John M. Collins Speaking Topics

• The New Superior - A Better Way to Be the One in Charge

  Are there hidden weaknesses in the way you seek to influence people? Are you applying outdated strategies to meet new demands? If you believe that you and your team might benefit from shifting into a higher gear, this presentation is for you.

  Scientific research has revealed exactly how styles and approaches to leadership impact the levels of engagement and motivation felt by the members of any team. The cause-effect relationship is unmistakable. Managers having unhealthy attitudes about their organizational superiority rely on dominance signaling and other oppressive behaviors to compel people to action, which has a deflating effect on their enthusiasm and productivity. On the other hand, reflexively subordinate or indecisive leaders cause teams to feel stuck and unable to move forward. The goal, therefore is to strike a balance that maximizes team effectiveness, which is what this presentation will help attendees to accomplish.

  Some consequential questions that will be answered in this presentation include:

  • Why did Alec Baldwin shoot a member of his set crew?.
  • Why did universities produce sexual predators among esteemed faculty?
  • Why did police lose the trust of communities that need police most?
  • Why did rape complaints grow in frequency on military bases?
  • What is the single cause of all forms of illegal discrimination?
  • What does it take for leaders to earn trust when everything’s on the line?

  Don't settle for being a hierarchy; be a TEAM. This presentation will explain the difference in ways you won't soon forget.

• 30 Years After OJ - The Untold Story of How the Simpson Trial Changed Public Safety Forever

  In June of 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found brutally murdered on a residential sidewalk in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. OJ Simpson, who the public overwhelmingly believed was responsible for the crimes, was tried for the murders but eventually acquitted. Both the investigation and the courtroom drama became reality TV spectacles of historic proportions. But there was a shocking backstory unknown to the press and almost everyone involved in the investigation that set the stage for what would become a criminal justice reform movement that continues to change the way police and our courts protect our communities. Based on his pioneering 2019 textbook "Crime Lab Report," John M. Collins, an award winning forensic expert and forensic laboratory executive, will explain the lasting 30-year impact of the OJ Simpson trial and the ongoing battle to preserve or reform our societal methods for enforcing laws and punishing predators. This is a presentation you can't afford to miss. The safety of your family and your community are at stake.

The Bombing of the 1996 Olympics - How Failed Leadership Failed a Nation

In his 2022 book, "The New Superior • A Better Way to Be the One in Charge," John M. Collins reflects on his personal experiences and observations during the investigation of one of the most shocking criminal acts in American history, which led to one of the largest and longest manhunts ever undertaken. Unfortunately, big egos, careless leadership decisions, and the inability to handle the pressure of the situation caused an innocent man to be erroneously implicated, delaying the capture of the man who, in fact, planted the bomb in downtown Atlanta that killed two people. Before long, more bombs exploded, sending the already taxed investigative team into a frenzy. Now, in this presentation.

John takes you behind the scenes deep into the forensic laboratory where experts worked feverishly to solve the case despite the chaos that threatened to undermine the investigation and possibly prevent the real bomber from ever being captured. From this story come invaluable lessons on teamwork, leadership, expertise, and the will to get the job done even under the most difficult circumstances.

Show Up Strong: The Assertiveness Problem and How to Develop Teams that Can Handle Pressure

Something has happened. The assertiveness and confidence we need to enjoy better leadership in our communities and organizations seems to be on the decline. Fear of decision-making, avoidance of conflict, hesitation to express opinions, and the unwillingness to take risks are just of few of the problems that will be discussed in this eye-opening presentation about the importance of "showing up strong". The complexity of today's challenges requires the willingness and ability of people in positions of influence to be assertive, have integrity, and apply their expertise with confidence and honor. But for this to happen, we have to create the conditions in which assertiveness, strength, and an authoritative presence can be developed, nurtured, and unleashed for the greater good. In this presentation, John M. Collins will explain the importance of assertiveness and how flawed leadership practices prevent the members of a team or community from accepting the risks that come with it.

Conflict and Personalities: How to Engage Challenging People and Situations

When the stakes are high, conflict is inevitable and sometimes exacerbated by challenging personalities. The tension that results can derail the efforts of a team to stay united and focused on what's important. The good news is that there are some techniques and insights that will not only help you engage these situations with more ease and effectiveness, you can enjoy the sense of confidence that comes from feeling prepared for them before they happen. The key is to understand the spectrum of interpersonal discourse that distinguishes conflict from collaboration, and then focus on creating the conditions in which collaboration can occur naturally and with minimal resistance. Unfortunately, fear of conflict and the unwillingness to engage in difficult conversations causes people to not trust each other, which only worsens the intensity of the conflict. In this presentation, you will learn how to engage conflict and challenging personalities with more expertise, savvy, and overall effectiveness.