Zoltan A. Vardy

I teach B2B founders how to close more enterprise deals faster using The Launch Code 🚀 Generated $2 billion in B2B revenue in my 30-year career📣 Speak about B2B sales & entrepreneurship

Struggling to sell your B2B tech product, even though you know it’s great?

I’ve been there. After 30 years in B2B sales — from leading $150M revenue teams at NBCUniversal to building my own startup — I’ve closed $2B in revenue by learning how to make skeptical buyers say “yes.”

That’s why I built The Launch Code, a proven blueprint trusted by 200+ founders in 26 countries to turn sales from a constant struggle into a repeatable growth engine. It’s designed to help founders win 3+ high-ticket clients per quarter.

👉 I created The Launch Code by blending my two worlds:

• Corporate sales leadership at the highest level

• Startup founder grit, speed, and focus

The result: a sales system that gives startup founders corporate-level structure without losing startup agility.

What you’ll learn with me:

✅ How to FOCUS your offer & message so buyers instantly get it

✅ How to STRUCTURE your sales process so you close more with less stress

✅ How to SCALE your sales so you stop doing it all yourself

Who I work with:

• Early-stage founders → use my video course + mentoring to land your first consistent high-ticket clients.

• Scaleup founders → work 1:1 with me to scale faster, build a high-performing team & break revenue ceilings.

Why listen to me?

🔹 Closed $2B+ in revenue
🔹 Carried $150M revenue responsibility as SVP at NBCUniversal 
🔹 Built & sold my own company
🔹 Investor in multiple startups
🔹 Author of The Launch Code & keynote speaker

📩 DM me if you’re ready to win 3+ high-ticket clients per quarter and turn sales into your growth engine.

Investor & Board Member

• The Launch Code is a blueprint that helps B2B tech founders sell and market to enterprise customers.
• Worked with 200+ founders from 26 countries.
• I share The Launch Code via a personal mentoring program, an on-demand course and a course + mentoring package.
• Startup accelerators can choose a course + group coaching package.

I quit. Then I signed up again.

In 2017, I stared in the mirror and made a decision:
Sign up for a Spartan Race.

That one decision turned into years of pain, progress, and discipline.
Eight races later, I felt like I’d found my edge.

Then 2024 hit.
Injuries held me back.
Laziness took over.
Excuses got quiet, but consistent.

But a few weeks ago, I recommitted.
I signed up again. Spartan Race. May 2, 2026.

Not because I’m ready.
But because readiness comes AFTER the commitment.

That's why I keep doing hard things:

➤ Growth through discomfort
➤ Resilience when things break
➤ Confidence earned, not imagined
➤ Solving problems under pressure
➤ The quiet pride of keeping my word

This mindset shaped my athletic goals.
And it shapes how I build as a founder.

👉 What’s one thing you’ve been postponing that deserves a recommitment?

#founders #resilientleadership #focus #discipline #entrepreneurship

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TLC Book

Stop waiting for the perfect time! Get a FREE chapter of my book on founder-led sales and start growing➡️ https://tinyurl.com/4js3p86z

TLC Book #2

Discover the mindset and strategies to master founder-led sales—sign up for a FREE chapter ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/4js3p86z

TLC Book #3

Startups thrive on hustle.
Scaleups thrive on systems.

Where are you on that journey?

TLC-High-ticket deals

Early-stage founder? Learn how The Launch Code will help you close more high-ticket deals➡️ https://tinyurl.com/yseb2h7v


Club Globalis Link

TLC Buy Book Amazon

Unlock the blueprint to mastering founder-led sales. The Launch Code is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon➡️ https://mybook.to/thelaunchcode 

Online Book Release Registration

Hungary Book Release

Yes! Sign me up for The Launch Code book release event in Budapest ➡️ https://lu.ma/8lh2r7qb

Romania Book Release

Yes! Sign me up for the founder-led sales event in Bucharest ➡️ https://lu.ma/82n6akdm

TLC Book - Free & Buy

Get The Launch Code's first chapter FREE or buy it on Amazon - CLICK HERE ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/3wcn2tb8

Nothing Ventures podcast

Watch or listen here ➡️
1️⃣ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dM5ZyNHq
2️⃣ Apple: https://lnkd.in/dg7KjR_E
3️⃣ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dj3k2EEP

TLC-Accelerate rev growth

Ready to boost revenue growth? Check out The Launch Code and learn how ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/ytnbzd74


Speaker Reel Plug

For those who missed it — here’s what those four lucky people saw 👇

https://youtu.be/hYaXkDkF80U

Next time, bring friends. I’m worth the ears. 😇

Grow Your B2B SaaS podcast

Watch or listen to the podcast here ➡️
1️⃣ YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/wfu4yrvx
2️⃣ Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/48kkkm3a
3️⃣ Apple: https://tinyurl.com/3297nnra

Startup Revolution podcast

📽️ Watch the podcast episode here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/a42knu5m

LaunchPod podcast

📽️ Watch the podcast episode here ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/3nadxxxa

Make It Happen Mondays Podcast

Watch or listen to the podcast here ➡️
https://tinyurl.com/48uatz4s

TLC Audio Book

Buy The Launch Code audiobook here ➡️
✅ Amazon: https://mybook.to/thelaunchcode
✅ Audible US: https://tinyurl.com/2v9nau72
✅ Audible UK: https://tinyurl.com/y9mreb4p
✅ Apple Books: https://tinyurl.com/yspdadu4


Warsaw Events - Sept 2025

Register here to attend these events ➡️
✅ Google For Startups: https://tinyurl.com/ybrvr864
✅ Venture Cafe Warsaw: https://tinyurl.com/4k6hancc

Benson Boone

What was your “front row moment” with a brand, artist, or company?

