Garrison Leykam, PhD

Audacious at Any Age
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UConn Waterbury
October 11, 2019

Postcards from the Highway of Life
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UConn Waterbury
September 13, 2019

Classic Diners of Connecticut
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UConn Waterbury
September 06, 2019

DAY 91: HARNESSING THE POWER OF POSITIVE SELF-TALK
Garrison Leykam
February 14, 2024

In the journey towards our goals, the words we speak to ourselves carry immense weight. They can either propel us forward with confidence and determination or hold us back with doubt and fear. The transformative power of positive self-talk can shape our path to success.

TRANSFORMATIVE TIPS FOR MAKING A CAREER (AND LIFE) PIVOT
Garrison Leykam
February 12, 2024

Embarking on a career or life pivot can be both exhilarating and daunting. It’s a journey that demands self-discovery, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change. Here are some invaluable tips to help you navigate this transformative process and uncover your ultimate purpose.

DAY 62: ELEVATING YOUR LIFE: INTEGRATING WEIGHT LOSS AND PERSONAL GROWTH
Garrison Leykam Career Blog
January 10, 2024

Embarking on a weight loss journey or committing to a regular workout routine isn’t just about shedding pounds or building muscle; it’s an opportunity for personal growth and development. When you view your fitness goals as part of a broader journey toward self-improvement, the results can be truly transformative. Here are 10 strategies to help you integrate weight loss and working out into your personal growth journey.

CHARTING YOUR CAREER COURSE WITH CHATGPT: 3 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS
Garrison Leykam
December 27, 2023

Navigating a career transition can be as daunting as embarking on a deep-sea adventure. But fear not! With ChatGPT as your trusty compass, you’ll discover new horizons and opportunities.

EMBRACING THE FUTURE OF JOB SEARCH WITH AI
Garrison Leykam
December 07, 2023

The world of job search is undergoing a transformative shift, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this revolution. With the rise of generative models like ChatGPT, AI is poised to reshape various aspects of our professional lives.

DAY 25: MONDAY MOTIVATION: SETTING THE TONE FOR SUCCESS
Garrison´s Great
December 04, 2023

Hey there, fellow adventurers! It’s the start of a brand new week, and while Thursday is my official weigh-in day, I’m here to share some Monday motivation that applies not only to Garrison’s Great Weight Loss Adventure but also to life and career.

MASTERING THE ART OF LINKEDIN SKILLS
Garrison Leykam
November 15, 2023

In a world where the intersection of professional prowess and digital networks defines our career landscape, LinkedIn stands as the beacon of opportunity. Today, I’d like to discuss a crucial facet of your LinkedIn journey – the art of choosing the right skills to add to your profile.

NAVIGATING A CAREER CHANGE: STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION
Garrison Leykam
November 14, 2023

So, you’ve decided it’s time to change careers. You’re ready to trade in your office cubicle for a different view, or maybe you’ve just had it with your current gig. Whatever the reason, making a career change is a bit like deciding to switch from coffee to tea. It’s a bold move that requires a strategy. Let’s dive into the career change process and discover the steps for a successful transition.

READY TO MAKE A CAREER CHANGE? DISCOVER HOW TO LEVERAGE LINKEDIN EFFECTIVELY!
Garrison Leykam
November 07, 2023

In today’s fast-paced and competitive job market, professionals are constantly seeking new opportunities and exploring different career paths. Thankfully, LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform, has become an invaluable tool for individuals looking to make a career change.

Unlocking Sales Leadership Potential with AI, 8 of 10: Implementing AI: Steps to Success in Sales Leadership
LinkedIn
October 02, 2023

In today's fast-paced business landscape, staying ahead of the competition requires constant adaptation and innovation. Sales leaders are no strangers to this challenge, and they are increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to gain an edge. If you're a sales leader looking to implement AI successfully, this step-by-step guide is for you. We'll cover best practices, potential challenges, and how to overcome them, along with valuable resources like ChatGPT to facilitate your AI journey.

