John Alston

Biography

Skillfully utilizing humor and the power of the story, John Alston is an internationally known keynote speaker and award-winning author who has traveled the world infusing knowledge and inspiration to 3 million people with his message of extraordinary performance.

For more than 20 years, John has been recognized as a premier presenter of keynote speeches delivering as many as 150 presentations per year to corporations worldwide including numerous Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric, Sara Lee, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, General Motors, U.S. Steel, Corning, Bank One, Sprint, and the U.S. Army and Marines.

John's trademark approach enables people, regardless of their workstation, to transcend mediocrity by empowering them with facts, tools, and skills to excel in the new Millennium marketplace. Ho-hum workers are transformed into insatiable achievers as John teaches the most important skill of all learning to operate oneself more effectively. Morale skyrockets, personal accountability becomes more than a buzz word, and the bottom line is positively impacted as John lays out principles to alter how employees think, approach life, and meet challenges such as:
Work hard and smart at what counts
Unlock hidden potential in yourself and others
Reduce stress on the job and at home
Build stellar relationships personally and professionally
Change work climates by adjusting the attitude thermostat

Bringing unparalleled energy and insight to every meeting, John emphasizes character, integrity, and common sense as the cornerstones of his presentation. Why? John's time-tested credo is that happy, fulfilled, and motivated people become happy, fulfilled, and motivated workers.

Even off the platform, John's insights captivate audiences through four books he's authored: Life is a Gift--Don't Trash It; Story Power-Talking with Teens in Turbulent Times; Goodness Must Be Taught; and his latest, Stuff Happens (Then You Fix It!).

John offers impressive credentials having earned the designation of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), which honors speakers in the top echelon of performance excellence. He was also awarded the coveted Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) in 2001.

John's education background is extensive and includes a bachelor or arts degree from Chapman University, and a master's degree in counseling psychology at California State University at Hayward. He's an active member of the Josephson Institute of Ethics Corps and founder of the American Institute for Stress Management. John invests in the lives of students by guest instructing at Canada College, Chapman College, and the University of California Extension.

John's expertise has also thrust him into the medium of television. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and hosted two of his own one-hour specials on the PBS network.

Publications

Reality rules for conquering life’s big challenges. Stuff Happens (and then you fix it!) is a simple guide for getting through life’s rough spots and turning these challenges into positive opportunities for personal growth. Life, as good as it is, is sometimes going to throw some dirt on you. This uplifting and inspirational book by two award winning authors, internationally renowned Speaker Hall of Famer John Alston and five time Emmy award winner Lloyd Thaxton, offers nine “Reality Rules” for dealing with these trying times and getting your life back on track. Keeping these nine rules in mind helps readers prepare for the stuff that happens and gives them the attitude adjustment they need to succeed. The many stories in the book of people bouncing back from all kinds of big and little problems by applying one or more of the nine reality rules offers proof that these rules really work. It’s not what happens to you that’s important, it’s how you respond to what happens and Stuff Happens (and then you fix it!) tells you not only how to respond but how to fix it.

Titles

Stuff Happens Then You Fix It
John Alston is a master of delivering the “how-you-fix-it” answer with simple to understand, easy-to-do techniques.

From Ordinary to Extraordinary
By following these principles your work place can go from ordinary to extraordinary!

The Secrets of Extraordinary Leadership
This program addresses changes, challenges, and common sense in a way that will make effective leaders out of anyone who will apply the skills taught.

Seven Strategies for Managing Diversity in the Workplace
Relate to differences in a volatile and changing world, enhance relationship building skills fundamental to collaboration and the competitive edge and lastly, impact performance that targets productivity and profitability.

Diversity, Change and Common Sense
John Alston offers opportunities to learn about and grow from the demands emerging from diversity as framed by changes in politics, technology, economics and sociological events.