Biography

Scott Burrows is a motivational business speaker who brings the concepts of Vision, Mindset and Grit to life using his life-changing story as the backdrop for organizational success. Three simple, yet powerful words that when put into action can help your organization stand up to any challenge.

By the age of 19, Scott played college football at Florida State University for legendary coach Bobby Bowden and was a top-ranked kick-boxing Black Belt champion whose last fight was broadcast by ESPN. Scott’s life changed dramatically when he survived a catastrophic car accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down and diagnosed a quadriplegic. Told he would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Scott realized his split-second decision to not wear a seat belt had altered his course forever.

Despite his grim diagnosis, Scott astounded his doctors and refused to be sidelined. After graduating with a degree in Finance, Scott served as a Financial Advisor in the Insurance and Financial Industry for Northwestern Mutual. He specialized in life and disability insurance, as well as retirement, estate and wealth planning. In his 5th year, he hit a huge goal and qualified for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Premiere Association of Financial Professionals, which is a 100% commission-driven sales production award that fewer than 8% of his peers qualify for annually from more than 500 companies in 70 countries around the world.

At the pinnacle of his career, Scott experienced yet another setback, a second automobile accident. Although buckled in this time, new injuries forced him to RE-evaluate, RE-invent and once again RE-ignite his life by practicing what he preaches.

During his nine month recovery, Scott reminisced about the overcoming adversity speakers he heard at sales and leadership conferences. Their life-changing stories inspire others to chase their dreams, regardless of obstacles or barriers. That’s when Scott decided he would make the tough decision to leave an industry he had so much passion and success in to pursue a speaking career that has taken him around the world.

Scott also took advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help expand his brother’s golf course fertilizer and equipment company into Southeast Asia by disrupting an industry and doing what the competition was unwilling to do– offer custom-blended fertilizers designed specifically to meet the needs of golf course fairways based on individual soil tests. This expansion brought in an excess of 1.6 million the first year.

Scott is the author of Vision, Mindset, Grit! Vision refers to your goals and aspirations, the endpoint you are seeking. Mindset is the continual mental preparation and adjustment needed to meet oncoming challenges. Grit is the day-to-day determination to persevere when you are too tired, too sore or too beleaguered to press on.

Scott has delivered keynote in 45 states as well as Australia, Spain, India, Thailand, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, the Czech Republic and Canada, and our soldiers at the Minot Air Force Base.

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VISION-MINDSET-GRIT: Success Strategies to Help You Stand Up to Any Challenge

In today's rapidly evolving marketplace environment, many organizations are trying to maintain a winning culture as they deal with an array of business challenges. Perhaps today your organization is dealing with growing pains and key business issues as you continue to expand both internally and externally while attempting to be number one in your industry in customer service and expectations. Perhaps you're experiencing lots of industry change, limited bench support, operational and support issues and budget cuts as well as increased goals, objectives and responsibilities. Or you're feeling paralyzed by your competition, advancing technologies and market saturation.

Whatever your challenges are, the true measure of success is how well you respond to adversity, change, setbacks and fear. Whatever belief system you employ must be powerful enough to conquer these obstacles and any other impediments to your personal and professional growth, or you-and your organization will be left behind.

Key Takeaways:

Vision
-Learn how to create a clear Vision that entices you to Take Action
-Examine the benefits of Dreaming in Full Color
-Discover the impact of connecting your organization to a Shared Vision
-Find out how adapting your Vision when things don't go as planned can give you that Competitive Advantage

Mindset
-Learn how to create an unstoppable Mindset that revolves around Poise and Execution
-Examine the Mindset of Letting It Happen, Embracing Change and Breaking the Fall Line
-Discover how to not let your Mindset Become Your Biggest Handicap
-Understand how the Power of Forgiveness, a leadership trait, can restore hope and lead to greater productivity
-Find out how Asking the "What" Questions can help you navigate the chaos of adversity

Grit
-Learn what it takes to Stretch Yourself beyond your paralyzed state
-Examine why your Willingness to Fail But Your Unwillingness to Quit is a leadership trait
-Discover Gritty strategies to help you Stand Up to Any Challenge
-Understand what it really means to Go with What Scares You and Never Give Up
-Cultivate ways to Unlock your Grit by finding that Blessman in your life

Develop an Unstoppable Mindset: Success Strategies for Safety Teams & Supervisors

With the alarming predominance of workplace accidents caused by human error, the importance of engaging teams and individuals with safety procedures in a way that is meaningful to them and can promote significant change is crucial. Scott details his unforgettable, life-changing story of turning a paralyzing setback into a powerful comeback that inspires teams to develop a true safety MINDSET. Scott details how easy it is to become desensitized to common safety routines, and how 'just this once' can tragically impact the rest of their lives.

Told through using his own physical paralysis as a metaphor and blending eloquent storytelling with humor and crowd interaction, Scott leaves audiences captivated, inspired and ready to take action. Scott will impact your team by encouraging awareness, better day-to-day safety decisions and changing the way your employees view and approach their jobs. Listeners will walk away embracing workplace safety protocols as opposed to resisting or ignoring them.

VISION MINDSET GRIT: Success Strategies for Insurance & Financial Services Professionals

Insurance and Financial leaders RAVE about Scott’s knowledge and understanding of their industry, knowing that he, too, was a top sales producer. After his life-changing accident, Scott became an insurance and financial advisor and went on to qualify for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Scott knows firsthand what it’s like to be in the field—generating activity, making scheduled calls, prospecting, facing rejection, overcoming objections, all while listening to clients’ needs to determine recommendations and solutions.

