Leadership Resilience for Those Under Sustained Pressure
Leadership resilience is the foundation of sustained high performance. Fired Up! delivers keynote speeches, corporate training programs, and executive coaching designed for leaders and organizations under real pressure — practical, research-backed, and tailored to your culture, priorities, and goals.
Practical and Inspirational Keynotes: Captivate your audience with motivational, keyword-rich presentations that spark innovation, boost morale, and drive actionable outcomes.
Customized & Effective Corporate Training: Equip your team with cutting-edge strategies to excel in leadership, resilience, communication, and collaboration, designed to align with your company’s mission.
Transformational Executive Coaching: Elevate individual performance with bespoke coaching that unlocks potential, sharpens resilience and fuels career growth.
Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, leadership summit, or professional development conference, Fired Up’s proven expertise in motivational speaking, leadership development, and team empowerment ensures your audience leaves energized, inspired, and ready to conquer their challenges.
Led by 30 year award-winning professional speaker Snowden McFall, who has spoken to thousands of professionals at Fortune 500 companies as well as associations, non-profits and small businesses, the Fired Up! Leadership Resilience System delivers practical leadership resilience for organizations that need clarity, productivity and high performance. With her poignant stories, research-backed content, interactive engagement and practical strategies, Snowden leaves audiences motivated to put these tools into action immediately and continue to use them for long-term results. Call 904-200-6995 to book your next event.
Snowden McFall, M.A.T. was named the Top Public Speaking Coach of the Year in 2024, and a Trailblazer in 2025. She has been honored at the White House and U.S. Congress.
Snowden McFall on networking strategies for job seekers — News4Jax
Why Networking Feels Uncomfortable — And Why It Works Anyway
Host: Duval County’s unemployment rate is 4.9% as of April this year, and many people are still looking for jobs. With us today is professional speaker and executive coach Snowden McFall, here to discuss how to network and get the most from those moments.
Host: Can I tell you a little secret? I don’t like networking.
Snowden: You and I met through networking — and what made it special was that we had a genuine conversation. Sometimes when I walk into a networking event I feel like I have to have a beginning, middle, and end. But sometimes it just happens very naturally.
Snowden: You want to be authentic. Everybody wants real people — but when you’re looking for a job, you also want to be prepared and strategic.
How to Find Opportunities & Ask for Help
Snowden: One of the best ways to start is to reach out and ask for help. Tell everybody you know that you’re looking for a job and get referrals. Scope out meetings, events, and socials — Jacksonville is a networking town. You could go morning, noon, and night to a different networking function.
Host: A lot of people now are putting it out there on social media. I saw one recently — she was like, “I’ve been out of work for six months, do you know anyone who needs a quirky [person]?” She laid out her skills and said “DM me.”
Snowden: That’s a great approach. Ask for help. Find the people who can help you out.
Preparing Before You Walk In the Door
Snowden: Make sure you have printed business cards — even if you’re out of work, you can get them done inexpensively online. On the back of your business card, list your skill sets. That’s an easy, tangible way to hand someone your value.
Snowden: Also get yourself into the right physical state. This comes from Amy Cuddy’s research on power poses — she’s a sociologist and her TED Talk is worth watching. If you stand in a “Wonder Woman” posture — shoulders back, hands on hips, knees slightly bent — for two minutes, it actually shifts cortisol (the stress hormone) toward serotonin (the feel-good hormone), and your confidence increases.
Host: So you do this before you go in?
Snowden: Exactly — two minutes in the ladies’ room or men’s room before you walk in. And while you’re in that posture, tell yourself good things. Self-talk matters.
How to Work the Room
Snowden: Reach out ahead of time to the organization’s president and let them know you’re new and coming — and that you’d appreciate their help. When you arrive, introduce yourself to the president first and ask them to introduce you to a couple of people. Aim for three to four meaningful conversations — not 25 business cards.
Snowden: Dress for the job you want. Smile — your smile is magnetic. Shoulders back. Have a strong, firm handshake. Confidence shows.
The Elevator Pitch
Snowden: Have an elevator speech prepared — something like: “Over the past several years I’ve worked in [industry] specializing in [expertise], and I’m looking for the right place to share my talents and be part of a team.” About 20 seconds. Show enthusiasm — it’s what sets you apart.
Listen More Than You Talk
Snowden: Don’t do all the talking. You should be listening most of the time. Ask questions: How did they get into their industry? What changes have they seen? What would be a good client for them? Ask enough questions that you could refer someone to them. Don’t talk about yourself until they ask.
Host: That takes the pressure off too. I did this the other day and I actually listened to a podcast beforehand that suggested asking questions. And when they came back to me, I answered briefly — then turned it back to them. It was just more pleasant.
Following Up — The Step Most People Skip
Snowden: If you meet someone great, send them a thank-you email the same day. Attach your resume and ask them to share it with someone they know. Then start adding value: write a handwritten note, send articles about their industry, send cards. Stay in touch. Be pleasantly persistent.
Snowden: Make notes on the back of their business card after you leave — not in front of them. If they mentioned their son is graduating, send a graduation card. The little things make a big difference.
Host: Good luck with that networking. Know that you are not alone if this doesn’t feel comfortable — but it is okay to be uncomfortable, especially when you’re ready to go to that next level.
Snowden: That’s right.
How Leaders Engage with Fired Up!
