Mike Acker

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About Mike Acker
Mike Acker is a leadership coach, author, and speaker with over 20 years of experience in speaking, leadership development, and organizational management.
StepsToAdvance.com
Known for his authenticity, humor, and engaging presence, Mike specializes in fomenting personal and organizational awareness, allowing clients to create their own personal growth track. His approach is earnest, informed, and holistic, leading to a more satisfying balance in work and life. His expertise in communications and leadership has attracted politicians, business entrepreneurs, educational leaders, and executive managers.
Mike’s training stretches from private Spanish-speaking schools in Mexico, national college debate tournaments, master classes in cultural leadership, certifications in coaching, and his current MBA. Mike has been a professional speaker for 20 years and has spoken to groups of 10 to 10,000. Mike is represented by Audacity Speaker Agency.
In 2014, Mike accepted the role of Chairman of the Board for an international non-profit, which works to lift kids out of poverty in Senegal and Mexico. In this capacity, he works with the paid staff, the board of directors, and the international staff as they collaborate to sponsor families, start schools, and build dozens of feeding centers. (goonthemission.com)
Mike also enjoys rock-climbing, wake surfing, skiing, church, building Legos with his son, and going on dates with his wife, Taylor. Mike believes in the power of prayer, exercise, journaling, and real community to counter the stresses of everyday life.
SPEAK WITH NO FEAR (now in the second edition)
Public speaking is the #1 fear in America. Millions of people are terrified at the prospect of going up on stage and addressing a crowd more than they’re afraid of death. And yet, it’s an unavoidable experience in this go-getter world.
Maybe it’s a presentation in school, a business pitch for your boss, or a toast at your best friend’s wedding. Fear of speaking grips you. But it doesn’t have to. Not anymore.
Full of personal anecdotes, executable tips, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book teaches you 7 unconventional strategies to help you find your inner presenter. Don’t wait any longer. Today is the day you take charge of your anxiety, calm your nerves, and – most importantly – speak with no fear.
Books by Mike Acker
- Speak With No Fear
- Speak With No Fear WORKBOOK
- Write to Speak
- Grow Your Soul
- Lead With No Fear (with Steve Gutzler)
- Lead With No Fear WORKBOOK (with Steve Gutzler)
- Connect Through Emotional Intelligence
- Connect Through Emotional Intelligence WORKBOOK
- Speak & Meet Virtually
- Speak With Confidence
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Author updates
Books By Mike Acker
When you think of public speaking, do you get nervous, anxious, or even sweaty?
Would you prefer never to give a presentation?
Do you want to gain confidence in your communication and beyond?
This book can help you. You don’t have to be afraid any longer. You don’t have to let communication anxiety keep you from your goals. While my upcoming book will give advanced strategies to master the game of speaking, this book allows you to get in the game and get started.
Through this book you will learn 7 strategies you can begin today. These strategies will give you a new perspective, they will prepare you, and they will give you actions to practice. As you implement these strategies, your fear will begin to fade.
It can easily seem like everyone is a gifted speaker when you watch TED talks or compare yourself to skilled co-workers giving presentations. Don't get caught up in the costly comparison trap. Instead, take action to improve your ability and to overcome your fear.
If you struggle in speaking, then first realize that you are not alone. Public Speaking is the #1 fear in America. You are not alone.
Millions of people are terrified at the prospect of going up on stage and addressing a crowd even more than they’re afraid of death. Moreover, it’s an unavoidable experience if you want to succeed in this world. Maybe it’s a business presentation for your career path, a speech in school, or a toast at your best friend’s wedding. Fear of speaking grips you. However, it doesn’t have to. Not anymore.
Full of relatable anecdotes, executable tips, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book promises to teach you 7 proven strategies to help you find your inner presenter. Don’t wait any longer. Today is the day you take charge of your anxiety, calm your nerves, and – most importantly – speak with no fear.
Some encouragement from author and communications coach, Mike Acker:
Where you are is not where you have to be.
This sentence is included in my introduction. Do you believe it? Do you believe in yourself? At least some part of you does. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here! Let’s build on this belief. Take a moment and whisper the immortal words from the classic story, The Little Engine That Could, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”
Are you struggling? Do you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts? “It’s not going to work for me.” “I’m just not a good speaker.” “I’m an introvert. I just can’t.” “I’ve tried in the past, and it didn’t work.”
If you are struggling to believe, will you begin to suspend disbelief?
I encourage you to read this book as a believer, not as a skeptic. Education will often teach you to think critically. Keep that mindset for work and academics. When it comes to improving your communication, you need to read this receptively. Trade in any negativity for positivity. Think well of yourself. Believe in yourself. Then invest in yourself by applying this book.