That point where you went from interested to fully invested?

👇 Drop it in the comments — I’m collecting examples for a follow-up post.

Office vs Home

✅If you're in-office full-time: what’s the biggest upside for you?

▶️And if you're remote-first: what do you think people miss most about the office?

Fire my client

This wasn’t an easy decision.
But I’ve learned the hard way: saying “no” early often protects your time, energy, and reputation later.

Curious to hear from other consultants, coaches, and founders:

What’s your biggest red flag in a new client relationship?

TLC Bootcamp

Curious how we structure the TLC Bootcamp behind the scenes?

Drop a message and I’ll DM you the 3-pillar framework I use to build a founder’s sales system from scratch.

VP Training

Get my free video training that helps founders:
•	Cut the fluff
•	Test their message with prospects
•	Increase clarity (and conversions)

👉 Check the link: https://tinyurl.com/2cd6cndv


Quit or conquer

Will you quit at 5PM today, or conquer what's left?
Reminder: consistency beats intensity. Every time.

👇What’s ONE thing you're committed to finishing today?


Measure to manage

If you’re not sure what to track, start with one metric tied directly to revenue.

For example:
→ Weekly sales calls booked
→ Email response rate
→ Avg. deal size by funnel stage

Clarity beats complexity.
What’s your go-to metric right now?


When to give up

TLC Tour Thanks

Vicket value prop

One thing that surprised us in this case: the product didn’t need to change. Just the way it was explained.

Messaging gives you strategic clarity about who it’s for and what changes for them.

👉 What’s one positioning mistake you’ve seen (or made) that cost traction?


Founder not product

Someone messaged me after this post and said:
“Selling still feels like begging.”

Totally get it.
That feeling is more common than you think...even in the boardroom.

But what if sales wasn’t about asking…
…but about offering clarity, direction, and momentum?

What’s your biggest mindset shift around sales?


Annual accomplishments

Reading through my own list made me realize how much I overlook the small wins.

But those “small” moments -- the tough calls, the messy fixes, the late-night emails -- often deliver the real breakthroughs.

What’s one underrated win you’re proud of this year?


Destination Plan

PRO TIP: If you're stuck on Step 2 (milestones), reverse-engineer it:

👉 Ask: “What would need to be true by Q1 to hit my year-end goal?”

This makes your strategy way more actionable.


Do less, not more

⚠️ Reminder: Saying “yes” to everything is saying “no” to what matters.
Drop your “STOP” below - your clarity could help someone else.


Spartan recommitment

Recommitment doesn’t need confidence. Just a first step.

What’s one small move you’re making this week?


VP Training podcast

I mentor entrepreneurs to help them build a repeatable, founder-led sales process that doesn’t collapse under stress.

If you're tired of winging it or second-guessing your strategy, let’s talk.

📩 DM me if you're ready to sell with structure (and sanity).


Czech Founders event

medient-consulting

central-european-theme-parks-ltd

the-launch-code

mentor-equity

B2B Sales Strategist for Tech Founders | Win 3+ High-Ticket Clients per Quarter | Closed $2B in Revenue | Author of The Launch Code | Keynote Speaker

Your biggest growth unlock in 2026 won’t come from doing more.
It will come from doing less...better.

"Vicket - Take your seat online" slimmed down its offering and grew by cutting distractions.
Povio cut cold outreach and scaled by narrowing its client acquisition focus.

Most founders don’t need more tools. Tactics. Or ideas.

They need fewer priorities. Sharper execution.

Focus isn’t a constraint.
It’s your multiplier.

If you're stuck, it’s not because you're not doing enough.
It’s because you’re doing too much.

👉 What’s one thing you’ll stop doing this quarter?

Drop it in the comments with “STOP: [your answer]”
Let’s build focus in public.

#focus #founders #b2bsales #startupgrowth #lessbutbetter

"Vicket - Take your seat online"

Povio

Here’s the uncomfortable truth no one tells early-stage founders:

Sales will break you before it builds you.

The moment your product hits the real world, reality hits back harder.

I learned this at CampMap, when a client, Simon, told me:

“You literally saved my business.”

It wasn’t magic.
It wasn’t luck.
It was sales.
The kind that hurts.

It was showing up. Making calls.
Hearing “no” 27 times.
And still running a structured process when everything felt shaky.

Most founders don’t fail because their product is bad.

