This week's episode of Chief Influencer features a truly inspiring leader, Michael Manganiello, the President and CEO at Pyxis Partners. After living for 40+ years as an HIV survivor and dedicated advocate, Michael’s journey has transformed medical research and patient care. After participating in groundbreaking clinical trials led by Dr. Anthony Fauci, he has been a beacon of hope for those living with HIV/AIDS.As the first Senior VP of Government Relations for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, he played a key role in passing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and raising over $150 million for resources supporting the mobility impaired.Takeaways:Build Diverse Coalitions: Assemble coalition members who bring different strengths to the table. Including scientists, researchers, and passionate advocates ensures a well-rounded and influential group.Leverage Non-Traditional Partnerships: Work with trusted community organizations to reach your target audience more effectively. People are more likely to listen to messengers they trust and encounter in their daily lives.Understand the Importance of Incremental Victories: Celebrate small wins along the way. These victories help maintain momentum and morale when working toward long-term goals.Educational and Strategic Insights: Acquire in-depth knowledge about your field. Being well-prepared and informed makes it easier to gain credibility and persuade influential stakeholders.Humanize the Issues: To reduce stigma, put a face to the cause and show people real-life examples. This will make the issue relatable and less abstract.Persistent Leadership: Lead by example and be persistent. Understand that effecting change is a long-term game that requires resilience and continuous effort.Quote of the Show:“You have to celebrate the incremental victories even if they’re small because that’s what keeps you going.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-manganiello-606743b/ Website: https://www.pyxispartners.co/ Shout Outs:Dr. Anthony FauciDocumentary: https://films.nationalgeographic.com/fauci Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation: https://www.christopherreeve.org/ Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art: https://leslielohman.org/ Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX-B3HMlMfY National Institute of Health - All of Us Research Program: https://allofus.nih.gov/ Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/810 Back to Basics Report from Pyxis Partners: https://www.pyxispartners.co/post/back-to-basics-hiv-aids-advocacy-as-a-model-for-catalyzing-change 

Today’s special episode of Chief Influencer highlights four inspiring elected officials: Danica Roem, a member of the Virginia State Senate; Andy Kim, U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 3rd District; Rob Sand, Iowa Auditor of State; and Tony Woods, Secretary of Veterans Affairs at the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.The episode features leaders from various sectors and highlights the importance of collaborative change and diverse legislative influences. It underscores the value of transparency, accessibility, and genuine engagement in leadership. Each guest shared their personal insights on important themes like inclusion and the challenges of decision-making. They highlighted how vital it is for leaders to share their own stories and create welcoming spaces for everyone. They also delved into topics like overcoming misinformation and battling imposter syndrome, emphasizing the need to balance personal beliefs with the collective responsibility of serving the public.Takeaways:Communicate Openly and Authentically: Embrace a communication style that is open, human, and transparent. Engage in open dialogue to build trust and credibility by being honest about both successes and failures.Influence Through Mutual Engagement: Recognize that leadership involves being open to influence as well. Actively listen to constituents or team members, understand their needs, and incorporate their feedback into decision-making.Leave No One Behind: Create an inclusive environment where every member feels valued and heard. Focus on integrating marginalized or underrepresented groups into the larger mission.Show Rawness and Vulnerability: Demonstrate vulnerability by sharing your struggles and failures. This authentic approach fosters personal connections and reflects your true self.Share Personal Stories: Use storytelling to connect with your audience. Relating personal anecdotes makes your message more compelling and provides insight into your values and leadership style.Understand Key Issues Thoroughly: Develop a deep understanding of critical issues affecting your community or organization. Stay informed and continuously educate yourself to make more effective decisions.Engage Thoughtfully with Opposing Views: Address tough questions and criticisms respectfully, even in disagreement. Thoughtful responses can help bridge divides and foster a cooperative environment.Links:Rob SandLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robsand1/ Website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa Danica RoemFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/danicafordelegate/ Website: https://www.danicaforstatesenate.com/ Andy Kim: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-kim-511969/ Website: https://www.andykim.com/ Tony WoodsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-woods-22390978/ Website: https://veterans.maryland.gov/anthony-woods/ 