Unlocking Sales Leadership Potential with AI, 2 of 10: AI-Powered Sales Insights
LinkedIn
September 27, 2023

Sales leadership is no stranger to data. In fact, it's inundated with it. Data streams in from various sources – CRM systems, marketing analytics, customer feedback, and more. The challenge isn't the lack of data; it's the ability to harness it effectively. Human analysis, while valuable, has its limitations in dealing with vast datasets in real time

Unlocking Sales Leadership Potential with AI: Introduction
LinkedIn
September 26, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of sales, staying ahead of the competition requires embracing the power of artificial intelligence (AI). Welcome to the first of a series of 10 articles that will explore how AI, specifically ChatGPT, can be a game-changer in sales leadership

UNLOCKING YOUR NETWORK: THE KEY TO LANDING YOUR DREAM JOB
Garrison Leykam Career Blog
September 06, 2023

Are you on the hunt for your next career move? Don’t underestimate the power of your network!

IF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS ARE USING AI, WHY AREN’T YOU?
Garrison Leykam Career Blog
August 13, 2023

You don’t need to be a programmer to use AI for streamlining your job search, cutting through the complexities of job applications, and making the job search less of a full-time job. These statistics should boost any reluctance you have to put your toes into the AI waters: 7 in 10 job seekers who use ChatGPT saw a higher response rate from hiring managers (78% secured an interview, and 59% went on to get hired). Here are some suggestions for using AI to rev up your job

OVERCOMING JOB SEARCH FEARS: HOW CHATGPT CAN EMPOWER COLLEGE GRADUATES
Garrison Leykam Career Blog
August 05, 2023

As recent college graduates venture into the job market, they often find themselves on a rollercoaster of emotions. The excitement of starting a new chapter in their lives is coupled with anxiety and fear about the challenges that lie ahead. However, there’s a powerful ally in this journey – ChatGPT, an AI language model that can provide valuable guidance and support. In this article, we will explore the top fears faced by college graduates during their job search and how ChatGPT can help overcome these challenges with practical advice, real-life examples, and encouragement.

CHATGPT FOR CAREER SEARCHING AND CAREER FUTURE PROOFING
Garrison Leykam Career Blog
July 14, 2023

ChatGPT is an exciting and useful tool for job seekers and career transitioners to define their ideal job, identify companies that align with their values, develop personalized job plans, find opportunities, network, create resumes and cover letters, optimize application materials, prepare for interviews, and much more.

WAYS TO COPE WITH LOSING YOUR JOB
Garrison Leykam
April 30, 2023

Losing a job can be a difficult and stressful experience. It can be especially challenging if you did not see the layoff coming, or if you have been working at the company for a long time. However, it is important to remember that this is not the end of your career. There are things you can do to cope with a recent layoff and move forward. Here are specific steps you can take to manage this difficult time.

Start Your Job Search with a Personal Mission Statement
LinkedIn
April 28, 2023

A mission statement is a powerful tool for job seekers. It can guide your career path and help you stay focused on your goals. A well-crafted mission statement can facilitate clarifying your purpose, values, and ambitions, and communicate them effectively to potential employers. A powerful mission statement can make you stand out from the competition. Everything you do that’s connected with your job search should be tested against your mission statement to make sure you’re laser focused on achieving your career goals.

What We Can Learn About DEI from Rock Groups
LinkedIn
April 21, 2023

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical concepts that have become increasingly relevant in today’s society and business. Many popular rock groups have taken it upon themselves to promote these values through their music, actions, and advocacy. By examining the strategies used by these groups, we can learn valuable lessons about how to create a more inclusive and equitable society and work culture.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD YOU SPEND JOB HUNTING?
Garrison Leykam
April 11, 2023

Job hunting can be an exhausting and frustrating process, especially when you’re not sure how much time you should be spending on it. On one hand, you don’t want to waste all of your time searching for a job when you could be using that time to improve your skills or work on other projects. On the other hand, you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity because you didn’t put in enough effort. So, how much time should you spend job hunting?

