03.07.2018 Interview with Michael Nir
How did begin your speaking career?
25 years ago; I finished high school, and was working as a substitute teacher in an elementary school. It was a very cold winter and many teachers had the flu; so I was working a lot… Mostly I was looking after the children on free time; however once I was asked to step in a math lesson with first graders. They were restless; they heckled me, made a lot of noise and were being rowdy. Instead of engaging in open conflict, I started writing equations on the board, and that made them settle down; however I wrote too many and then they burst out crying…Talk about a tough audience!
What sparked your interest for emotional intelligence?
Combining soft and hard skills is essential for success; without understanding the emotional behavioral aspects of human interaction, it is very difficult to succeed in business. I help managers overcome their deficit in the emotional sphere, in order to become better leaders.
Which one of your books are you most proud of?
Silent influencing, my second book, which I completed in 2013, is both personal and business oriented. It provides best practices to better understand ourselves, and the interactions we have with others. It summarizes years of experimentations and theoretical Gestalt concepts put into practice.
Who or what inspires you most?
I am inspired by people who see through narratives and provide holistic views of human behavior. The work of Nobel Prize laureate professor Daniel Kahneman who authored: Thinking Fast and Slow, and Harvard Professor Daniel Gilbert (who has one of the most viewed Ted talks – about the science of happiness) have inspired me and my work in leadership, lean agile and body language.
How much does humor factor into your keynotes and other speaking engagements?
A lot; people learn better when they are laughing; my keynotes and speaking engagements are interactive, I believe my role is to offer the environment for people to interact and engage; this in turn increases the opportunities for humor.
Why do clients typically hire you to speak?
Good question, many reasons. I have spoken at many events for a multitude of clients; reach out to A-Speakers to figure out how I could make your next event igniting, creative, thought provoking and fun.