Scott teaches listeners how to create a clear Vision to increase sales performance. He helpsleaders discover the impact of connecting their organi¬zation to a shared vision of success, as well as how to adapt strategies during market fluctuations to gain important competitive advantages through creating an unstoppable Mindset that revolves around the principles of poise and execution. Listeners learn the important principles of Grit to outperform their competition and Stand Up to Any Challenge.

Rising to the Challenge: Keeping Healthcare Teams Cohesive & Motivated

Scott Burrows' thought-provoking presentation and compelling story is a hero's journey, providing what will be an unforgettable and lasting memory to inspire your attendees to stand up to any challenge. Using his physical paralysis as a visual metaphor, Scott reveals how to drive results using the same mental focus that helped him reinvent his life after a catastrophic accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. He will demonstrate there are no barriers or stop signs in life, or healthcare, just detours and workarounds.

Healthcare leaders appreciate Scott's knowledge of their industry, knowing he understands patient-centered care and how healthcare professionals have the gift and the power to influence and impact their patients' lives. As a former spinal cord injury patient and advocate for both patient and healthcare providers, he shares his impactful personal experience as a quadriplegic. Sharing Scott’s deeply personal experience encourages healthcare professionals to continue to find passion for what they do while teaching and inspiring them to encourage their patients to Never Give Up Hope!

DIVERSITY MATTERS: Inclusion Strategies for the Changing Workforce

In today's rapidly changing Corporate Environment, C-level executives are realizing that Disability Matters. Why? Today, the largest and fastest-growing minority group around the world are people with disabilities, and studies have shown this workforce is committed, productive, loyal and willing, when given the opportunity, to work hard to help your organization succeed. So, if you are looking to expand your market share, generate new revenue from this untapped market and see things from a different corporate perspective, it will take a clear Vision, the right Mindset and a lot of Grit to make it happen.

The true measure of success is how well you respond to a changing and diverse marketplace, along with adversity, professional setbacks and fear. Whatever belief system you employ must be powerful enough to conquer these obstacles and any other impediments to your personal and professional growth, or you - and your organization - will be left behind.

Testimonials

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the positive impact you had with your presentation at our National Convention in Branson. It was very important to kick-off our convention with a powerful message and your presentation on Vision, Mindset & Grit did just that! Thank you so much for sharing your story and challenging us with your message. Our attendees were moved, inspired and motivated by your presentation. Not only do you have an incredibly inspiring story with a meaningful message, but you are a gifted communicator and your humble character really impressed our audience. To be such a strong individual who has accomplished so many phenomenal achievements with so much determination and grit, and yet package that with your gracious and humble personality is so rare and challenged all of us to strive to be better people. Thank you for being an "Overcomer" and challenging all of us with your story, your words and your example!
– Steve Bonar - Executive VP / CONKLIN COMPANY
I was preparing for an upcoming conference agenda for my department, and I wanted to finish on a high note that would tie an inspirational message together with some of the business themes we have been experiencing. In talking with Scott, he quickly understood the nature of our business and some of the opportunities and challenges we were facing and was able relate that back to his experience recovering from his accident. We had a great conference, but Scott was undoubtedly the highlight as he absolutely captivated the audience and got several standing ovations. I can’t recommend Scott highly enough if you are looking for someone who can motivate your team and help relate your company’s challenges with those he has faced. Truly one of the best speakers I have had the pleasure of working with or listening to.
– James Ford - VP of Category Strategic Advisory / The Coca-Cola Company
Scott Burrows delivered one of the most talked-about sessions in Gordian history. His keynote presentation, which was based on his book Vision, Mindset, Grit – How to Stand Up When Life Paralyzes You, resonated with the over 450 people that were in the room. He inspired everyone through his incredible story of conquering life’s challenges and adapting to change. He encouraged us ALL that we too can make positive changes when faced with unforeseen obstacles that could change our lives forever. Scott will make you laugh, cry and applaud in deep appreciation for sharing his story and how we can all maintain positive momentum in this thing called life.
– Senior Executive Officer / Gordian Global Solutions
Thank you for your contribution to a successful 2008 kick off for the GE Healthcare's IT business' Sales and Marketing organization. Your story was very inspirational and your message motivational. What really confirmed that you were the right choice for this meeting was your ability to take the information you gathered in our pre-meeting call and weave it seamlessly into your message, which made it relevant to each and every person in the room.
– Chris Powell - Sr. Vice President & GM / Sales & Marketing Americas GE Healthcare Integrated IT Solutions
Spellbound, entertained and inspired are just a few of the words that immediately come to mind when thinking of Scott Burrows and the impact he has with audiences. Focused on making sure his message is received to positively influence, challenge and add value to each audience member is Scott’s goal. I’ve had the privilege of hearing most of the domestic and international’s best and Scott Burrows is among the elite regardless of the ages in his audience, he delivers with incredible style. Standing ovations are great, but Scott is focused more on what each person is inspired to do when they walk out. More interested in “engagement” than entertainment, Scott Burrows delivers.
– Raoul Quintero - President / Americas, Marquet Getinge Group
Scott’s presentation at our Annual Sales Meeting was outstanding. We couldn’t have asked for more! Scott’s Vision, Mindset & Grit message engaged and motivated the entire audience. He customized his message to incorporate our industry and products – something we’ve never had a speaker do for us in the past. This special touch made it even more meaningful to our organization. Scott’s stories were unforgettable and uplifting, and his passion inspired us all!
– Jeff Burik - Executive Vice President / Commerce Bank
Scott hits the sweet spot of sharing a story that is inspirational, but also one with lessons that can be readily applied in our personal and business lives—both delivered in a high-energy style that kept our audience thoroughly engaged.
– Victor Bohnert - Executive Director for Think and Canon

Booksby Scott Burrows

Vision, Mindset, Grit!

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