Jo Condrill Motivational Speaker and
Author, is the founder and CEO of GoalMinds, Inc.
NSAEN: Good afternoon Jo and thank you for taking the
time out from your hectic schedule to be interviewed
by No Strings Attached E News.
Could you tell us something about yourself?
JC: I’m just an ordinary person who has managed to
achieve some extraordinary things in my life, mainly through persistence. Life
is an adventure. I love what I do and I like to stay busy. I like learning and
I try to keep up with new technology. I relish “rubbing brains” with other
people...sharing new ideas, sometimes coming from opposite directions. I don’t
like confrontation, but won’t run when things get tense. I believe that with
respect for other people we can discuss just about anything.
NSAEN: You worked in
the past for the Pentagon, one of the first women in a non military position as
Deputy Division Chief for Logistics Plans and Operations, Department of the
Army. How did this position affect your life, future and personal life?
JC: My position in the Pentagon taught me a lot of
things. I learned how to get things done by other people who had vastly
different backgrounds from mine. Most of the officers coming into our division
were coming from command positions where they had soldiers and secretaries to
carry on some of their work. In our office, they had a computer and had to do
most of the work themselves. They did not expect to find a civilian woman of
authority. They knew that I had not commanded troops as they had. Most of them
quickly learned, though, that I had experience that they needed to survive in
the Pentagon environment and only once did an officer vociferously challenge
me. I did not defend myself, but left him to think things over. He soon calmed
down and came to my office to get a better understanding of the issue. I have
never seen a harder-working, more dedicated group than in our office at the
Pentagon.
Having the respect of the officers, including general officers, and
civilians was a huge step up for me in my life and in my future. I worked
through some major problems with them and one of the officers paid me a very
high compliment when he was reassigned. When he came in for his “exit visit” he
said that I was the best boss he ever had. I would listen and ask questions
that let him arrive at his own solutions. That same officer called me for help
when he was moving his troops to
When I left the Pentagon the Secretary of the Army awarded me the
highest distinction a civilian can receive from the Army, The Decoration for
Exceptional Civilian Service. That award and the fact that I graduated from the
NSAEN: What obstacles did you have to overcome as a
female in this powerful position?
JC: Working at the highest echelon of the military was
a bit heady at first, later it was just hard work. My biggest challenge
initially was building up my own confidence. The military wear their rank on
their uniform; I didn’t have any insignia as a civilian and I worried at first
that people in the hallways would think that I was on the clerical staff. I
didn’t have another woman I could turn to for advice. So I never smiled,
thinking that I would be sending the wrong message. That was in the late ‘80s. Things are different now. The general
officers were not accustomed to a civilian woman at first, but gradually, I
gained their confidence. I loved my job there and the daily challenges. I loved
seeing how things really work by participating in, and sometimes leading, very
important conferences.
NSAEN: You chose to leave the Pentagon to pursue your new
career and dream. Did you ever regret that decision?
JC: I make it a habit not to look back and wonder
“what if.” I started laying the
foundation for my company while still working in the Pentagon and went from
that job into a business of my own the next day. I worked just as hard, only
then, I owned the office! That was just as challenging as the Pentagon, but the
level of responsibility was far less. The only thing I could lose was money. No
regrets.
NSAEN: You are a very busy woman and your weeks are
filled with motivational speaking engagements, publishing your book and hosting
your radio talk show. Can you tell our readers how you manage such a busy
schedule, and is there enough time left for personal
matters?
If you had asked me that question two years ago, I would have said “What
personal matters?” I was a work-a-holic! I poured everything into building a
business, GoalMinds. Now, life is different. I’ve learned that my calendar has
places for personal things. What a concept! I have friends in several countries
and family nearby. I love to travel and I socialize a lot more, “smelling the
roses.”
One of the most valuable time-savers for me is to add details to my
appointment schedule, such as phone numbers, address and driving directions.
That way when the time comes, I don’t have to start looking for
the information. That may seem elementary to some people, but it took me a
while to discover how useful it is!
NSAEN: What is your personal motivation?
JC: I am a high energy person and I love challenges. I
like to get my brain around a problem and wrestle with it. It brings me a lot
of satisfaction to see the results of my work.
NSAEN: What is your greatest source of inspiration?
JC: My greatest source of inspiration is listening to
or reading about other people who overcame obstacles and survived or even
thrived. I interview many people for my Internet broadcasts and podcasts who
inspire and teach me. I want to share their messages with the world so I’m
setting up a new website, http://www.survivor-secrets.com.
It used to surprise me how many of them mention God, Jesus, and Mohammad. Now
I’m accustomed to it.
NSAEN: Did you have any mentor when you started out as a
writer and motivational speaker?
JC: Yes, the late Dottie Walters was my mentor—quite
by accident, I thought. When I was on the Board of Directors for Toastmasters
International, I was assigned to introduce Dottie for her presentation at an
International Convention. She asked to meet with me and I expected that she
would be giving me her introduction. Rather than telling me all about herself
and her numerous achievements, she asked me what I would like to be doing most.
Without thinking, I replied that I wanted to become a published author. Dottie
was a celebrity in the world of professional speaking. She had written several
books, and published a magazine, Sharing Ideas. Dottie showed me the ropes and encouraged
me for many years.
NSAEN: What motivated you to write The Master Mind Manual; Take charge of your Life and 101 Ways to
improve your communication skills instantly?
