Biography

Dr. Samuel Jones is the author of three books, a motivational speaker and leadership trainer who owns a consulting business called Life Changing Presentations™. His programs impact companies and professionals at all levels by helping people to succeed in work and life by discovering their purpose; enhancing their performance and building partnerships. He’s a highly sought after speaker for a variety of business and organizations across the country. Some of his previous clients include Toyota, General Electric, Mississippi Economic Council, Tennessee Valley Authority, Credit Union of America, Georgia Department of Transportation, Alabama SHRM, Kentucky Credit Union League, Kessler Federal Credit Union, Illinois Credit Union Conference, Arkansas SHRM, Virginia Apartment Managers Association, West Virginia Community Action Agency, Carolinas Credit Union League, and the Mountain West Credit Union Convention to name a few.

Dr. Jones’ unique presentation style of sharing wisdom through storytelling and experiential learning activities leave audience participants with memorable, actionable takeaways they can implement immediately.

After growing up in a fatherless home with his grandmother and struggling through high school and college with a speech impediment as an athlete, Dr. Jones would later spend a year in Finland playing professional basketball. It was there when he discovered a deeper purpose for his life. After returning to the U.S., he entered the education arena as a student (by completing a Master’s degree and Ph.D.) and as an employee as an assistant basketball coach, Asst. dean, Dean, Vice President of Student Affairs, and currently, Asst. to the President for Corporate Training at Jones College in Ellisville, MS. He is also an Ordained Minister.

It is in all of these roles where Dr. Jones learned the value of discovering a deeper purpose for service; enhancing your performance through life-long learning; and building partnerships to help other people succeed in their work and life.

Today, Dr. Jones delivers more than 70 life changing keynotes and seminars each year, he’s a Life Mentors and he’s the author of four books: The Man I Never KnewLive Life on Purpose and Winning Before & Beyond the Finish Line. He was recognized as one of Mississippi’s TOP Entrepreneurs by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2018 and is a member of the University of Southern Mississippi alumni Hall of Fame.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and a Master’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership (Community College Leadership emphasis) from Mississippi State University. He is also married to the former Sarah Clark of Richton, MS and he’s the Associate Pastor at Peace & Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church. He believes that ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’

 

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WORK WITH PURPOSE, WIN WITH PEOPLE™

Businesses face an accelerated pace of change as the need for technology and other rapidly changing consumer expectations reshape their world. Also, while current and future employees have greater demands for meaning in their work as the declining levels of trust in companies reshape their expectations.

Takeaways: Participants will be able to…

Establish purpose and profit as the core of your strategy
Bridge the gap between strategy and execution
Enhanced clarity about cultural change that sticks for the future

U-TURN: HOW TO CREATE CHANGE WHEN NO ONE WANTS TO

As the climate of endless disruptions continues to rise in business, leaders worry that their employees can’t–or just won’t change to meet the increasing demands that lie ahead. And as these threats seem to get closer to home and impact their bottom line, organizations and leaders must adapt to mobilize the workforce of tomorrow today.

Takeaways: Participants will be able to…

Discover strategies that support current employees as a reserve of talent and energy
Identify three critical gaps between business leaders and middle-skill workers and what employers can do to help
Identify five ways to help your team be open to change

CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN AVERAGE AND EXCELLENCE

In challenging times, we must be clear and impartial about business obligations because ‘average’ tendencies creep into normal day-to-day operations. In this program, Dr. Jones supports participants in overcoming the silos of average habits to create patterns of excellence within their organization and in life.

Takeaways: Participants will be able to…

Recognize the 5 reasons why leaders struggle, and eventually fail in any economy
Demonstrate 5 innovative techniques leaders can implement that transform average tendencies into patterns of excellence
Integrate strategies to enhance partnerships at any level within the organization

RAISE THE BAR (BELIEFS. ACTIONS. RESULTS.)

One of the most painful things to see is a bold, confident employee fall into the trap of mediocrity. Even great employees can be subject to run-of-the-mill habits and getting caught in the slump of repetitive routines. This program encourages attendees to improve by uncovering ways to ‘Raise the B.A.R. by turning beliefs into actions to achieve desired results. Dr. Jones will share ways to re-energize, re-engage, and re-spark your inner drive, improve results and maximizing productivity.

Takeaways: Participants will be able to…

Define and evaluate their beliefs for what works and what doesn’t work
Capitalize on actions that increase and demand higher expectations
Demonstrate strategies to motivate their team to reach new heights

TURNING POINTS TO SUCCESS™

In his forthcoming book, Turning Points: How Common Moments Can Have Amazing Uncommon Significance, Dr. Jones makes the case that we all experience moments that can change the course of our lives and that there are specific things we can do to make them purposeful. You need to be aware of those moments in your life and look for ways to make them happen again and again for yourself and for those you serve.

Key learning takeaways – Participants will:

Recognize the AWARENESS of their current beliefs and behaviors.
Demonstrate a greater understanding and use of their IMAGINATION for what results they desire.
Employ strategies to complete a purposeful MISSION to accomplish short-term and long-term goals.
This program is designed for leaders that expect to implement positive permanent change to help their people to create turning points for each other and their customers (to improve morale, uncover strategies to improve performance, increase employee engagement and enhance soft skills). Relevant for associations, educational institutions, and corporations; to persons of all ages and all departments.

EXPOSING & ELIMINATING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM™ [DIVERSITY & INCLUSION PROGRAM]

Business bottom lines are negatively impacted whenever diversity and inclusion issues arise in the workplace and not addressed. And this ‘elephant in the room’ continues to expand the gap between the behaviors that unlock the potentials of a diverse workforce and leaders acting as if it’s not an issue. This program is designed to help organizations create a competitive edge by instituting a culture of inclusive leadership for greater profitability and value creation.

Key Learning Takeaways

Understand why “diversity” and “inclusion” are misunderstood to be the same thing in the workplace.
Distinguish between the behaviors of the most inclusive leaders and the least inclusive leaders.
Identify four levers that drive inclusion and the six behaviors that support inclusion efforts in the workplace.

Testimonials

Dr. Samuel Jones was exactly the speaker that our public health workers who are members of the MS Public Health Association needed. They came into the virtual conference being so tired from all of their work on the pandemic. His presentation lifted them up and sent them away from the conference feeling renewed and refreshed. His closing session, Necessary Risks: How to Lead and Live Beyond A Crisis was so appropriate for them at this time. The evaluations of his session indicated just how effective he was, even virtually! We can definitely recommend him for any group!
– Kay Bender, Ph.D., Executive Director, MS Public Health Association
Dr. Jones’s presentation was uplifting, optimistic, and extremely timely considering all the challenges people have faced both personally and professionally this year. Our credit unions could not stop raving about his approach to leadership and the way he connected with them, even virtually. As you look to the future and how your teams can benefit from coaching, inspiration and learning, I highly recommend you look at Dr. Jones as someone who can help transform your team.
– Jared M. Ross, President, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates Southeaster Leadership Development Virtual Conference

Booksby Dr. Samuel Jones

Live Life on Purpose: From Discovery to Practice

Winning Before and After the Finish Line

The Man I Never Knew: How Leadership Can Be Developed By Faith, Family, and Friends

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