Michael Duke

Michael Duke is a business executive, author, educator, entrepreneur, minister, sales professional and coach. Leadership is not just what he does...it is his passion. His core belief is that at the center of all success is the realization that people are our greatest asset.

Michael's maxim is simple, yet powerful: value, challenge, and empower your people, and your business will prosper.

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"Michael's ideas on coaching have become a part of each of our manager's 'basic training.' The core of his message - honest, timely, caring and clear communication about our competitive needs - is essential to our future success."

Robert DeAngelis
Vice President, Louisville Tile Distributors

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COACH TO THE GOAL:  A leadership strategy that balances the need for relationship and accountability.

"Michael Duke's presentations are always thought provoking...he is energetic and dynamic!" 

Bill Meyer, VP, Strothman & Company

"Michael's seminar drives me to improve my leadership skills! I had many 'Aha' moments. He made me look at things from a different angle."

Tom Freedman, General Manager, International Moulding Company

Coach to the Goal is an enlightening change of perspective that will revolutionize traditional leadership methods. This approach applies to everyone, from an entrepreneur, a front line leader, or a CEO, and when employed will result in a care for, connected, well-trained and highly motivated staff.

First, through the mastering of "The Coach Approach" you will learn how to:

• Motivate talented and problem employees!
• Build a team of employees into super-productive, motivated winners!
• Give clear direction and require tough accountability!
• Value your employee's love, trust, and respect!

Second, discover "The Power of Love at Work"

Don't let the title fool you. The secret is getting out. Love is the most powerful motivator in the world. Not the warm and fuzzy kind, but the tough, honest straight forward kind. In this unique presentation Michael will:

• Teach you the importance of creating caring relationships based on mutual trust.
• Challenge you to build a culture that values honest talk and face to face communication.
• Convince you that real love that allows people to feel safe and thrive is one that stresses no nonsense performance and genuine accountability.

Third, make sure the work is "Autographed by Michelangelos".

Excellence and artistry go hand-in-hand. In this impassioned presentation Michael explains how important it is for each employee to feel free to put their personal imprint on their work. By each employee striving to be a Michelangelo the organization:

• Becomes a place where people "get" to come to work
• Produces work that is autographed by creative and independent thinkers and doers.
• Creates a culture of individual excellence that prides itself on team performance.

Keynote, 1-6 hour presentations

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RECRUIT TO THE GOAL: Answers the question "Who are the right people to put on my bus?"

Life and business would be easy if it wasn't for the people! How many times have you heard this? Yes, the greatest challenges come from having the wrong people. And your greatest satisfaction comes from having the right people! "Recruit to the Goal" is a common sense plan that will teach you to hire and retain only the best and the brightest!

First, learn to "Hire for Character and Train for Skill"

This presentation will turn traditional interview and selection practices on its head. With his over 20 years experience and countless real world stories in hiring Michael's message will challenge you to:

• Get and stay focused on your most critical organizational success factor-the quality of your people!
• Hire only people better than you-the key to extraordinary performance!
• Learn the importance of a "values fit"-the key to sky high retention.
• Seek first and foremost character and coach-ability-the key to a coveted reputation!

Second, then "Unleash the Power of Your Employees!"

"Unleashing the Power of Your Employees" is a proven strategy that will open the flood gates of your employee's potential! Think about how successful your business could be if you tapped into the limitless resources of each employee. You can create a team of winners that is innovative, responsive and results-oriented.

Through the "Unleashing Process" you will learn how to:

• Give your people permission to be great.
• Create an "Ownership Mentality" within your employees.
• Remove obstacles that hinder motivation and performance.
• Develop a culture where initiative and failing forward are the norm.

Third, live and encourage others to live "The Passionate Life".

Find your passion and you will find your dream. Better still, help others do the same! The challenges and obstacles of life send our desires deep underground. We need to awaken them, direct them and empower those passions. This presentation will:

• Awaken the long lost dream within you!
• Persuade you that those passions have a destiny that is uniquely yours.
• Convince you that your life's greatest glory can only be found in pursuit of your deepest and most meaningful desires.

Keynote, 1-6 hour presentations

Michael's Bio:

Michael Duke has led a remarkably diversified life. He has been in the ministry, sales, corporate management and most recently an entrepreneur and author. Michael is not only a gifted coach; he truly understands people, which is why Michael is so successful at getting to the heart of so many issues. It may have been Michael's career in the ministry, that served as an important foundation for his success in motivating and managing people.

Michael started out in sales with a national hardware company and went to the top. At age 26, Michael became the youngest district manager in the country. Next a distinguished management career in advertising and later the electrical industry. While accomplishing phenomenal success in his career, Michael earned a graduate degree in Management in 1986. He soon discovered that he had the heart of a teacher and began a parallel career as a college instructor. As a natural outgrowth of his love for teaching and helping others, Michael established his consulting business in 2000 and now devotes his full schedule to writing, consulting and speaking to businesses in the region.

Michael's greatest passion is people. Some refer to Michael as "Louisville's best business teacher." His clients simply refer to him as trusted friend and advisor." Michael makes his home in Shelbyville, Kentucky with his wife Christine.  They have five sons and two granddaughters.