
 💔 Stress levels through the roof.

Everyone’s doing their best just to stay afloat.
But when everything feels unstable,
most people grip tighter.
They try to control.
They chase.
They push harder for the “yes.”

That’s exactly why it stops working.
The brain senses pressure and shuts down trust.
You can’t sell, serve, or lead from scarcity.
You can only do it from calm generosity.

That’s why I’m giving away what I’ve learned.
The exact framework that helped me break free from corporate,
build consistency on my own,
and stop chasing clients who weren’t ready.

It’s called Stop Chasing the Yes.
A workshop to help you
 – Build your own predictable client system
 – Shift from pressure to presence in every conversation
 – Lead with calm confidence instead of fear

If you’ve been giving everything and still feel stuck,
this is your next step.

Because giving works best
when you give to yourself too.

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

P.S. Do you volunteer, if so where?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Shannon for more neuroscience tools for calm influence
♻️ Repost to help others give without burning out

The only true failure in life is quitting. 

Success is never a straight line. It certainly wasn't for me.

I've had many failures and setbacks along my path.
Layoffs.
Failed ventures.
Bad investments. 

Life is messy. 
Mess is a part of life.

Enjoy the messiness. 
And, your brain kinda likes it messy too.

Why your brain craves zigzag paths 🧠

(The science of why progress feels so messy) 👇

Your neural pathways aren't built in straight lines
And neither is your path to greatness
Here's what's really happening in your brain:

1️⃣ The Neural Reality
↳ Growth pathways form through trial and error
↳ Each "failure" strengthens neural connections
↳ Your brain requires contrast to learn

2️⃣ The Resilience Loop
↳ Setbacks activate problem-solving networks
↳ Stress actually enhances memory formation
↳ Recovery periods boost cognitive flexibility

3️⃣ The Growth Paradox
↳ Progress activates dopamine reward system
↳ Plateaus create new neural foundations
↳ Breakthroughs happen during apparent standstills

Your "messy" journey is how your brain is designed to learn and grow.

P.S. What was your latest messiness?

Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

Video Credit: Unknown

-------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you're ready to embrace the zigzag
➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based insights

Most people’s LinkedIn strategy: grind harder and hope

Mine: close clients while living life on my own schedule

I’ve wandered through the Greek islands
- Boat rides to hidden beaches
- Mornings working with seaside views
- A weekend in Skopelos without realizing it was a movie set

I spent a month in Athens
- Day trips to Agistri, turquoise blue waters
- Afternoons coaching clients

Why am I sharing this?
 Because your brain says “that’s not for me”
 Because it tells you to stick with the familiar
 (It’s called comfort bias and it keeps you stuck)

But here’s what no one will tell you:
If you want it, this life is closer than you think

Here’s how your brain makes it happen:

1️⃣ The Belief Reset
 ↳ Your brain avoids what feels out of reach
 ↳ Turn “impossible” into doable with simple shifts
 ↳ Stack wins until change feels normal

2️⃣ The LinkedIn Advantage
 ↳ Know what your ideal client looks for before they decide
 ↳ Post and message in ways that feel safe and personal
 ↳ Use a system that works even while you’re away

3️⃣ The Lifestyle Flywheel
 ↳ Every yes starts before the offer is made
 ↳ Match your approach to their decision process
 ↳ That’s how I work from coastlines and mountain trails

The point?

It’s not about more work
It’s about the right work for the brain

I am offering a once in a lifetime DONE FOR YOU SYSTEM
For One Month, I will revamp your LI system
- ICP Subtext Discovery 
- LI Optimization
- DM Framework that gets sales calls
- 1 month of content that gets inbound leads
- Engagement that builds your reach

I will only take ONE client. 
If you want me to build your system,
the way I went from 3k to 50k followers, then DM me
"DFY Butter" and we'll chat.

P.S. Where would you take your laptop first?
P.P.S. Pic from Poseidon's Temple (10/10)
-----------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if your goal is freedom without the hustle
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales strategies

One more trip around the sun.

It's been a doozy.

Every birthday, I pause and reflect on my last year.
This year was the year that stretched me in every direction.