They fail because they avoid the discomfort that sales forces them to face.

Once you embrace the pain, you unlock the path to predictable growth.

👉 What’s the most uncomfortable sales moment you’ve faced recently?

#earlystagefounders #b2bsales #startups #founderlife #entrepreneurship

Most founders fail at international expansion. 
Not because of ambition, but because of poor sequencing.

They try to go global too soon, or they mix strategies that don’t mix.

There are only two winning models for going international:

🌍 Day One Global – for product-led companies with a naturally global user base.
🌎 Market-by-Market – for sales-led businesses that need local traction before scaling.

🔻 The mistake?
Trying to do both.
You burn time. You burn money. You burn trust.

Expansion isn’t about vision.
It’s about choosing the right model for the stage you're in.

👉 Which model fits your business today?

#B2Bgrowth #GoToMarket #StartupStrategy

If your pitch gets polite nods... but no sales, here’s why.

Most founders struggle to explain what they do in a way that actually lands.

They default to features.
They overcomplicate with jargon.
They talk longer instead of clearer.
👉 That’s why their value proposition doesn’t sell.

On The Sales Evangelist, I sat down with Donald C Kelly to walk through my 5-step framework -- live, unscripted, zero fluff.

We used his B2B podcast agency, Blue Mango, as the case study:

Here’s the framework we applied:

✅ Identify the real customer problem
✅ Define the exact target customer
✅ Describe your offer in plain language
✅ Highlight one core benefit
✅ Clarify what makes you hard to replace

You’ll see real questions, real objections -- and exactly how to handle them.

If your message feels messy, this will help.
🎥 Watch the live roleplay and apply the same steps to your own business.

👉 https://lnkd.in/edqhZq47

#b2bsales #founders #startups #valueproposition #positioning #podcaststrategy

The Sales Evangelist | LinkedIn Top Voice In Sales | 3X Top Salesforce Influencer | LinkedIn Sales [In]sider | Podcast Enthusiast | Helping Teams Generate More Pipeline

This 15-minute exercise will save your business.
Ignore it at your own risk.

I used this same process to create The Launch Code - a sales blueprint that's helped 200+ startups from 26 countries close high-ticket deals fast.

Open a blank page, and write a single line at the top:

“Where do I want to be one year from now?”

This is your Destination. 

Now, do these three things:

➤ STEP 1: Write your 12-month business outcome.
Be specific. Revenue, team size, client type, hours worked -- define the picture.

➤ STEP 2: Identify the biggest milestones to get there.
Think of these as your quarterly checkpoints.

➤ STEP 3: Choose 3 actions you can take in the next 7 days.
Small steps. Fast wins. Momentum matters more than scale.

I do this every 90 days. Without it, I’d still be spinning my wheels.

Most tech founders stay stuck in “reaction mode”.
Set your Destination. Clarity creates momentum

👉What’s the first milestone you want to hit in 2026?
Drop it below. I’ll reply with 1 idea to help you hit it faster.

#FounderFocus #ExecutionMatters #StartupMomentum #GoalSetting #BusinessGrowth

Startups are not meant to last.
You’re only a startup once. The goal is to outgrow it.

But many founders get stuck in “Day One” mode:
🚫 Busy = Productive
🚫 Growth = Chasing everything
🚫 Change = Progress

Real scaling requires something else:
✅ Structure
✅ Repeatable processes
✅ Clear ownership
✅ Disciplined focus

Take Dexory, for example.
Once they built an operational and commercial structure, their growth didn’t just continue - it accelerated.

Startup energy gets you started.
Structure gets you scale.

👉 Which part of your business is still running like it’s Day One?

Tag a founder who’s ready to scale.
#scaleupjourney #founderlessons #startupgrowth #operations

Want to make 2026 your best revenue year yet?
Here are 5 moves to lock in now, before the year gets away from you:

1️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲.
Happy clients = healthy growth.
Nurture your current customers. Don’t risk churn -- it’s your foundation.

2️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲.
Focus on people who say “we need this”...not “it’s nice to have.”
Dial in on fit, urgency, and decision power.

3️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀.
Distributors, connectors, agents: amplify your reach and credibility by collaborating with those who already have trust.

4️⃣ 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.
Your website and sales materials should answer:
“Who is this for, what does it solve, and why now?”
If it’s unclear to you, it’s invisible to them.

5️⃣ 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺.
New goals require renewed focus. Rally your people. Momentum multiplies when everyone’s pulling in the same direction.

▶️ Want more tips to crush your 2026 sales targets?
Get a FREE chapter of my book:

The Launch Code: Master Founder-Led Sales & Accelerate Your Startup's Revenue Growth

📌 Link in the first comment.

#B2BSales #Startups #FounderLedSales #RevenueGrowth #TheLaunchCode

It only takes one click to destroy months of work.

A founder once told me about a beautifully designed email campaign.
Crisp copy. Killer subject line. Perfectly timed.

One problem:
Every link redirected to a porn site.

He found out hours later.

Months of brand-building -- gone in seconds.