Bill Smith is the Founder and CEO of Inseparable, an organization dedicated to advancing mental health policy. Additionally, he holds the position of Chair at Civitas Public Affairs Group, a firm he co-founded. At Civitas, he guides philanthropists, foundations, and donor collaboratives on various policy objectives alongside national non-profit organizations striving for progressive policy advancements.Bill shares insights into his impactful journey of shaping mental health policy and empowering the LGBTQ+ community politically. He delves into the founding motivations behind Inseparable, stressing the significance of research and genuine communication in driving policy transformations. Bill also discusses successful strategies for achieving significant policy victories across different states.Together, they explore leveraging research for influence, simplifying intricate messages effectively, and harnessing authenticity and encouragement to propel social change. Bill advocates for leaders to recruit individuals smarter than themselves, fostering a culture of brilliance and collaboration within organizations, thereby ensuring success through collective intelligence and expertise.Takeaways:Be yourself in your communications and leadership style. Authenticity resonates with people and builds trust. Establish a genuine connection with your team, stakeholders, and audience.Surround yourself with people who are more intelligent than you. This approach enhances your team's overall capabilities and fosters learning and innovation.Determine the core areas or issues that need addressing and concentrate your efforts there. A focused approach ensures impactful outcomes and better allocation of resources.Before embarking on any major project or initiative, invest in research. Understanding the opinions and needs of your audience is essential for crafting messages that resonate and to make informed decisions.Research and data are invaluable; let them guide your communications, decisions, and strategies. Even if the findings challenge your assumptions, being open to data-driven insights can lead to more effective outcomes.Develop messaging that is straightforward and resonates with your audience. Simplifying complex ideas into relatable, engaging narratives can amplify your influence and the impact of your messages.Personalize your communication to build deeper connections. Whether through emails, social media, or direct engagement, sharing your journey, challenges, and successes can inspire and engage people more effectively.Quote of the Show:“At the end of the day, you have to listen to research because if it's done well, it's telling you what people think and it's telling you what you need to hear.” - Bill SmithLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-smith-7376424 Inseparable (Website): https://www.inseparable.us Civitas Public Affairs Group (Website): https://www.civitaspublicaffairs.com Shout Outs:The Gill Foundation: https://gillfoundation.org Jan Van Lohuizen: https://www.c-span.org/person/?16114/JanVanLohuizen 

This week's episode features an in-person discussion with Terry Szuplat, a former White House speechwriter for President Barack Obama and author of Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind. Inspire Any Audience. Terry emphasizes the importance of authenticity, simplicity, and personal storytelling in effective communication. He shares insights on public speaking, leveraging personal narratives, and avoiding jargon, offering actionable advice for students and professionals in the field. The discussion also addresses the impact of social media and how AI is involved in communication. The session concludes with an appreciation for Terry’s contributions and a reminder to engage in authentic human communication.Takeaways:Talk Like a Human: Simplify your language and communicate in a relatable way. Avoid jargon and buzzwords to enhance relatability and impact.Know Yourself Deeply: Understand your identity, values, and story before inspiring others. Clarity in who you are will resonate with your audience's authenticity.Utilize Personal Stories: Incorporate personal anecdotes in your speeches. Unique experiences will engage your audience and create a personal connection.Prepare Thoughtfully: Use the 50-25-25 rule for preparation: spend 50% on planning and research, 25% on content creation, and 25% on practicing and refining your delivery for a polished presentation.Embrace Authenticity Over Perfection: Prioritize being genuine over delivering a flawless performance. Audiences appreciate sincerity and your true self.Quote of the Show:"When you tell the stories that only you can tell, then no one can steal your words, ever."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-szuplat-456914137/ Website: https://globalvoicescommunications.com/about/ Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind. Inspire Any Audience: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/say-it-well-terry-szuplatShout Outs:Former President of the United States, Barack ObamaTim WalzGeroge Washington College of Professional Studies: https://www.cps.gwu.edu/ 

In this episode of Chief Influencer, host Anthony Shop, speaks with Renee DiResta, a leading expert on misinformation, social media, and online influence, as well as the author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality. Renee shares insights on false information trends on social media and the challenges of combating them. The discussion also explores the changing media landscape, the role of influencers, and the significance of ethical communication. Renee emphasizes the need for transparent influencer disclosure laws and offers advice for experts on effectively navigating and influencing public discourse.Takeaways:Build and Leverage Your Network: It's not enough to just post content; your real reach comes from others who amplify your message. Encourage supporters and interested parties to share and engage with your content to maximize its impact.Establish a Strong and Diverse Network: One significant problem for institutions today is that many haven’t prioritized networked communication. Focus on building connections and relationships with key players and communities that can help spread your message.Utilize Unique Opportunities: Take advantage of increased online engagement to connect with a broader audience. These moments can help you establish a more extensive following.Maintain High Standards for Information: Authoritative voices should be held to higher standards than random influencers. Ensure your communications are accurate and reliable to build and maintain trust.Manage Content Distribution: Recognize the difference between people finding your content through search and having it proactively pushed onto them by platforms. Aim for strategic content distribution that considers both methods.Enhance Transparency and Disclosure: Be transparent about relationships and sponsorships, especially for influencers. Transparency is critical for maintaining credibility and trust with your audience.Actively Engage in Conversations: Engage actively on social media and other platforms where public opinion is formed. Do not rely solely on traditional methods like press releases. Participation in ongoing conversations is crucial for influence.Quote of the Show:“For influencers in particular, ethics are essential. It's important to recognize the power you have and to use it responsibly.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneediresta/ Website: https://www.reneediresta.com/ Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality: https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Rulers-People-Turn-Reality/Shout Outs:Edward BernaysStanford Internet Observatory: https://cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/io NPR: https://www.npr.org/ Atlantic Wired - Free Speech is Not the Same as Free Reach: https://www.wired.com/story/free-speech-is-not-the-same-as-free-reach/ Aza Raskin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azaraskin/ Tristan Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanharris/ Sacha Baron Cohen: https://www.instagram.com/sachabaroncohen/?hl=en Elon MuskCDC: https://www.cdc.gov/ Wendy’s Twitter McDonald’s TwitterConsumer Product Safety Commission: https://www.cpsc.gov/ NATO Summit: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/226799.htm Federal Election Commission: https://www.fec.gov/ Federal Trade Commission: https://www.ftc.gov/ Substack: https://substack.com/