Tom Dubos
Get ready for an exciting and insightful keynote that draws on my experiences as an IRONMAN triathlete, ski patroller, and search and rescue volunteer. Throughout this presentation, I’ll share impactful stories and hard-earned lessons from navigating challenging environments. Key themes include building strong relationships, adopting a CEO/owner mindset, and harnessing the power of resourcefulness to overcome obstacles.
If you’re a fan of NCET Biz Talk programs, you’ve already gained valuable insights on finance, HR, cybersecurity, branding and marketing — all critical for business success. But this year, I’m shifting the focus to something just as important: your mindset and personal effectiveness.
I’m Tom Dubos, and last year, I spoke about sales skills to help grow your business. This time, we’re diving into leadership, the importance of relationships, and how to leverage your unique skills and personality. Like before, this talk will be filled with real-world stories — from competing in IRONMAN triathlons and serving on a ski patrol to volunteering with Search and Rescue. And yes, I might just have another entertaining blind date story to share!
Learning from Life’s Challenges
It’s often our greatest struggles that teach us the most valuable lessons. I’ve faced my share of setbacks — losing a job, missing a major goal, or dealing with personal challenges — and each one pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Those difficult moments forced me to tap into strengths I didn’t know I had and opened doors I might never have considered.
One quality I admire in successful people is resourcefulness — the ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive in uncertain or difficult situations. Resourceful individuals are proactive, solution-oriented, and indispensable team players. But how do you develop resourcefulness? Here are three key principles:
1. Pause and Assess
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the first step is to stop and think. Take a moment to fully understand the situation before rushing into action. Too often, I’ve been guilty of the “ready, fire, aim” approach, when a more measured response could have led to better outcomes. Thoughtful assessment helps identify both challenges and potential solutions before committing to a course of action.
2. Seek Information and Resources
Once you have a clear picture of the situation, explore your options based on the resources available. This is where creativity plays a key role — how can you bridge the gap between what you have and what you need? Evaluate whether it’s more beneficial to acquire additional resources or take immediate action with what’s at hand. If you’re a fan of “The Princess Bride,” you’ll appreciate the scene where Westley and Fezzik strategize to storm the castle. It’s proof that sometimes, all you need is a wheelbarrow and a cloak! (If you don’t get the reference, go watch the movie — you won’t regret it.)
3. Take Proactive Action
This final step is often the hardest — especially if you tend to wait for the “perfect” moment. The truth is, you’ll never feel completely ready, and you’ll never have all the information you’d like. But fortune favors the bold! Push beyond your comfort zone, take calculated risks, and avoid the regret of “woulda, coulda, shoulda.”
Own Your Destiny
Shameless plug alert: I’ll be expanding on these ideas in my upcoming NCET Biz Talk presentation, Own Your Destiny, on Wednesday, March 19. In this session, we’ll explore additional strategies for personal effectiveness, including building trust, strengthening relationships, and developing an ownership mindset. As always, expect engaging stories —including a few personally embarrassing ones — that bring these lessons to life.
Join me for an inspiring discussion that will challenge you to rethink your approach to leadership, problem-solving, and personal growth. Whether you're an entrepreneur, professional, or someone looking to level up in life, this talk will leave you with actionable takeaways to become more effective, resilient, and resourceful. See you there!
Learn more about personal effectiveness and how to Own Your Destiny at NCET’s Biz Talk on March 19 at the UNR Innevation Center from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. and networking from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free to attend, pre-registration required.
NCET is a member-supported nonprofit organization that produces educational and networking events to help people explore business and technology.
Tom DuBos is an accomplished speaker and recovering engineer, who helps busy professionals discover their capacity for greatness, and achieve it. More info at www.tomdubos.com