I lost my favorite person (my Belley Bean)
That loss began an 8 month walkabout across the globe.

I found my spiritual side.
I found strength I didn't know I had.

I escaped 3 typhoons
I sailed the Mediterranean
I ate the most amazing food 
I chopped a bajillion bananas
I swam in the Blue Cave in Croatia
I cared for 140 elephants and 700 dogs
I got bit and headbutted by deer in Nara
I moved what felt like a million watermelons
I spoiled myself at a Japanese Onsen regularly
I calmly navigated a stalker sitch right up to my airplane 
I lost a toenail trying an advanced yoga post in Cabo San Lucas

I missed my family.
I missed my friends.

I grew.
I grew so much.
I think I grew more this year than any year before.

I admired the precision of Japanese trains.
I learned Thai people do not use chopsticks.
I went from a 3k to 50k community in 8 months.
I was stunned by the beauty of the Greek islands.
I made new friends in the most unexpected places.
I built a predictable, brain-based revenue machine.
I helped countless clients do the same for their businesses.

This year was not easy.
It was not predictable.
But it was deeply transformative.

Here is to another year of becoming.
Here is to letting go, leaning in, and staying open.

And if you are reading this…
Thank you for being part of my journey.

P.S. Today, I am Seattle celebrating!
Wanna celebrate with me?

I am offering a once in a lifetime DONE FOR YOU SYSTEM
For One Month, I will revamp your LI system
- ICP Subtext Discovery 
- LI Optimization
- DM Framework that gets sales calls
- 1 month of content that gets inbound leads
- Engagement that builds your reach

I will only take ONE client. 
If you want me to build your system,
the way I went from 3k to 50k followers, then DM me
"DFY Butter" and we'll chat.

-----------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if your goal is freedom without the hustle
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales strategies

You have more answers than you think. 

You just don't know it...yet.

Most people say they want to think outside the box.
But few ever leave it.

Because the box feels safe.
It’s made of habits, rules, and comfort.
It’s your brain’s way of protecting you from uncertainty.

But that same safety is what keeps you small.
Every great idea, every business, every leap
starts the moment you question the walls around you.

When you think differently, new neural pathways fire.
Your prefrontal cortex lights up.
Dopamine releases as you connect unfamiliar dots.
That’s not chaos. That’s creativity.

Thinking outside the box trains your brain to
🧠 see possibilities instead of patterns,
🧠 stay adaptable when the world shifts,
🧠 and turn fear into curiosity instead of paralysis.

Inside the box, life feels predictable.
Outside, it feels alive.

If you want freedom, income, and purpose,
you can’t just color outside the lines.
You have to stop believing they’re even there.

That’s the work we do inside my workshop
Because the world doesn’t reward safety.
It rewards those who think beyond it.

🧠 Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

Usually, the answer is already within you 
(channeling Yoda today).

P.S. When was the last time you already knew the answer...you just had to remember you did?

Video credit: Unlnown

---------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Shannon for more neuroscience tools for clarity and creativity
♻️ Repost to help more people break out of their mental box

Persuasion isn't manipulation

Persuasion is making the prospect feel safe.

The top 8 secrets to ethically persuade 👇

Most people think persuasion means convincing or winning.
But real persuasion begins in calm awareness.
Your nervous system leads the conversation 
Long before your words do.
When your energy is steady, others feel safe to open.

Here's the 8 secret ways to ethically persuade

1️⃣ Regulate before you relate
 Take one slow breath before you speak.
 This quiets the body and steadies your focus.
 Your calm signals safety and builds connection.

2️⃣ Lead with curiosity
 Ask questions that invite reflection.
 “What feels most challenging right now?”
 Curiosity keeps the brain open and the energy light.

3️⃣ Validate before you redirect
 When people hesitate, meet them with empathy.
 “I understand why you’d feel that way.”
 Validation relaxes tension and rebuilds trust.

4️⃣ Keep autonomy intact
 People need to feel in control of their choices.
 Invite, don’t push.
 “Would you like to explore this together?”