JC: When I figure something out, I like to share it
with others. I seem to have a talent for organizing facts and writing about
them so that other people can more easily understand the process. I get
pleasure in having people respond enthusiastically about my work. I admire
fiction writers who can make up characters and write imaginative dialogue. My
first book, 101 Ways to Improve Your
Communication Skills Instantly, was coauthored by Bennie Bough, Ph.D. We were
becoming professional speakers and a book is a great calling card. It
establishes a speaker’s credentials. That book is now in its fourth edition and
has been translated and sold by publishers in twelve countries. I really feel
good about that! Now I teach others how to become published authors and market
their work.
Again, the Master Mind Manual was sorting out what I did in the master
mind groups I formed or participated in using Napoleon Hill’s ideas in Think and Grow Rich. This eBook provides
a step by step method so that anyone can do what I did.
Take
Charge of Your Life was many years in the making. I used the
principles I talk about in my own life. They took me from the poverty level to
business owner. When I was District Governor for Toastmasters International in
a
NSAEN: What is the most challenging aspect of writing and
coaching and why?
JC: The most challenging aspect of writing is
discipline. Setting aside the time to write. It is not all inspiration for me.
Yes, I get bright ideas sometimes, but I need time lines and deadlines. My
first book was written in nine months.
I love coaching and don’t find that particularly challenging—unless it
is in getting more people to coach!
NSAEN: Tell us a little about your seminars, coaching and
motivational speaking engagements to understand what you offer and what a
client can expect to receive once he becomes a client of yours.
JC: My clients get a personable, story-telling,
energized performer who wants the best for them. My first concern is my
client’s needs and I’ll go to great lengths to satisfy those needs. My seminar
work focuses on customer service, leadership and communication skills
primarily. My associates present some of the other courses I offer on http://www.jocondrill.com I use the DiSCâ behavior
profile to help clients and groups understand their own behavior style and how
it affects their relationships at work and at home. With this instrument, they
also learn to understand the behavior of others.
My favorite opportunity is presenting the Take Charge of Your Life
process for personal or group leadership. I have presented this process from
I coach people in improving their interpersonal communication skills and
in writing, publishing, and marketing their books. That can be long distance or
in person. I feel like the wind beneath their wings.
Regarding motivational speaking, I present motivation with a method, not
only uplifting spirits, but leaving something with the audience that they can
act upon.
NSAEN: You have met many people and have great clients,
what is your ideal client?
JC: My ideal client is one who is open to new ideas.
One of the greatest barriers to learning is the inclination to say “I already
knew that” rather than considering an idea. My ideal client is dedicated to his
or her vision, persistent in taking action and, of course, pays my fee in a
timely manner.
NSAEN: What advice would you give to someone who is
interested in becoming a motivational speaker?
JC: “Walk your talk.” Authenticity is a critical
element for me. Don’t just read a book and then make up a speech for me. If you
have not experienced what you’re trying to get me to believe and do, go work at
it for a while, then come back and tell me how you made it happen. You’ve got
to feel it. Your passion will be your success.
NSAEN: You have accomplished so much from being a
successful international speaker, author and coauthor of 4 books. What are your
next goals and projects?
JC: I want to do something to help the wounded
warriors and their spouses make a better life for themselves. Part of that
effort will be through motivational speeches. I have speakers in mind who can have a positive impact in their lives, I feel sure.
I am developing a sponsor proposal to get a few corporations involved with me.
I mentioned that I have interviewed people who have survived challenges and
went on to become successful, and I plan to make these interviews available on
iTunes.
NSAEN: What do you think is the biggest obstacles for
women in today’s world?
JC: I believe many women are distracted by hype and
settle for “fun,” letting someone else take charge of their lives. They don’t
realize how much fun one can have in pursuit of a higher goal. Sometimes that
obstacle is only a challenge that can be overcome. You don’t hear about hard
work and the value in becoming more tomorrow than we are today. Women some
years ago fought hard to earn the women’s rights we enjoy today. We still have
some challenges in the pay gap and other areas and we need young women to step
up to the plate and keep advancing life for all women.
NSAEN: What is your message for women in general who are
trying to make their dreams come true in our days?
JC: “Cheers! I am proud of you! Be strong; persevere; know that you are not alone.
There is a higher power who cares about you and a
multitude of people who want you to succeed.
NSAEN: If you had the opportunity to meet three
influential people, who would you choose and why?
JC: President George W. Bush, because he is the leader
of the free world, a man of principles who does not govern by popular opinion.
Steve Jobs -- I would ask him to give an iPod to each wounded warrior of
the
Oprah Winfrey because I’d like to introduce her to my book, Take Charge of Your Life, and ask her
include it among the books she recommends
NSAEN: What would you like our readers to know that we
don’t know about you and is a secret you usually don’t let anybody know?
JC: I’m a “late bloomer.” I earned my undergraduate
degree after I had four children. I guess I’ve been trying to catch up ever
since!
NSAEN: If you would have three wishes what would you wish
for and why?
JC: One. Universal peace, tranquility. Why? War is hell. Greed and
intolerance are destroying us.
Two. Basic
needs met for everyone and rewards for enterprising individuals and
corporations that raise us to a higher living standard and value creativity,
integrity, and industriousness.
Three. A billion dollars so I could participate in making
some of the other wishes come true.
NSAEN: If someone wants to hire you how do they get in
touch with you?
JC: I’m available by phone 210 595-1340 and after we
connect, by email.
You can also reach me via Skype.com. You’ll find me in several social
networks on the Internet such as Management and Book Marketing on NING.COM
NSAEN: Thank you for the interview and we wish you
happiness and success in your future.
Interviewed by Beatrice Davis