👉 Strategy doesn’t fail because it’s wrong.
It fails because the execution is sloppy.

The unsexy truth?
Your next breakthrough won’t come from some genius idea.
It’ll come from doing the basics right. Every. Single. Time.

Where does execution break down in your team?

#execution #startups #b2bsales #founders

Every new year starts with a mix of two forces:
✨ Hope for what could go right
😟 Fear of what might not happen

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 one will shape your 2026?

Because the one you act on in the next 6 weeks...

...will define how far you go this year.

👉 What are you doing to start 2026 with momentum?

#B2BSales #TechStartups #FounderPlanning #GrowthExecution #2026Goals

If your ICP has more than six bullet points, you don’t have an ICP.
You have a wishlist.

Founders love talking about their ideal customer.

But many create something so broad, it ends up describing... everyone.

And when everyone’s your customer, no one really is.

🧠 A strong ICP does one thing well: it filters.
Not dreams. Not hopes. Just focus.

The most effective ICPs nail 4 essentials:
👉 General characteristics
👉 Industry
👉 Company size or stage
👉 Geography

Then you trim it down to 4–6 sharp bullet points.

Because clarity closes deals. Confusion clogs your pipeline.

📌 Your ICP isn’t a vision board — it’s a decision tool.

What’s one thing in your ICP you should delete today?

#ICP #b2bsales #startupstrategy #salesfocus

There are coaches. There are consultants.
And then... there are mentors.

Coaches ask questions to help you find your own answers.
Consultants dive in and do the work for you.

But what if you want both challenge and support?
That’s where I come in.

As a mentor, I help you:
✅ Ask the right questions to clarify your thinking
✅ Leverage my 30+ years of international business experience
✅ Build a tailored action plan

This is your business. You stay in control.
But you don’t have to do it alone.

If you're a B2B founder ready to turn ambition into action...
with strategic guidance and real accountability...

👉 Click here to see how I can help → https://lnkd.in/egAPHpPw

Let’s build your sales playbook, sharpen your strategy, and scale... together.

Confused buyers never convert. Here’s the fix.

Give them three options.

Not one.
Not five.
Exactly three.

Then price them using the 70-100-170 rule.

✅ It simplifies decisions.
✅ It nudges them toward your best offer.
✅ It boosts your conversion rate.

Most founders overload buyers with choices, features, and pricing layers.
And that kills momentum.

Simplicity sells.

Package your offer clearly, and you’ll see results almost immediately.

What part of your offer needs simplification right now?

👇 Drop it in the comments. Let’s break it down.

#b2bsales #pricingstrategy #startups #growth

A product offering that sells

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

Stop Saying 'Should.' 

It's Killing Your Progress.

"I should prospect more." 
"I should post on LinkedIn." 
"I should work out."

Yet nothing changes. The list grows longer while your results stay flat.

Here's what actually happens when you 
replace "should" with different language:

Scenario 1: Your prospecting goal.

↳Old language:
"I should reach out to five prospects today."
Then guilt when you don't. Repeat tomorrow.

↳New language:
"I'm reaching out to five prospects today."
Or admit: "I'm choosing not to prioritize this right now."

↳Result: You either act or you own the choice. No guilt loop.

Scenario 2: Your content creation.

↳Old language:
"I should post three times this week."
Followed by excuses about time, perfectionism, fear.

↳New language:
"I must post three times this week to build my authority."
Or: 
"I'm not ready to commit to this yet."

↳Result: Clarity replaces confusion. Action replaces avoidance.

Scenario 3: Your personal commitments.

↳Old language:
"I should work out tomorrow morning."
Then snooze the alarm. Feel terrible. Repeat.

↳New language:
"I will work out tomorrow at 6 AM."
Or: "I'm prioritizing sleep over exercise right now."

↳Result: You honor your decision either way.

"Should" is the language of obligation without commitment.

It keeps you stuck in a cycle of intention without execution.

When you eliminate "should" from your vocabulary, 
you force yourself to either commit or let go.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

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.

You know exactly what you need to do.
But you're still not doing it.

Here's why:

Your brain isn't lazy.
It's just running a calculation you don't see.

Every decision comes down to emotional math:
↳ Pain of taking action vs. pain of staying stuck
↳ Whichever feels heavier wins

I used to think I lacked discipline.

Turns out, I'd just linked massive pain to starting:
- Anxiety about failing publicly
- Worry about wasting time
- Fear of looking stupid

Meanwhile, staying stuck felt... safe.

Uncomfortable, sure. But familiar.

The shift happened when I realized:
Inaction has a cost too.

It's just quieter.
More gradual.
Easier to ignore.

So I started asking myself:

"What's the real pain I'm avoiding here?"

Usually, it wasn't the work itself.

It was the vulnerability. The visibility.

The possibility of being wrong.

Once I named it, the math changed.

Taking action became less scary than staying invisible.

Here's what I realized:
You're not avoiding action because you're broken.

You're avoiding it because right now, it feels riskier than standing still.

What pain have you been avoiding by not taking action?