5️⃣ Reframe with clarity
 Fear narrows focus, clarity opens it again.
 Ask, “What might shift if this were already solved?”
 It helps people see beyond the problem.

6️⃣ Align around shared intention
 Focus on what matters to both of you.
 “We both want this to create real results.”
 Shared purpose turns pressure into partnership.

7️⃣ Match energy before guiding change
 People follow what feels familiar.
 First, attune to their tone and pace.
 Then gently guide the conversation toward calm and clarity.

8️⃣ End with clarity, not pressure
 Unfinished conversations keep the mind spinning.
 Summarize, confirm, and close the loop.
 “Are you ready to get started?"

Ethical persuasion is calm, curious, and choice-based.
🧠 Regulate first. 
🧠 Match energy. 
🧠 Keep autonomy strong.

That’s how influence becomes trust.

P.S. Have you ever felt pressured to buy?

Starting up my workshops again!
Learn how to build a $20k - No Chasing the Yes - Sales System
Apply here --> https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Shannon for more brain-based sales tools
 ♻️ Repost to help more people influence with integrity

Lighting someone else's candle doesn't dim yours.

It just makes the room brighter.

Helping others shine doesn't dim your light.
Your brain actually glows brighter when you lift people up.

Most people think helping drains energy.
Neuroscience shows it does the opposite.
Your brain rewards contribution.
It expands your capacity, not shrinks it.

Here are 3 ways helping others strengthens your brain 👇
1️⃣ Your reward system lights up
✔️ Kindness boosts dopamine
 Dopamine lifts motivation and focus
 Your flame grows, not fades

2️⃣ Your connection circuits strengthen
✔️ Support boosts oxytocin
 Oxytocin builds trust and safety
 Your brain gets more resilient

3️⃣ Your creative networks open
✔️ Giving lowers stress chemicals
 Lower stress frees the prefrontal cortex
 Ideas flow easier when your heart is open

Lifting others isn't self sacrifice.
It's self expansion.
Your brain shines brighter
every time you help someone rise.

P.S. What's the last time someone lit your flame?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain based insights
♻️ Repost to help someone light up today

The number 1 reason you’re invisible on Linkedin...

You aren't breaking through the RAS filter

Your prospect never sees most of what you say.
Their brain deletes it before it gets inside.

The Reticular Activating System filters everything.
It looks for relevance, novelty, safety, and clarity.
If your message feels routine, it gets ignored.
If it feels vivid and personal, it gets through.
Here are ten ways to pass the filter fast.

1/ Pattern breaks win
Don’t start predictable
Do open with novelty
Science: RAS flags newness first

2/ Short lines keep attention
 Don’t write long blocks
 Do use simple spacing
 Science: Low load keeps thinking open

3/ Make it about them
Don’t lead with yourself
Do mirror their world
Science: RAS checks for self relevance

4/ Signal credibility fast
Don’t over explain
Do give one strong proof
Science: Fast heuristics shape trust

5/ Use micro commitments
Don’t push for yes
Do ask tiny questions
Science: Micro wins open dopamine

6/ Use visual outcomes
Don’t stay vague
Do paint clear images
Science: RAS tags vivid scenes

7/ Match their energy
Don’t push your pace
Do mirror tone
Science: Mirror neurons sync fast

8/ Validate their words
Don’t jump to fixes
Do echo their phrasing
Science: Neural validation needs match

9/ Create safety, not pressure
Don’t force urgency
Do slow the tempo
Science: Threat shuts attention down

10/ Give one next step
Don’t dump info
Do guide clearly
Science: Sequence reduces neural noise

When you speak to the brain instead of the ego
You stop sounding like everyone else
You bypass resistance
You increase trust
And your message finally lands

P.S. Which one has worked for you??

Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe
Dec 15 - 11am - 2pm PST

----------------------------------------------------------------
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon  to get more brainy tips
♻️ Repost to help more people train their brain to thrive

Persuasion isn’t pressure.

Persuasion is helping someone feel safe.

Here are 8 ethical persuasion swaps that actually work 👇

Most people try to persuade with logic or force.
But the brain listens to safety signals first.
When you protect autonomy and reduce threat,
People open up, not shut down.