Act on these strategies and set yourself up for success in speaking, in your career, and in your life:
THE SEVEN STRATEGIES
1. Uncover & Clean the Wound
2. Imagine the Worst
3. You Be You
4. Speak to One
5.
Do you desire to grow, improve, and gain new levels of influence as a leader?
Are you navigating through the uncertain waters of leadership?
In this conversational and action-oriented book, Steve Gutzler and Mike Acker present seven shifts to direct your leadership towards your desired destination: impact, influence, and inspiration.
In Lead With No Fear you will discover seven destination altering actions:
Shifting from Victim to Leader
Shifting from Unaware to Self-aware
Shifting from Black and White to High-Definition
Shifting from Insecure to Confident
Shifting from Activity to Accomplishment
Shifting from Smart to Smart AND Healthy
Shifting from Fast to Finishing
By embracing the wisdom found in these actions readers will discover certainty even in uncertain times. This is accomplished by grounded encouragement, reflective exercises, and practical application.
Instead of forcing leaders to make drastic changes, the authors guide the audience to make gradual changes over a ninety-day period. Afterall, ships and planes don’t instantly arrive at their destination so why do we expect ourselves to instantly arrive? No, these shifts are intended to point the audience to their next couple of steps instead of their next dramatic leap. In doing so you won’t be discouraged by the lack of instant results, rather you will be encouraged by the momentum of daily decisions compounded for ninety-days.
As you read this book you will be inspired by the examples, you will find connection with the coach-practitioners, and you will find real life case studies of leaders at the height of personal and professional success such as Harvard professor Dr. Beth Frates, successful entrepreneur Wes Herman, and CEO Rob Waggener.
Lead With No Fear equips readers to unlock their leadership potential, calling them to step into greater roles to create a better future.
Lead With No Fear turns potential into actual.
Lead With No Fear takes you from worry, insecurity, and self-doubt to inspiration, clarity, and confidence.
Don’t wait.
Read this book and make the leader-shift.
Steve Gutzler has been engaging and inspiring audiences for more than 25 years, and his clients include Microsoft, Seattle Seahawks, Spotify, Starbucks, Boeing, Ritz Carlton, Cisco, and Starwood Corporation. He’s an international best-selling author and a trusted executive coach to CEOs, business executives, and leading entrepreneurs. He’s also a husband, a father of three children, and a grandfather of six grandchildren, who keep him young and a frequent playground visitor.
Mike Acker is the CEO of ADVANCE where he leads the growing team to turn people’s potential into actual through workshops, communication programs, and executive coaching. His expanding No Fear series of books inspire audiences to break through barriers to new levels of success. When not writing and coaching, he can be found rock climbing, skiing, dating his wife, or playing Batman with his son.
This has created a unique opportunity for those individuals and companies willing to invest in upping their game:
Companies that embrace the new normal will gain a competitive edge over those who don't, especially as they are able to attract and retain talent uninterested in the old desk and cubicle routine.
Individuals who invest in excelling at virtual communication will stand out against the multitudes satisfied with mediocrity.
In his newest book, Speak Virtually, best-selling author of Speak With No Fear (now in its second edition) Mike Acker shows you how to go from Zoom fatigue, online meeting boredom, and impersonal presentations to engaging, efficient, and empowering web conferencing.
This book is high on impact and low on fluff. Its four sections represent the key concepts that you and your company must master and teach your team:
- Engage: How to effectively connect with the other participants as people, not pictures on a screen.
- Attend: How to get and give the most as a participant in virtual meetings.
- Lead: How to lead great meetings that people will want to attend.
- Set Up: How to choose the right equipment and software and prepare your "virtual office space" for maximum impact.
Designed to be a quick, practical guide that will have a measurable impact by the end of Chapter 1, Speak Virtually is also filled with highly actionable tips:
- 60 Second Fixes: Quick changes you can make immediately to improve your virtual communication.
- Virtual opportunity: Under-appreciated advantages of online communication.
- Ergo-tips: Practical advice that help both your body and your communication.
ABOUT MIKE
Mike Acker is a keynote speaker, author, and executive and communication coach with over twenty years of experience in speaking, leadership development, and organizational management.
Known for his authenticity, humor, and engaging presence, Mike specializes in fostering personal and organizational awareness, allowing clients to create their own personal growth track. His approach is earnest, informed, and holistic, leading to a more satisfying balance in work and life. His expertise in communications and leadership has attracted politicians, business entrepreneurs, educational leaders, and executive managers.
Mike has been a professional speaker for over twenty years and has spoken to groups of 10 to 10,000. His training stretches from private Spanish schools in Mexico to national college debate tournaments, master's education in cultural leadership, and certifications in coaching.