Follow Mike Hays  for insights on doing the work that matters

How To Get Complainers to Stop Complaining
Without Losing Your Mind.

You enabled the complaining the moment you 
started validating every grievance.

And now you're stuck in an endless loop of 
negativity instead of progress.

But here's what most people miss - 
stopping complainers isn't about dismissing their concerns.

It's about redirecting their energy strategically.

Here's what's really happening:
↳ Your empathy becomes their permission to continue
↳ Chronic complainers seek attention, not solutions
↳ They control the conversation through negativity

Here's how to break the pattern:

1. Acknowledge Once, Then Pivot

↳ Validate briefly, then shift to action
↳ Don't get trapped in the complaint cycle
↳ "I understand. What's one thing you can control here?"

2. Ask Solution-Focused Questions

↳ "What would make this situation better?"
↳ Move them from problem to possibility
↳ Force their brain to think differently

3. Set Boundaries Early

↳ Be clear about your role
↳ People respect confident limits
↳ Define what conversations you'll engage in

4. Model the Energy You Want

↳ Stay solution-oriented in your responses
↳ Your tone sets the standard
↳ Don't match their negativity

What Most People Are Overlooking:
Everyone can listen.
Everyone can sympathize.
But only leaders can transform complainers into problem-solvers.

Quick Question:

When was the last time you got stuck in someone's complaint spiral?

How did you handle it?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication strategies.

They make it look so effortless.

That's what people say when they see polished work.

But here's what they don't see the invisible architecture behind it.

I used to think making work look easy meant hiding the effort.

The late nights.
The revisions.
The moments of doubt.

But the more I refined my process, the more one truth became obvious:

Work doesn't look easy because you hide the struggle.

It looks easy because you've done the hard work 
so many times that it becomes second nature.

And there are only two approaches to this:

The exhausting way
→ Reinventing the wheel every time
→ Burning out to meet deadlines
→ Starting from scratch repeatedly
→ No systems or frameworks
→ Relying purely on inspiration



The strategic way
→ Learning from past projects
→ Refining with each iteration
→ Making complexity invisible
→ Building repeatable processes
→ Creating templates and frameworks

One drains your energy.
The other multiplies your impact.

The best professionals aren't naturally gifted
they're systematically prepared.

They know that mastery isn't about working harder.

It's about working smarter until the complex becomes simple.

They've failed enough times to know what works.
They've refined their approach until it flows.

Not to show off.

But to deliver consistent excellence without the chaos.

Making work look easy isn't about pretending it's effortless.

It's about doing the behind-the-scenes work so well that others only see the result.

When you build the right systems, excellence becomes your baseline.

What's one process you've refined that now feels effortless?

Follow Mike Hays for more insights on strategic communication.

"Quick question" is never actually quick.

Feel That Stomach Drop?

I used to think it was just me.
Then, one day, I realized something:

"Those two words trigger an instant physical reaction."

I wondered why my stomach tightened every time I heard it.

It's always said like it's small. Casual. Friendly.
But the second you hear it, your body knows better.

Because "quick question" doesn't mean a question.

It made perfect sense to me.

It means a conversation.
With follow-ups. And feelings.

It's the verbal equivalent of: "We need to talk."

That pause you feel in your soul? You're not imagining it.

Here's what I learned about "quick question":
- Your stomach knows before your brain does
- Recognition beats explanation every time
- The tone is casual, the stakes are not
- It always leads somewhere bigger
- It's never one question

So here's my takeaway for anyone who's felt that tightness:

You're not overthinking it.
You're reading the room correctly.

Comment: "I've heard this one," and I'll share
the follow-up script that names what happens next.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

What's Controlling Your Life Right Now?
It's Not What You Think.

(And it's definitely not your circumstances)

Most people believe their life is shaped by what happens to them.
But here's the truth I've learned:

↳ Your decisions create your reality, not your conditions.

There are three decisions driving everything in your life right now:

1. What You Choose to Focus On

↳ Your focus determines your experience
↳ Not what's happening around you
↳ But where you direct your attention

2. Your Emotional State

↳ Your emotions shape your actions
↳ Your state creates your outcomes
↳ You can change how you feel in any moment

3. Your Blueprint

↳ The standards you've set for yourself
↳ What you believe you deserve
↳ These are your expectations

Here's What Most People Miss:

↳ They wait for conditions to improve
↳ They blame circumstances for their results
↳ They give their power away to external factors

The Real Shift Happens When:

↳ You rewrite your blueprint
↳ You realize you control your focus
↳ You take ownership of your emotional state

Your life doesn't transform when you get the promotion, 
find the relationship, or hit the income goal.

It transforms the moment you decide differently.

When you stop waiting for permission from your 
circumstances and start making different 
decisions, everything changes.

So here's my question for you:

Which of these three decisions do you need 
to take back control of today?

Follow Mike Hays  for more insights on intentional living

Fear Will Move You Forward 

But It Will Never Set You Free.

I've been thinking about what really drives most of us.

Here's what I've noticed:
Fear is the default setting.

Fear of failing. Fear of being judged. Fear of not measuring up.
It's exhausting, and it keeps you stuck in reaction mode.