THE “LITTLE BOX OF 10” AND OTHER CAREER GOODIES FOR RANKING HIGH AS A CANDIDATE AND GETTING RECRUITERS’ ATTENTION
Garrison Leykam
April 09, 2023

Most job seekers typically begin their searches by entering a job title in the search bar to see what opportunities come up. From there, they read the Overview and Key Responsibilities and peruse the Qualifications to see if they meet the prospective employer’s eligibility criteria. But very few job seekers scroll down to what I call the “Little Box of 10” where over half of recruiters make initial decisions about whether to consider a candidate.

ENTREPRENEURISM IN 2023: THE OTHER CAREER PATH
Garrison Leykam
April 02, 2023

Entrepreneurship in 2023 is likely to be characterized by a continuation of trends that have been emerging in recent years, including the rise of technology-enabled businesses, the increasing importance of sustainability and social impact, and the growing popularity of remote work.

SHOULD YOU POST YOUR RESUME ON LINKEDIN?
Garrison Leykam
March 18, 2023

Having a LinkedIn Profile today is not the option it was in the early 2000s. To not have one in 2023 is declaring yourself out of touch. To not be active on it is a professional shortcoming. While it is unlikely that LinkedIn will ever replace document or file-based resumes in the foreseeable future, it may not be the best place to post your resume. And here’s why.

APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE: GETTING PAST THE GATEKEEPER
Garrison Leykam
March 14, 2023

Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) is used by organizations to manage their recruitment processes. It allows recruiters to manage job postings, track resumes and applications, and communicate with candidates. ATS can be used to streamline the recruitment process and make it more efficient. It can also be a job seeker’s worst nightmare if not prepared. Here’s how to be the key master.

THE CASE FOR BEING IN PERPETUAL FORWARD MOTION
Garrison Leykam
March 12, 2023

Perpetual forward motion refers to the idea of continuously moving forward, without ever stopping or slowing down. While it may seem like an exhausting concept, there are several compelling reasons why perpetual forward motion could be a desirable state:

AI POWERED JOB HUNTING: How To Leverage ChatGPT To Land Your Dream Job
amazon
June 09, 2023

Are you tired of the traditional job search methods that yield little to no results? Are you looking for a game-changing approach to land your dream job? Look no further! Introducing AI-Powered Job Hunting: How to Leverage ChatGPT to Land Your Dream Job.

Audacious at Any Age: Second Act Strategies from a Career Chameleon
PublishDrive
May 18, 2019

Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Business Coach (Expert Level), Certified Remote Work Professional, and Forbes contributor, Garrison Leykam doesn’t just believe that everyone is capable of creating their own second act careers. This AARP card-carrying motorcyclist and “career chameleon” has proved it himself many times over. Garrison has been a successful record producer for industry giant London Records, performed as a singer-songwriter at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Café and CBGBs, president of his own record label, held leadership positions at major corporations, been an AM radio news-talk personality, a stand-up comic at NYC’s legendary Gotham Comedy Club, and a documentary host and producer for Connecticut Public Television (CPTV). In Audacious at Any Age, Garrison shares his career reinvention lessons learned and motivates readers to find and follow their own dreams no matter what their age.

DESIGN YOU
Booklocker.com, Inc.
January 05, 2017

Seventy percent of people surveyed in a Gallup poll either hate their jobs or are completely disengaged. A Harris survey revealed that only 14 percent of U.S. workers believe they have the perfect job and more than half want to change careers. According to the Labor Department, the average person born in the later years of the baby boom held 10.5 jobs from age 18 to 40. Fifty-four million Americans, or 40 percent of the work force, have left their jobs looking for something better.

We are living in a time when Americans and, in fact, everyone of working age, are career hopscotching, looking to make sense of their lives and careers in search of fulfillment without a map to guide them. Until now.

Applying the principles of Industrial Design to living an authentic life based upon one's true talents, abilities and passion, DESIGN YOU provides readers with the motivation, confidence and a road map to reclaim their true identity, and live the life they are meant to live. DESIGN is for every one of the millions of Americans who want to blaze their own life trail, and do work that is meaningful to themselves and others.

Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC)
CPCC/PARWHQ
May 02, 2020

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
CPCC/PARWHQ
May 02, 2020

Certified Remote Work Professional
WorkPlaceLess
April 21, 2020

Certified Life Coach - Expert Rating
ExpertRating Inc.
December 16, 2019

Certified Remote Work Professional
WorkPlaceLess
December 16, 2019

Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP)
Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches
June 30, 2018

2nd Act: Garrison Leykam
The Palace Theater
March 26, 2019

Live Your Passion
Rotary Club of West Hartford
January 14, 2016

GARRISON TALKS ABOUT 2ND ACTS WITH RADIO ICON BRAD DAVIS
WDRC Radio
March 21, 2019

Garrison’s amazing life journey from music producer to corporate podium
Valley Life
November 12, 2018

An Expert's Top 5 Diners
Connecticut Magazine
June 01, 2017

Connecticut's Best Diners: 22 Great Greasy Spoons
Connecticut Magazine
June 01, 2017

Special Guests on Those Diner and Motorcycle Guys
Those Diner and Motorcycle Guys podcast
September 05, 2015

Author Writes Book On Classic Connecticut Diners
FOX 61 TV
November 21, 2013

New book about Connecticut diners
WTNH TV
October 30, 2013

How To Be A Standup Comedian
filmfestivals.com
February 06, 2012

Touring Connecticut Panel
The Big Book Club Getaway
February 21, 2014

Kristi DePaul on Compensation Negotiation
Java, Jobs
April 28, 2022

Kristi DePaul talks with Garrison about negotiating compensation on this episode of Java, Jobs, and You. Kristi is a recognized authority on career navigation and personal branding. Her work has appeared internationally and has been cited by prominent think tanks and universities. She is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and was recently named one of the world's top 50 Remote Innovators. Kristi is founder and principal at Nuanced, a thought leadership firm for executives, and serves as CEO of Founders, a fully remote content agency focused on the future of learning and the future of work. She earned her master’s degree from the H. John Heinz III College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University.

TRACEY GENDRON: AGEISM UNMASKED
Java, Jobs
April 16, 2022

Dr. Tracey Gendron serves as Chair for the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Gerontology and as Director for the Virginia Center on Aging. She has Master’s degree in Gerontology and Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology. Tracey is dedicated to raising awareness and ending ageism through education. Her book, Ageism Unmasked, peels back the layers to expose how cultural norms and unconscious prejudices have seeped into our lives, silently shaping our treatment of others based on their age and our own misconceptions about aging - and even about ourselves. Offering an all-inclusive approach, Tracey reveals the biases behind our false understanding of aging, sharing powerful opportunities for personal growth along with strategies to help create an anti-ageist society.

Kevyn Rustici on The Future of HR
Java, Jobs
March 11, 2022

Garrison's guest on this episode of Java, Jobs, and YOU is Kevyn Rustici, Area Vice President and Strategic Human Capital Consultant for Gallagher, a global insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting firm. Kevyn is a critical partner with business leaders and HR departments to understand how programs directly impact the bottom line so they can work together to unlock the full potential of their people, while designing great places to work so their team members deliver a greater return on their investment. He has successfully demonstrated that HR departments no longer must be cost centers to the business but can become profit centers yielding a greater return on their people investments.

Food, Frogs, And Fondue At Hall Memorial Library
Hartford Courant
January 15, 2014

‘Classic Diners of Connecticut’ author talks in Guilford, West Haven
New Haven Register
January 11, 2014

GARRISON LEYKAM: CLASSIC DINERS OF CONNECTICUT
patch
December 14, 2013

The Resume Leg of Your Career Branding Stool
Post
May 11, 2020

Helpful hints for improving your résumé, one of 3 legs of your career branding stool

Certified Business Coach (Expert Level)

Location: Farmington, CT    Fees: Contact for quote

Service Type: Service Offered

As a Certified Business Coach and Certified Life Coach, I can assist and guide you in successfully running your business by helping you to clarify the vision of your business and how it holistically fits in with both your professional and personal goals. if your business is not linked to your personal dreams, goals and plans, there is no burning reason why getting to that business goal is critical. Collaboratively, we’ll stoke your entrepreneurial fire and I will:

1. Help you define and define a vision of your desired business outcome and create a brand story for it.
2. Provide an objective and frank view of your current situation and the external and internal factors impacting your business.
3. Use a systematic process to analyze the situation and identify actions that will move the organization to your desired outcomes.
4. Guide your business to commit to actions to be executed, and set measurable goals that will be used to evaluate progress to the optimum state.
5. Establish accountability of you and your business stakeholders to perform the actions they are responsible for.

