We recently had the privilege of interviewing Radislav Gandapas, CEO and Visionary at Radislav Gandapas International (RGI). Alongside, Radislav is also the President of the CIS Speakers Association and best selling author of 12 books. With a passion for public speaking, the CEO made this the centerpiece of his work life and has been ranked 27, at Top-30 Global Gurus in 2020.
Delivering hundreds of speeches globally on leadership, personal effectiveness, and achieving success, Radislav has positively impacted many lives in the process. In this insightful session, Radislav shares his professional journey and visions for this industry.
The Beginning
We started the interview by asking, “Could you describe your career journey and the pivotal experiences that shaped your path to becoming a leader in your industry?”
Radislav shared, “In various roles such as a digger on an archaeological expedition, roofer,
lifeguard on the beach, a school teacher, and head of a scientist community, I gained valuable skills and experiences. Each role required different qualities like courage, patience, and intelligence. However, the most important condition to success in my career is a continuous desire for personal growth and learning.
And of course, the powerful booster is an opportunity to learn from masters. I was lucky to collaborate and communicate with personalities like Bryan Tracy, Marshall Goldsmith, Allan Pease, John Grey, Oliver Stone, Mike Tyson, and others and gathered the most valuable learnings from them.”
Adaptability Amidst Uncertainties
Covid was a tough time for almost every industry around the world. To learn how Radislav Gandapas dealt with the same, we asked, “As your company has grown and faced various challenges, how has your original vision evolved to meet these changes?”
He shared, “Business events form the foundation of my main business. This is why our entire business has suffered greatly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. None of us could have predicted that it would go on for so long. I had given at least a hundred speeches globally before this pandemic and not a single one during the period. There are five rooms in the office, and my staff felt unnecessary along with my knowledge and abilities.
I recall being at a loss for what to do while I sat in the empty office. But I’m afloat and time is flying by. When things are bad, don’t stay inside. Give those you trust a call and explain the situation. Although they wouldn’t have been in a better situation, you can manage to figure things out. Unfortunately, my friend and colleague, Andrew, who supported me the most, was also taken away by Covid.”
Emerging Trends In The Industry
To learn about the perspective of Radislav Gandapas on emerging market trends, we inquired, “Looking at the horizon, which emerging trend do you believe is undervalued but will significantly impact your industry in the next few years?”
“Tomorrow’s AI is both impressive and daunting, with the ability to improve presentations, better slides, engage with audiences, and translate speeches. It’s even predicted to potentially replace humans on stage. My son tells me that tomorrow has already come.” He replied.
Filling Market Gaps
We further asked, “Was there a specific moment when you identified an unmet need in the market that inspired you to start your venture? How did you turn that idea into reality?”
Radislav responded, “I aimed to change the boring presentations by helping managers improve public speaking. My mission was clear – to make every manager ashamed of speaking poorly in public. Eventually, I launched the book ‘Kama Sutra of Public Speaking,’ founded the Speakers Association, and set up the Academy of Public Speaking.”
Power Of Vision
To understand how Radislav Gandapas assesses the right move, we asked, “In the transforming environment of your industry, how do you assess when it’s time to pivot your strategy versus when to stay the course?”
“Many companies constantly speculate on market preferences but few have the courage and patience to create demand for previously nonexistent products. Adapting to changing winds is common, but shaping market trends requires uncommon determination and vision.” He replied.
Power Of Authenticity
To have a strong brand presence, it is paramount to offer unique services. So, we asked, “With so many players in your field, how does your service offering distinguish itself? Could you share the inspiration behind one of your key services?”
Radislav shared, “What upsets me in modern marketing is that it says how to promote your service, how to become something special in your customer’s eyes, how to seem better. But the path to real success in business is to be, not to seem to be the best. We have to think about how to do our best at what we do, we have to focus on true quality.”
Transformation Society With Exceptional Leadership
Sustainability and social responsibility are critical in the current business world. So, we inquired, “How have you integrated these principles into the fabric of your company, and why do you think it’s essential for your sector?”
He replied, “We enhance communication and leadership skills to help clients achieve goals efficiently. As a speaker, I promote assertive communication and non-violent leadership, focusing on team development. The impact of these leaders reaches beyond offices to influence society as a whole.”
Thriving In Changing Landscape
We ended the interview by asking, “As we look into the future, faced with both opportunities and uncertainties, how are you positioning your company to not just survive but flourish?”
He concluded, “I believe that those who sincerely wish their clients to flourish will flourish themselves.”
Follow Radislav Gandapas on LinkedIn.
Find Radislav Gandapas International on LinkedIn and visit their website https://www.radislavgandapas.com/eng/
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