As a believer in giving back, Mike has worked with and supported several non-profits and relief organizations. Most recently, he served as the board chairman for GO on the Mission, an international non-profit working to lift kids out of poverty in Senegal and Mexico. ( />.com.
When you think of public speaking, do you get nervous, anxious, or even sweaty?
Would you prefer never to give a presentation?
Do you want to gain confidence in your communication and beyond?
This book can help you. You don’t have to be afraid any longer. You don’t have to let communication anxiety keep you from your goals. While my upcoming book will give advanced strategies to master the game of speaking, this book allows you to get in the game and get started.
Through this book you will learn 7 strategies you can begin today. These strategies will give you a new perspective, they will prepare you, and they will give you actions to practice. As you implement these strategies, your fear will begin to fade.
It can easily seem like everyone is a gifted speaker when you watch TED talks or compare yourself to skilled co-workers giving presentations. Don't get caught up in the costly comparison trap. Instead, take action to improve your ability and to overcome your fear.
If you struggle in speaking, then first realize that you are not alone. Public Speaking is the #1 fear in America. You are not alone.
Millions of people are terrified at the prospect of going up on stage and addressing a crowd even more than they’re afraid of death. Moreover, it’s an unavoidable experience if you want to succeed in this world. Maybe it’s a business presentation for your career path, a speech in school, or a toast at your best friend’s wedding. Fear of speaking grips you. However, it doesn’t have to. Not anymore.
Full of relatable anecdotes, executable tips, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book promises to teach you 7 proven strategies to help you find your inner presenter. Don’t wait any longer. Today is the day you take charge of your anxiety, calm your nerves, and – most importantly – speak with no fear.
Some encouragement from author and communications coach, Mike Acker:
Where you are is not where you have to be.
This sentence is included in my introduction. Do you believe it? Do you believe in yourself? At least some part of you does. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here! Let’s build on this belief. Take a moment and whisper the immortal words from the classic story, The Little Engine That Could, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”
Are you struggling? Do you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts? “It’s not going to work for me.” “I’m just not a good speaker.” “I’m an introvert. I just can’t.” “I’ve tried in the past, and it didn’t work.”
If you are struggling to believe, will you begin to suspend disbelief?
I encourage you to read this book as a believer, not as a skeptic. Education will often teach you to think critically. Keep that mindset for work and academics. When it comes to improving your communication, you need to read this receptively. Trade in any negativity for positivity. Think well of yourself. Believe in yourself. Then invest in yourself by applying this book.
Act on these strategies and set yourself up for success in speaking, in your career, and in your life:
THE SEVEN STRATEGIES
1. Uncover & Clean the Wound
2. Imagine the Worst
3. You Be You
4. Speak to One
5.
Write to Speak is a simple guide to creating content to connect with your audience.
You will learn a repeatable system that has been proven to work for novice and experienced speakers. This book will help you.
Can you relate to one of these questions or something similar?“What am I going to say?”
- “I have so much to say that I don’t know what to say.”
- “I’ve been asked to speak but don’t know how to get ready.”
- “How do I write a speech!?”
One thing is sure, you have some type of speech coming up!
This could be a talk, a presentation, a sermon, a podcast, an interview, an update, a toast, or one of the many other forms of upfront communication. As your speech approaches your uncertainty encroaches on your peace of mind. You find yourself worrying “HOW DO I WRITE A SPEECH?”
OR, you speak often and you need a system to speed up your writing. You give quarterly reports, you lead meetings, you regularly provide updates, you speak at a faith-based organization or a non-profit, or you are regularly invited to present on your expertise. You find yourself asking “IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS?”
Whether you are trying to improve your current process or are trying to find remedial help, this book will take from start to finish crafting your speech. You will learn:
- How to have confidence before even beginning.
- How to pick an idea.
- How to come up with content.
- How to organize around points.
- How to write an intriguing introduction.
- How to write a compelling conclusion.
- How to make it better.
- How to have a method that you can do over and over.
This booklet complements my Public Speaking School and other books in this expanding series on speech. Though this book is not meant to be exhaustive, it is thoroughly instructive.
Receive this instruction while ready to write out your own ideas and plans. Use this to create content that connects and compels. As you work through this book, you will go from a blank page to being ready to speak on stage.
Other books in this series:
Speak With No Fear: Go from a nervous, nauseated, and sweaty speaker to an excited, energized, and passionate presenter Kindle Edition
Speak With Confidence: Eliminate self-doubt, second-guesses, and weakness to excel in public speaking and succeed in life (coming soon)
Other communication resources:
The Public Speaking School
Communication workshops and seminars
Monthly Webinars
You can have all the skills and smarts, but if you aren't great with people, your personal and professional life will always fall short of your expectations.