Here are the 8 upgrades:

1️⃣ Regulate before you relate
❌ Don’t say: 
“Let me just explain why this makes sense.”

✅ Say this:
“Before we dive in, take a breath. I want this to feel clear.”

🔬Science:
 A calm nervous system sends safety cues.
 Their mirror neurons match your steadiness, lowering resistance.

2️⃣ Lead with curiosity
❌ Don’t say:
 “Here’s what you need to do.”

✅ Say this:
 “What feels hardest about this right now?”

🔬 Science:
 Curiosity keeps the amygdala quiet.
 Questions activate the prefrontal cortex, the part that evaluates options calmly.

3️⃣ Validate before redirecting
❌ Don’t say:
 “I understand, but…”

✅ Say this:
 “It makes sense you’d feel that way.”

🔬 Science:
 Validation reduces cortisol.
 It signals “You’re safe to express hesitations,” which reopens trust pathways.

4️⃣ Protect autonomy
❌ Don’t say:
 “You should really move forward.”

✅ Say this:
 “Want to explore this together?”

🔬 Science:
Autonomy is a core human need.
When someone feels in control, dopamine rises and decision-making improves.

5️⃣ Reframe with clarity
❌ Don’t say:
 “You’re overthinking this.”

✅ Say this:
 “What might shift if this were already solved?”

🔬 Science:
Reframing widens cognitive perspective.
It moves the brain out of threat mode and into problem-solving mode.

6️⃣ Align intentions
❌ Don’t say:
 “I just want you to see my point.”

✅ Say this:
 “We both want a solution that actually works for you.”

🔬 Science:
Shared goals increase oxytocin.
Oxytocin boosts collaboration and reduces defensiveness.

7️⃣ Match energy before guiding
❌ Don’t say:
 “Relax, it’s not a big deal.”

✅ Say this:
 “I hear how this feels for you. Let’s slow it down together.”

🔬Science:
Attunement regulates the nervous system.
The brain trusts what feels familiar before it trusts new direction.

8️⃣ Close with clarity, not pressure
❌ Don’t say:
 “So… are you ready or not?”

✅ Say this:
 “Here’s what the next step looks like. Does this feel right to you?”

🔬 Science:
Clear choices reduce cognitive load.
When the brain knows the path, uncertainty drops—and commitment rises.

Ethical persuasion is simple:
 🧠 Lower threat
 🧠 Raise clarity
 🧠 Protect autonomy

That’s how influence becomes trust.

P.S. Ever notice how pressure makes you want to run?

My workshops are open again.
Learn how to build a $20k No Chasing the Yes Sales System
Apply here → https://lnkd.in/eZRF_jZe

----------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain-based sales tools
♻️ Repost to help more people influence with integrity

Your answers are already in your head.

You just have to slow down long enough to hear them.

Your brain holds ideas you have not discovered yet.
But it cannot reveal them when you never pause.
Creativity needs space.
Insight needs quiet.

Most people overwork their minds.
But the brain solves problems when you stop trying.
Silence activates deeper networks.
Boredom lets ideas rise to the surface.

Here are 3 ways to access the answers inside you 👇
1️⃣ Give your brain boredom time
✔️ Take short breaks without your phone
 Boredom activates the default mode network
 This is where creativity lives

2️⃣ Use quiet as a tool
✔️ Sit still for a few minutes
 Quiet reduces noise in the prefrontal cortex
 Your thoughts get clearer and sharper

3️⃣ Let your mind wander
✔️ Go for a slow walk with no agenda
 Wandering boosts pattern recognition
 Your brain connects ideas without force

You are not stuck.
Your mind just needs room to speak.
When you rest it, it reveals what you need.
The answers show up when the noise drops.

P.S. When is the last time you surprised yourself?

BIG NEWS! SALES SAGE IS LIVE!
See the truth your reps won’t say out loud (before it blows up your number)
Taking 100 beta testers - 14 day free trial
Minority Report for Sales Teams
https://salessage.co/ 

Video Credit: Unknown

----------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for more brain based insights
♻️ Repost if your best ideas hit you in the quiet moments

Get sh#t done even when you don’t feel like it

(using neuroscience)

Procrastination isn't a time management problem. 
It’s an emotion management problem.