Here's what I've learned:
• Both create movement, but only one creates freedom
• Fear pushes you away from what you don't want
• Vision pulls you toward what you do want
• Vision gives you energy; fear drains it

The shift happens when you stop running from 
something and start moving toward something.

When I switched from "I can't mess this up" to 
"I'm building something meaningful." 
Everything changed.

The work felt different. The decisions became clearer.

The pressure turned into possibility.

Fear will always be there, that's normal.
But it doesn't have to be in the driver's seat.

So ask yourself

What would you create if fear weren't calling the shots?

What vision would pull you forward if you let it?

Drop a comment or send me a DM
 I'd love to hear what drives you.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Ever replay one harsh comment all day?

I do.

Someone once told me my work "lacked depth."
Not in a meeting. Not with context.
Just a quick message, then silence.

I couldn't shake it.

I replayed it during lunch.
During my next call.
Even while brushing my teeth that night.

The comment wasn't even detailed.
But my brain filled in the gaps with worst-case scenarios.

Here's what I learned:

Our minds magnify criticism.
→ One negative comment outweighs ten compliments
→ We loop it, dissect it, personalize it
→ It becomes louder than reality

But here's the shift:

That comment forced me to ask better questions.
Not "Am I good enough?"
But "What specifically can I improve?"

I reached out. Got clarity. Made changes.
The work got stronger.

Harsh comments sting because they touch something real.
The goal isn't to ignore them.
It's to separate the noise from the signal, fast.

Because replaying it won't help.
But responding to it will.

What's one comment that pushed you to level up?

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more leadership strategies

You're watching the wrong thing during presentations.

The Signal That Tells You 10× More

That's what I realized after years of watching presentations.

But here's what most presenters miss:

The slides don't tell you if your message is landing.

The faces do.

People think I'm weird for watching faces instead of slides.

I used to obsess over perfecting every bullet point.
Tweaking fonts.
Rehearsing transitions.
Making sure the data looked flawless.

But the more presentations I attended, the clearer one truth became:

Your audience's reaction matters more than your content.

And there are only two ways to present:

The oblivious way
→ Never checking for understanding
→ Finishing on schedule regardless
→ Reading bullet points verbatim
→ Ignoring confused expressions
→ Staring at your own slides

The adaptive way
→ Reading the room constantly
→ Noticing when energy drops
→ Responding to nonverbal feedback
→ Pausing when faces show confusion
→ Adjusting pace based on engagement

One delivers information.
The other creates connection.

The best presenters aren't just speakers, they're observers.

They know a furrowed brow means "slow down."
They see glazed eyes and shift tactics immediately.

Not because they're mind readers.

But because they prioritize resonance over rehearsal.

Watching faces isn't weird.

It's the difference between presenting at people and communicating with them.

Your slides support your message, but faces reveal if it's working.

What do you pay attention to during presentations?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

Marketing isn't about volume.

It's about clarity.

We often assume more content equals more attention.
But in real business, especially when competing for seconds
positioning shows up in much quieter ways.

I started paying attention to the brands that 
consistently cut through the noise.

↳ They simply knew exactly why they mattered.
↳ They weren't everywhere.
↳ They weren't louder.

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

Most entrepreneurs skip the critical step:
Defining what makes them irreplaceable.

They plunge into content, ads, and campaigns
but struggle to explain their unique value in a single sentence.

The assumptions?

↳ "Our product speaks for itself."
↳ "We'll figure it out as we grow."
↳ "People will understand what makes us special."

But without clarity, your message gets lost
and your budget gets burned.

Three truths about positioning in the attention economy:

1. If you can't explain your edge clearly, 
don't expect your audience to figure it out.

2. You're not competing for market share.
You're competing for milliseconds of attention.

3. Vague positioning doesn't win that battle.

Here's what sets standout brands apart:

↳ They lead with relevance.
↳ They craft messaging that cuts through noise.
↳ They anchor every campaign in a crystal-clear answer to: 
"Why should I care?"

Compare that to those stuck in generic slogans, 
feature lists, and "we're better" claims.

One approach resonates.
The other fades.

Before your next campaign, pause and ask:

What makes us the only choice for the right people?

Can you explain your unique value in 10 words or less?

Follow Mike Hays Mike Hays for more messaging insights.

How Saying Less Helped Me Hear More.

I've been guilty of this for years.

Nodding along while mentally rehearsing my response.

In meetings, I'd:
➤ Plan my counterpoint
➤ Wait for the pause
➤ Polish my story

I wasn't listening.
I was loading.

Then I realized something:

The people I trusted most never did this.
They asked follow-up questions I didn't expect.

So I changed my approach.

Instead of preparing what to say next, I started tracking:

• Where their energy shifted
• What they didn't say directly
• What they emphasized twice
• Questions that would go deeper

That's when conversations became different.

Because real listening isn't about silence.
It's about curiosity.

Stop rehearsing your brilliance.
Start discovering theirs.

The best responses come from what you actually heard, 
not what you planned to say.

