Speaking Topics
What We Do
I present in any setting to small and large groups, anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
I tell a story of a dog and how he helped to change every aspect of my life through unconditional love and compassion for others. I expand upon that message to help participants understand that genuine communication with each other takes on a sense of urgency as explained through the experiences of those who have a terminal illness. Through the eyes of the dying, we learn how to be better people through more genuine, gracious and compassionate communication.
I tell a story of a dog and how he helped to change every aspect of my life through unconditional love and compassion for others.
Your Seconds
The Framework for a New Foundation
Through a simple, yet impactful interactive exercise, Dr. Stofferahn will share how the wisdom of the dying has the power to transform your life and the lives of those around you. The presentation is a compilation of years of volunteer pet-therapy service to hospice clients, and it will give the participants an opportunity to consider the priorities in their lives from the perspective of those who might re-live theirs if given the opportunity. After the interactive exercise, Dr. Stofferahn will provide research-based insight into how we can improve our communication and conflict-resolution skills with each other through empathy, grace, and compassion. You will walk away with new, sharpened tools in your toolbox, and participants will leave with one of the newest, most important pieces of paper they will own – and it will be no bigger than a sticky note.
Your Seconds
Building Upon a New Foundation
This presentation builds upon “The Framework for a New Foundation”. It can be combined into one presentation or stand alone. Think about a text or conversation you have sent or had that may have been tied to an emotional trigger – and the lasting “smell” of the after-effects, sometimes permeating through the entire organization. Communication is complex; through a mixed bag of humor, wisdom and years of leadership experience and dedicated community service, Dr. Stofferahn will share his understanding of where emotional triggers come from, how to interrupt them, what you control and what you don’t control, and how simple compassion and grace can be lifelines in times of stress and uncertainty. Each audience member will leave with an increased capacity to affect positive change within the organization.
- Subject Area(s): Organizational communication, personal communication, conflict resolution, morale improvement, co-worker care
- Recommended Audience: All
- Recommended Size: Any Size
- IT Requirements: PowerPoint (AV), but not critical.
- Other: Writing utensil and 13 post-it notes for each attendee
- Time: 45-60 minutes
- Subject Area(s): Organizational communication, personal communication, conflict-resolution, co-worker care, morale improvement
- Recommended Audience: All
- Recommended Size: Any Size
- IT Requirements: PowerPoint (AV), but not critical.
- Time: 45-60 minutes (90 minutes when combined with “The Framework for a New Foundation”)
Speaking Reel
Your Seconds
Leading with Influence
You have a deadline to meet and all the authority necessary to shift schedules, assign tasks, delegate to subordinates, and demand overtime if necessary…and things still come in late or behind schedule, the work is haphazard, and morale is tanking. In contrast, entire organizations have been built and successfully maintained by volunteers – whose leaders have zero authority. How is this possible? Since he was a sophomore in college, Dr. Stofferahn has been leading volunteers by influence. Whether inspiring church choirs to sing, youth organizations to improve neighborhoods, recruiting, directing and producing theatrical performances, or building a non-profit for individuals with learning differences, Dr. Stofferahn has been leading with influence for almost 30 years. During this time together, you will gain research-based insight into managing with authority but leading with influence.
Your Seconds
Understanding Burden, Crisis, and Resiliency
A comprehensive joint study by the US Department of Education and the US Secret Service concluded that one of the ways to decrease school violence is to increase the depth of the relationships between students and the adults within the school. In doing so, we cultivate a deeper understanding of the burden we all carry from day to day. With understanding comes empathy, compassion…and humanity – and a decreased capacity for unhealthy choices. Through a simple yet poignant exercise, Dr. Stofferahn helps his audience more thoroughly understand empathy, loving-kindness and compassion and the positive effects of vulnerability…simply by allowing others to help us carry our daily burdens.
- Subject Area(s): Leadership perspective, organizational communication, personal communication, conflict resolution, morale improvement, co-worker care
- Recommended Audience: All
- Recommended Size: Any Size
- IT Requirements: PowerPoint (AV)
- Time: 45-60 minutes
- Subject Area(s): School violence, bullying, co-worker care, morale improvement.
- Recommended Audience: High Schools, Colleges, but versatile for all audiences
- Recommended Size: Any Size
- IT Requirements: PowerPoint (AV)
- Time: 45-60 minutes
Book Stuart
For an engaging, inspiring presentation at a school function, conference, assembly, or convention, Stuart and Buckley fit the bill. Their story redefines what audiences deem important by asking, “what are you doing with your seconds?” For more information about booking the team for your next speaking engagement, click the button below.