In every sector, from teaching to manufacturing to law enforcement, brains and brawn no longer cut it. The ability to interact well with others—peers, subordinates, and clients—is what makes candidates highly desirable in today's competitive market.
Improving your EI is not about sitting in a circle and singing kumbaya. It's about becoming a fully functioning adult who enjoys a higher quality of life in every area—within themselves, in their home, with their friends, and in their workplace.
Here's the good news: While IQ is relatively fixed—no amount of study can turn you into Albert Einstein—anyone can improve their EI.
Connect Through Emotional Intelligence: Learn to Master Self, Understand Others, and Build Strong, Productive Relationships is your accessible and practical guide to:
- Understanding and overcoming internal obstacles that hold you back,
- Connecting with your coworkers and improving teamwork,
- Increasing your empathy,
- Giving more effective feedback, and
- Resolving conflict productively.
From the Introduction:
Here's the big picture of where we're going: Imagine that you and a bunch of friends are planning a week-long camping trip the next state over, involving about a dozen cars. Vehicle-wise, there are three key components for a safe journey:
- You need to make sure that your car is running well and capable of making the trip.
- Once you're on the road, you need to interact safely with countless other vehicles, watching for brake lights and anticipating erratic driving.
- You need to coordinate with your friends to arrive at the same location.
I'll explain how these apply in just a moment, but first I want to return to the research done on EI. Six years after Salovey and Mayer's seminal work, Dr. Daniel Goleman brought the concept of EI to a much wider audience with his book Emotional Intelligence. Pulling from many different strands of research, Dr. Goleman defined Emotional Intelligence according to five areas...[that] will provide some of our core topics:
- Self-awareness,
- Self-regulation,
- Self-motivation,
- Social skills, and
- Empathy.
The first three are all about yourself (intrapersonal intelligence). The second two are about others (interpersonal intelligence). In this book, we'll begin by looking at you and how to make sound judgements about your own emotions and choose the wisest course of action. Then we'll look at how you interact with other people's emotions, responding to people in general then those who are part of your life. So, the three parts of the book are:
- Me: Understanding and controlling my own "car."
- Them: Being able to read and safely interact with the other "cars."
- Us: Interacting with the other "cars" in my group to arrive at our desired destination.
Mike Acker begins this book by revealing how he had reached the point where he felt tired, hurt, frustrated, and burned out in faith, church, and spiritually.
Can you relate?
Have you been hurt by the 'church'? Does your soul feel weary? Do you wonder at the value of attending a service? Do you feel fake, stagnant, or apathetic?
This book does not have all the answers. But it does give you hope and help to find healing, wholeness, and holiness through seven ancient Christian disciplines.
Invest five days for eight weeks to embrace these disciplines as you read scriptures, relate with anecdotes, and discover practical guidance. These forty devotionals will guide you to get unstuck, restored, and reset as you intentionally take steps to GROW YOUR SOUL.
In Grow Your Soul, you will find empathy, wisdom, and direction as you seek to recover lost momentum.
In Grow Your Soul, you will be able to examine your life, engage in ancient practices, and create a path forward.
No matter what we do we will never become a god, that is not possible.
However, we can become godly.
Becoming godly is the goal choosing to Grow Your Soul. Growing our soul is what it means to be holy.
Think about that word, "holy".
Now ask yourself which words are used to describe Christians (good and bad)?
- Churchgoers
- Believers
- Political
- Hypocrites
- Good People
- Big Buildings
- Budgets
- Mission Trips
- Compassionate
- Phobic
- and the list goes on...
Which words do you wish were used to describe Christians?
Which words do you wish described you?
In the midst of the many words for Christians, there is one that is used infrequently: "holy".
This ancient word is rarely ascribed in modern days. However, it is the word that God preferred, "be holy because I am holy." How do we get to that word?
Not only does Grow Your Soul lead you to get unstuck, renewed, and restored, it also leads you become holy. This book leads you to grow your soul to become more like God. That is the antidote to so much of that, which plagues us.
So how do you become holy?
You must make a choice. You must take steps to grow your soul to become more like God. For the past two thousand years Christian have embraced disciplines, which help, direct our souls towards God.
This book guides you through these seven ancient Christian disciplines.
Take five days for eight weeks to read these scriptures, anecdotes, and suggestions (seven weeks to learn disciplines and one final week to reflect on your desired destination). As you apply these truths, you will see remarkable renewal through these 40 devotionals. You will see your soul grow more like God. You will see Holiness.