Natan Mohart put this very cool caro together
Follow him if you don't already

7 ways to get sh#t done 
Even when your brain says nope

Your brain resists for a reason
It is wired for safety not progress
So when you freeze nothing is wrong with you
Your nervous system is protecting you

Here is how to move anyway
1/ Name the state
 When you label what you feel
 your threat response drops
 Clarity replaces chaos
 → Say I feel pressure not I am failing
 → Describe the body sensation

2/ Reduce the friction
 Your brain avoids heavy starts
 Make the first step tiny
 so momentum becomes possible
 → Set up your space in advance
 → Break the task into one micro move

3/ Reward bundle the hard stuff
 Dopamine drives action
 Pair the difficult task with something you enjoy
 so your brain stops resisting
 → Music you only use for work
 → A small treat linked to completion

4/ Shift the channel
 Your state creates your output
 Move your body to reset your brain
 before starting
 → Three minute movement break
 → Change rooms or posture

5/ Borrow future you
 Your brain listens to identity
 Act from the version of you
 who already finishes things
 → Ask what future you would choose
 → Take one small step as that version

6/ Time box the resistance
 Open ended tasks feel unsafe
 A short container makes your brain relax
 and frees up energy
 → Ten minute sprints
 → Stop when the timer rings

7/ Celebrate micro evidence
 Small wins train your brain
 to expect progress
 and repeat it
 → Track tiny completions
 → Acknowledge what you did well out loud

Your brain learns from action not intention
Teach it that forward movement is safe
and it will follow you every time

P.S. What tactic works for you when you’re a nope?

----------------------------------------------------------------

➕ Follow Natan Mohart & Shannon to get more brainy tips
♻️ Repost to help more people train their brain to thrive

How to Get Sh#t Done Using Neuroscience

Your biggest risk is the rep who says they're "fine."

Your rep's "fine," is eerily similar to your spouse's "fine."

TL:DR It's definitely not "fine."

You don't lose a quarter in one moment.
You lose it in tiny blind spots.

A rep who says they're fine.
A pipeline that looks clean.
A deal that feels safe until it slips.

Then your forecast cracks.
Your VP starts asking questions.
And you wonder what you missed.

What every manager thinks but never says out loud:

You're managing stories, not data.
Your team tells you what feels safe to say.
Not what protects your number.

Sales Sage shows you the parts they leave out.
A simple 10 minute pulse surfaces early risk.

😶‍🌫️ Stress signals. 
😶‍🌫️ Confidence drops.
😶‍🌫️ Hidden struggles that turn into missed targets...
If you catch them too late.

We give you visibility your dashboards say they give you
But can't

The minority report for sales teams. 
14-day free beta: https://salessage.co for early adopters

Your clean pipeline is the biggest red flag.

Silence and perfection always come before surprises.

Every dashboard looks clean.
Every rep sounds confident.
Every pipeline looks alive.
Until the moment it’s not.

Reps hide struggle.
They mask doubt.
They soften bad news.
And you hear it too late.

Bad quarters don’t start in QBRs.
They start in silence.
SalesSage breaks that silence.
Ten minutes.
One pulse.
Full clarity.

Signals you can’t see alone.
Patterns no CRM reveals.
Early warnings before the miss.

If you want fewer surprises
and more control over your number
start your free 14 day trial:
https://salessage.co/

See what your team won’t say out loud.
Save the quarter before it slips.

P.S. When is the last time a squeaky clean pipeline bit you in the butt?

------------------------------------------------------

♻️ Share if you’re done with guessing
➕ Follow 🧠 Shannon for brain based sales insights

taplio

The Battle

Kent V.

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreKent V.'s LinkedIn Performance

Performance Score🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Kent V.

🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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);}Kent V.'s LinkedIn Performance

Performance Score🧠 Shannon Smith, J.D., M.S. 🚀's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreKent V.'s LinkedIn Performance