Category: Blog

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Blackburn College: Speaking on Joyous Leadership

In the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to speak on Joyous Leadership at Blackburn College. The first occasion was the Cross County team and staff with my friend and coach, Al Sturgeon. They were celebrating the end of the season with a party and a walk down memory lane. It was my job to entertain but yet motivate the team for even greater things as they go through life.

The second occasion, a couple of weeks later, was to speak at a Leadership Conference hosted by Blackburn and SLIAC (St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). This was a great conference that had speakers and interactive sessions to learn about leadership and leadership styles.

I always love my time with the students and faculty at Blackburn. It is a college, in my opinion, that is a jewel of the mid-west. Their model is everything is student led. Their motto is Learn, Work, Earn. You can graduate with little to no debt. What I like most about Blackburn is they are growing and producing leaders!

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Illinois Women In Leadership – Sept. 22, 2022

On September 22, 2022 I was honored to share Joyous Leadership with the Illinois Women in Leadership. They had a record attendance of 380 plus members attend for their annual conference. The part I love the most is the Q&A session after I speak. I have learned and continue to learn from these strong women in Illinois. Thanks for allowing me to join in!

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I Might Have Overbooked!

An author friend told me to be careful and choose my bookings wisely. When he said that I sort of chuckled and thought, “I’m a new author. No one has heard of me. That won’t be a problem.” I have a deep-rooted history of learning things the hard way (read my book if you don’t believe it). Due to my inability to say “no”, I am pretty well booked for the remainder of 2022. I’m not saying there won’t be exceptions but they would need to be something with little to no travel, otherwise let’s look to 2023.

I must remember; I have a real job. Being an author and speaker are fun but for now I need to pay the bills! Check out my calendar here >

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Joyous Running – Blackburn College Style

L-R Mark Watson, Olivia Leemon, Quentin Smith, and Coach Al Sturgeon

Last week I had the good fortune of spending time with the captains of Blackburn College’ Cross Country team. My lifelong friend Al Sturgeon, VP for Diverse and Equitable Student Life, and now cross country coach did an eight week leadership series as part of their training as captains. We completed their series on our campus at BUNN talking about Joyous Leadership. It was fun to hear their stories of what drew them into leadership. Read more on their training here:> Blackburn Leadership CC

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NPR Illinois Interview

Vanessa Ferguson Interviews Mark about Joyous Leadership

Here is a link to listen to National Public Radio’s Vanessa Ferguson Interview Mark about his new book Joyous Leadership: LISTEN

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Book Signings and Presentations (A BUSY WEEK!)

February 26th was a weekend to remember for me. It was my first ever book signings and then capped off with a presentation on Monday at Arkansas State University with Chancellor’s Leadership Class.

The weekend started with a book signing on Saturday at the Senior Bees Community center where new and old friends gathered to hear about Joyous Leadership and reminisce on old times. It was great to see new friends and old friends/coworkers from days past. I love my old Trumann team!

Sunday was a day of worship and then another book signing in the lobby of 7th and Mueller’s CEC building. The highlight of this signing was my fourth grade teacher, Betty Gatlin, coming to purchase a book and to get her book signed in person.

Monday we trekked down to Arkansas State University’s Delta Business Center to cap off a long weekend speaking to a wonderful group of students that were selected into the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. I loved their energy and enthusiasm.

Tuesday evening I participated in a private group on Zoom known as the Campfire Leadership Team. This is a group of leaders from across the Midwest and Northeast that gather to energize and support one another. We always enjoy our time together and it never fails that everyone learns something new at each gathering. We are planning a retreat and service project this summer. It will be so good to finally get together again!

To end a busy week, I presented Joyous Leadership to Innovate Springfield. This is a group of leaders that help to serve as an incubator for new business launches. It is such a fun and energizing group to be a part of.

I’m going to slow down a bit next week!