As your business coach, I will provide you with:
• A clear view of what is important and what is not in order to laser focus organizational change in your business and direct resources in the most efficient way.
• A results-focused environment where politics, personality, and opinions are replaced by fact based analysis, open communication, decisive decision making, and focused action.
• Insights from a perspective from outside the organization based on my broad and diverse experience.
• A system that measures results and provides feedback on what is and is not working.

I am a small business owner myself. I’ve also had a highly successful corporate career in businesses ranging from $2.5M to $34.7B. with 25+ years of experience driving business performance, enhancing corporate valuation, and delivering superior ROI. I understand the challenges you face in today’s challenging marketplace and can help, whether it’s increasing revenue, becoming a more effective leader, thriving in hard times, or recruiting and retaining top talent. Let’s chat about what’s most important to you. Our initial discussion will be on me.

Olympic athletes to business & political leaders, the best of the best have a coach. A coach isn’t just there to help you achieve your initial goals. I will be with you along the way, continually pushing you and your team to achieve even greater results. You’ll uncover and break through any limitations that hold you and your business back.

LinkedIn profile in Top 25 MA, PhD profiles in the U.S.
Top 1% LinkedIn Industry Social Selling Index (SSI), a tool measuring effectiveness at establishing professional brand, finding the right people, engaging with insights, and building relationships.
Top 4% of LinkedIn members deemed a Super Connector.
PhD in Marketing, Masters in Psychology

Certified Business Coach (Expert Level)

Location: Farmington, CT    Fees: Contact for quote

Service Type: Service Offered

As a Certified Business Coach and Certified Life Coach, I can assist and guide you in successfully running your business by helping you to clarify the vision of your business and how it holistically fits in with both your professional and personal goals. if your business is not linked to your personal dreams, goals and plans, there is no burning reason why getting to that business goal is critical. Collaboratively, we’ll stoke your entrepreneurial fire and I will:

1. Help you define and define a vision of your desired business outcome and create a brand story for it.
2. Provide an objective and frank view of your current situation and the external and internal factors impacting your business.
3. Use a systematic process to analyze the situation and identify actions that will move the organization to your desired outcomes.
4. Guide your business to commit to actions to be executed, and set measurable goals that will be used to evaluate progress to the optimum state.
5. Establish accountability of you and your business stakeholders to perform the actions they are responsible for.

As your business coach, I will provide you with:
• A clear view of what is important and what is not in order to laser focus organizational change in your business and direct resources in the most efficient way.
• A results-focused environment where politics, personality, and opinions are replaced by fact based analysis, open communication, decisive decision making, and focused action.
• Insights from a perspective from outside the organization based on my broad and diverse experience.
• A system that measures results and provides feedback on what is and is not working.

I am a small business owner myself. I’ve also had a highly successful corporate career in businesses ranging from $2.5M to $34.7B. with 25+ years of experience driving business performance, enhancing corporate valuation, and delivering superior ROI. I understand the challenges you face in today’s challenging marketplace and can help, whether it’s increasing revenue, becoming a more effective leader, thriving in hard times, or recruiting and retaining top talent. Let’s chat about what’s most important to you. Our initial discussion will be on me.

Olympic athletes to business & political leaders, the best of the best have a coach. A coach isn’t just there to help you achieve your initial goals. I will be with you along the way, continually pushing you and your team to achieve even greater results. You’ll uncover and break through any limitations that hold you and your business back.

LinkedIn profile in Top 25 MA, PhD profiles in the U.S.
Top 1% LinkedIn Industry Social Selling Index (SSI), a tool measuring effectiveness at establishing professional brand, finding the right people, engaging with insights, and building relationships.
Top 4% of LinkedIn members deemed a Super Connector.
PhD in Marketing, Masters in Psychology