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

5 massive communication shifts you'll see this year

Do you have the skills to stay ahead?

1. People are drowning in AI-generated content
In 2026, the volume of AI-produced text, images, 
emails, pitches, and posts will reach saturation.

 When everything starts to sound the same, human voices stand out.
 Real communication becomes a filter and a relief in a world of infinite noise.

2. Trust becomes the rarest commodity
In an AI-heavy world, human connection signals credibility.

Tone, pacing, hesitation, and enthusiasm 
these are trust cues that AI still struggles to replicate.

Voice becomes a verification layer.

When you hear someone speak, you hear intentions, 
emotions, and authenticity.

3. Quality and clarity beat quantity
AI makes it easy to produce more… but not necessarily to matter more.

Professionals who communicate with precision, empathy, and presence become more influential because their words carry weight, not volume.

The more automation grows, the more value we place on the craft of clear, thoughtful communication.

4. Technology is shifting us back to voice-by-default
Wearables, AR, ambient computing, and voice 
interfaces reduce typing friction.

Speaking becomes faster than writing.

And when people speak more, they connect more naturally.

5. Human connection becomes a competitive advantage
Teams that communicate well outperform those that don’t.
Sales calls convert better when there’s warmth.

Leaders who speak with clarity and energy build stronger followings.

In 2026, communication isn’t a soft skill it’s a differentiator.

Follow Mike Hays for more communication and leadership tips.

Introducing the Fishbowl Practice

The First Method That Neutralizes Criticism Anxiety

(The drill that builds emotional armor)

I help smart people stop talking like robots.
But here's what nobody tells you:

↳ The fear of criticism keeps you sterile.

My Fishbowl Practice changes that:

1. Write Your Worst Nightmares Down

↳ Every harsh comment you fear
↳ Every cruel judgment possible
↳ Drop them in a fishbowl

2. Pull One Daily

↳ Record your response on camera
↳ Just you and the discomfort
↳ No script, no safety net

3. Watch Your Transformation

↳ Week one: You'll stumble
↳ Week two: You'll find your voice
↳ Week three: You'll own your message

4. Build Resilience Through Repetition

↳ Criticism loses its power
↳ Your authentic voice emerges
↳ Confidence replaces performance anxiety

5. Turn It Into Content

↳ Your growth becomes your story
↳ Your vulnerability becomes your authority
↳ Your responses become YouTube Shorts

The Real Win:
When you can handle the fishbowl, real comments feel easy.

I'm starting this series next week.
Each episode: one comment, one raw response, zero editing.

Quick question:

What's the harshest comment you're afraid to receive?

⤵️ Drop it below
Follow Mike Hays for authentic communication strategies

"I wasn't ready for that."

We say it all the time.

But what does it really mean?

Most people think it's about surprise.
About being caught off guard.

But I've learned something different after years of working with leaders and founders.

"I wasn't ready for that" actually means three things:

↳ First: I didn't prepare mentally.
We knew it could happen, but we didn't visualize it. We didn't rehearse our response.

↳ Second: I underestimated the emotional weight.
Logic told us one thing. Reality hit differently. The gap between knowing and feeling is massive.

↳ Third: I didn't build the support system.
We tried to go it alone. No mentors. No peers who'd been there. No framework to lean on when it mattered.

Here's what I've noticed:

The leaders who say "I wasn't ready" the least aren't the ones who predict everything.

They're the ones who prepare differently.

They don't just plan for outcomes.
They prepare their mindset.
They build their network before they need it.
They create frameworks that work under pressure.

Being ready isn't about knowing what's coming.

It's about building the capacity to handle what you can't predict.

The next time you catch yourself saying "I wasn't ready for that," ask a better question:



🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more strategies on leadership and growth

Messaging Strategist & Ghostwriter for Leaders - I help you create instant credibility that gets replies, calls, and conversions with my Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint.

Have You Ever Won the Argument

But Lost Every Relationship in the Process?

Being right doesn't matter if nobody wants to work with you afterward.

Yet most of us prioritize correctness over connection every single time.

Here's what I've learned about the cost of being technically right:

Scenario 1:

You catch an error in someone's presentation.

↳Old approach:
Point it out immediately in front of everyone.
Make sure they know you spotted it first.

↳New approach:
Pause. Consider the setting.
Pull them aside later with a quiet heads-up.

↳Result: They fix the error and remember your respect.

Scenario 2: A team member suggests a flawed strategy.

↳Old approach:
Shut it down with data and logic.
Prove why it won't work, point by point.

↳New approach:
Ask questions that guide them to see the gaps themselves.
Let discovery replace demolition.

↳Result: They learn. They don't resent you for it.

Scenario 3: Someone challenges your expertise publicly.

↳Old approach:
Defend your credentials with force.
Make them feel small for questioning you.

↳New approach:
Acknowledge their perspective.
Share your reasoning without needing to dominate.

↳Result: The room sees your confidence and their dignity intact.

Being right with the wrong tone doesn't build influence.

It builds walls.

When you choose connection over correction, people actually hear you.

