Paul Meshanko

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Respect. It's a simple concept, a universally powerful motivator, and a core value for many global organizations. Why, then, is it so elusive in the modern workplace? With today's increasingly diverse workforces, organizational culture has never been more important and a foundation of Respect is the bedrock. It sets the stage for engagement, promotes collaboration and inclusion, and unleashes extraordinary creativity and resilience.
​Based on his highly acclaimed new book, The Respect Effect: Using the science of neuroleadership to inspire a more loyal and productive workplace, author and speaker Paul Meshanko goes beyond the typical "feel good" themes of organizational culture and digs deeply into the topics of evolution, psychology and neuroscience to show how powerful of a catalyst respect can be. More importantly, he shares practical, easy-to-implement strategies for helping to promote respectful work cultures and offers case study details on how best-in-class global employers are already using respect to make a difference with both their cultures and bottom lines.
​With his interactive, often humorous style, Paul also helps participants better understand the emotional experience of respect, what it looks and feels like, and how it radically differs from tolerance. He links respect of others to respect of self, discusses how disrespectful behaviors can trigger immediate and lasting damage to our human capital and, most importantly, creates a compelling and articulate call for action.

Key Themes:
Tolerance is no longer enough
The cost of disrespectful behaviors
Respect...the new end-game
Respect is about me, not "them"
Stereotypes, myths and prejudgments
Knowledge vs. beliefs
Challenging the need to be "right"
Healthy self-esteem: The key to respect for others
The 12 Rules of Respect

Ever wonder about how we make decisions? Over the past half million years, the human brain has evolved to become the most sophisticated and successful survival computer that the planet has ever seen.
​Containing almost 100 billion neurons, each capable of linking into an almost infinite number of synaptic pathways, it is fast, adaptable and efficient. These characteristics have allowed humans to rise to and remain at the top of the planetary food chain. Quite simply, we can out-think any other species known.
​At the same time, our brains are far from perfect. Some of the same characteristics that make them so successful actually get in our way as often as they help us. That's because efficiency and speed often come at the cost of accuracy. Without even realizing it, we take mental shortcuts that often lead us to make inaccurate assessments of the situations and people with whom we deal. Put us in stressful environments, and a whole different array of short cuts, compromises and trade-offs emerge. Welcome to the world of unconscious bias.
​The first goal of this humorous and engaging presentation is to explore the nature and types of biases that affect behaviors and decision making at both individual and group levels. By understanding the biological limitations in our mental processing capabilities and how our brains attempt to compensate, we can better recognize the mechanics of faulty decisions and interaction styles. This then sets the stage for pursuing our second goal, which is to develop strategies to help minimize the potentially negative impact of bias on us both individually and as organizations.
Key Themes
Explore bias as a core human thought tendency
Identify the different types of cognitive biases that compromise decision making at individual and group levels
Discuss the nature of and how the brain uses implicit bias (bias about personal characteristics) to protect itself
Recognize how people bias leads to exclusion and disengagement
Learn and practice techniques for recognizing and interrupting both people and tactical bias patterns
Develop a group plan of action for promoting inclusive policies and behaviors

The road to lasting organizational success is paradoxically simple. It requires clear goals, well thought out plans, engaged team members and consistent execution of deliverables by everyone. While not a complex path, it’s still difficult to sustain. Why? Because “simple” is not the same as “easy.” As the environment changes, so must plans. What motivates some employees today may not motivate others tomorrow. The key is consistency: the ability to do the right things over and over again, and to recover quickly when we don’t.
In the highly engaging and energetic style for which he is known, Paul will share key insights on three leadership competencies required for fostering long-term growth within your organization: Adaptability, Resilience and Respect for others. Referencing concept’s and tools from his highly acclaimed new book, The Respect Effect –Using the science of neuroleadership to inspire a more loyal and productive workplace, Paul digs deeply into the topics of evolution, psychology and neuroscience to show how powerful of a catalyst these three competencies can be.
Key Themes
What is “culture” and why does it matter?
The three keys to consistent organizational performance: adaptability, resilience and respect
Exploring the attitudes and behavior patterns that promote organizational resilience
Leveraging the power of words: why language matters
The cost of disrespectful behaviors
The 12 Rules of Respect
Knowledge vs. beliefs and letting go of our need to be “right”
Wrap-up: The crucial role of leaders in modeling desired behaviors