So here's what I'm asking myself now:
What's more valuable, winning the point or keeping the relationship?

Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights.

I used to think "watch me fail first" was about humility.
But it's actually about permission.

Most people wait for proof before they start.
➤ They need someone else to go first.
➤ They need validation.
➤ They need certainty.

I realized something different:

"Watch me fail first" means I'm willing to be the example.

Not because I want to fail.
Because I'm willing to learn in public.

Here's what that actually looks like:

• Testing ideas before they're perfect
• Sharing lessons while I'm still learning
• Making mistakes visible so others can skip them
• Building credibility through transparency, not perfection

The leaders I respect most aren't the ones who never stumble.

They're the ones who stumble forward and document the path.

Because when you say "watch me fail first," you're really saying:
"I'll take the risk so you don't have to guess."

That's not humility.
That's leadership.

Stop waiting for permission to be imperfect.
Start creating the path others are afraid to walk.

Your willingness to go first is your competitive advantage.

Follow Mike Hays for more leadership advice.

I blamed my audience for three years.
(they weren't the problem)

The silent killer in every conversation:

Clarity isn't what you say, it's what they understand.

My Wake-Up Call:

→ Perfect presentations
→ Detailed explanations
→ Logical frameworks
→ Zero conversions

I kept thinking:
"Why don't they get it?"

The Real Issue:
↳ I prioritized being right over being clear
↳ I explained features, not transformations
↳ I spoke my language, not theirs

Then I shifted everything:

New Approach:
↳ Watch their faces, not my slides
↳ Test every message with real people
↳ Ask "what did you hear?" not "did you understand?"

The Results:
↳ Clients repeating my message back perfectly
↳ Referrals using my exact words
↳ 3x higher engagement rates

The Truth:
If they didn't get it, your message failed - not them.

Quick Question:

When was the last time you tested your message before blaming your audience?

Struggling to capture attention in conversations?

Start with vulnerability.

I used to think I needed perfect stories to connect with people.
Then, one day, I realized something:

My mistakes were more interesting than my wins.

I wondered why some conversations felt flat while 
others sparked instant connection.

The difference wasn't polish or perfection,
it was honest, human moments that people could relate to.

It made perfect sense to me.

So, I started opening conversations differently.

Weeks went by.
And engagement transformed with every vulnerable opener.

Networking events? Deeper connections.
Client calls? Trust built faster than ever.

And because I led with authenticity,

I stopped trying to impress everyone
and started building real relationships that mattered.

Here's what I learned about conversation starters:
- "I regret this…" invites empathy immediately
- "Don't do what I did" positions you as a guide
- "This is embarrassing" breaks down walls instantly
- Vulnerability creates permission for others to open up
- People remember how you made them feel, not how perfect you sounded

So here's my takeaway for leaders and communicators:

Lead with your humanity
or keep having forgettable surface-level conversations.

Comment: "I lead with vulnerability," and I'll share my conversation framework for building instant trust.

I lost three "best friends" before I spotted the pattern.
(Now I see the red flags instantly)

The brutal reality about fake friendships:

They drain you slowly until there's nothing left.

Here are the 5 toxic behaviors I finally recognized:

1. The Scorekeeper

↳ Tracks every favor obsessively
↳ Reminds you what they've done
↳ Never celebrates your wins

2. The Ghost

↳ Vanishes when you need support
↳ Reappears when they want something
↳ Always "too busy" for your problems

3. The Competitor

↳ Turns everything into a contest
↳ Minimizes your achievements
↳ Can't handle your success

4. The Energy Vampire

↳ Every conversation drains you
↳ Only talks about their drama
↳ Never asks how you're doing

5. The Gossip

↳ Shares your secrets casually
↳ Talks behind everyone's back
↳ Creates unnecessary drama

Real friends show up consistently, celebrate 
genuinely, and protect your trust.

Quick Question:

Which toxic behavior have you experienced most?

Share your story below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more relationship insights

I shot 39 videos to get ONE right.

Was it worth it? Here's what I discovered.

Most creators say, "just hit record and post."
But after my marathon reshoot session, I learned:

↳ Perfectionism vs. progress is real.
Here's what I found on both sides:

The Pros:

Clarity improved dramatically
↳ By video 20, I knew exactly what to say
↳ Each take refined my message
↳ Confidence grew with repetition

Delivery became natural
↳ Eye contact felt genuine
↳ No more reading scripts robotically
↳ Energy levels peaked at the right moments

The Cons:

Time investment was massive
↳ Editing through 39 takes? No way, didn't do it!
↳ 3 hours for one 60-second video
↳ Diminishing returns after take 25

Overthinking killed spontaneity
↳ Started sounding too rehearsed
↳ Lost the raw, authentic moments
↳ Perfectionism became procrastination

The Key Insight:
↳ Beyond that? You're polishing, not improving.
↳ There's a sweet spot around 5-7 takes.
↳ Done beats perfect every single time.

My new rule:

Three takes maximum, then ship it.

What's your video recording process? One take or multiple?

Drop your number below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more content creation insights

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