Keynote Speaking for Companies, Associations and Conferences
Fired Up! keynote programs strengthen leadership clarity, communication, and resilience
Whether you’re a leader at a Fortune 500 company, professional association, or small -medium sized business, Fired Up! has the right keynote presentation for you. Each keynote speech is customized to align with your culture, strategic priorities, and the pressures your leaders face. Presented by award-winning speaker Snowden McFall, with 30 years of speaking experience, Fired Up! keynotes are best known for:
• high levels of audience engagement with interactive processes • powerful stories which underscore key points • fresh, research-backed content which resonates and enlightens • highly practical tools which can be implemented immediately • long-lasting impact
“Dynamic. Powerful. Customized. Practical. Valuable. Your programs were devoted to breaking down silos, encouraging better understanding of each other’s roles, improved communication, conflict resolution, productivity and teamwork. Employee feedback has been very positive. Attitudes are more confident and results-oriented.” E. L. PepsiCo
“You came highly recommended as a top-notch keynote speaker who could inspire, uplift and educate our association members — and you more than fulfilled that. Your Reignite Your Fire and Prevent Burn-Out presentation had a strong, positive impact on our members. Audience feedback showed they loved the practicality of the stress tips. Your professionalism, sincerity, and expertise were all evident in the 3 days you spent with us.” C.K, President, Healthcare Financial Management Association – GA
Unlock your leadership potential with Fired Up!, led by Snowden McFall, a certified business coach with over 30 years of entrepreneurial and executive experience. Snowden’s transformative executive coaching empowers leaders, helps break through barriers, achieve higher-level leadership, and drive organizational success. Her dynamic approach, infused with invaluable insights from marketing, public speaking, TV show hosting, financial breakthroughs, and resilience, stress and burnout prevention, delivers measurable results tailored to your unique goals. Why Choose Fire Up! Coaching?
Unparalleled Expertise: As a seasoned entrepreneur and board member, Snowden brings a wealth of knowledge, offering practical tools and proven strategies to elevate leadership excellence, promote resilience and professional growth.
Genuine Transformation: Leveraging her finely tuned intuition and emotional intelligence, Snowden coaches the whole person, fostering a transformative journey that embraces strengths and unlocks potential.
Customized for Impact: Each coaching session is meticulously tailored to address your specific challenges, empowering you to achieve breakthrough results in leadership, communication, transitions and resilience.
Actionable Insights: Walk away with real-world solutions to overcome obstacles, enhance team empowerment, and thrive in high-pressure environments while staying resilient.
All work is grounded in the Leadership Resilience System, a practical framework integrating stress management, communication effectiveness, cognitive clarity, and sustainable performance.
This system provides a repeatable structure leaders can use long after an event or engagement ends.
Host: Workplace stress is rising, and many leaders say they are running on empty. That pressure often spills over into family life. Experts say resiliency isn’t just about pushing through challenges — it’s about creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and able to thrive. Joining us is 30-year professional speaker and executive coach Snowden McFall to talk about what it means to be a resilient leader.
Host: When we talk about resiliency, Snowden — I know it keeps you alive longer.
Snowden: Absolutely. It even keeps you from getting dementia. When we just ruminate on things, that’s so dangerous. So what does a resilient leader look like?
Snowden: A resilient leader is someone who can respond to crises and challenges effectively, bounce back quickly, and most importantly create an environment where employees feel valued and thrive rather than burn out.
Host: It’s such a critical skill right now. And the things being thrown at us are different — AI, government, politics interfering with business. All sorts of new problems creeping in.
The Cost of Burnout on Decision-Making
Host: You quoted an Adco Group study showing high levels of burnout among leaders and managers. How does that level of stress impact decision-making and workplace culture?
Snowden: Unfortunately, when people are burned out — and particularly leaders — burnout leads to snappiness, irritation, poor decision-making, and exhaustion. They just aren’t as effective as they need to be.
Snowden: One of the big keys is listening. 60% of all business mistakes are the result of faulty listening. And we only retain 25% of what we hear. So this has a huge impact on your business.
The RAZA Listening Technique
Snowden: I use a technique called RAZA. Julian Treasure has a TED Talk about this. RAZA means ‘essence’ in Sanskrit. First, you Receive — you’re open to the other person, you appreciate them, and you’re silent while they talk. Then you summarize what they said and ask questions.
Host: What if the story goes on too long?
Snowden: If someone talks incessantly, you can gently touch their hand and say, ‘I want to make sure I understand — so you had a fabulous time on this vacation.’ Redirect gently.
Host: I think it’s easier said than done. You have to be fully present — not on your phone, not looking somewhere else, but really looking at the other person.
Snowden: Exactly. And resilient leaders do this. They spend time focusing on their employees. They listen. They ask questions. They have notes about their employees so they know what’s truly important to them. That builds trust. That builds relationship. It helps people feel valued — because one of the biggest contributors to burnout is not feeling appreciated.
Closing Thoughts
Host: I think we can do this not just at work, but in our homes and with our friends. It just transfers to good energy all around.
Snowden: We all have a deep-seated need to be heard and to be seen. Leo Buscaglia said, ‘The greatest gift of loving is to listen.’
76% of Employees Are Burned Out
Why bad management is the #1 reason high performers quit.
Full Transcript
76% of Employees Are Burned Out — How Bad Managers Make It Worse
Host: We’re talking burnout and workplace frustration. 76% of employees are feeling some level of burnout. I like to blame it on AI, but I also think our jobs are putting a huge demand on us to do more.
Snowden: 50% of people are looking for new jobs right now — and that tells you a lot about what’s going on. It’s a real problem.
Host: And through all the studies, it’s not necessarily about making more money — they just want a better, less stressful situation.
Snowden: Employees want to be valued and treated well. The number one reason employees are leaving is bad management.
What Resilient Leadership Looks Like in Practice
Snowden: A resilient leader is someone who can respond well to crisis, bounce back from setbacks, and create a positive environment where employees thrive rather than burn out.
Host: What does that actually look like day to day?
Snowden: It’s an environment where a manager or leader inspires their people, praises them, gives positive feedback, stays clear and keeps them focused on the mission — and keeps them purpose-driven and joyful. There are a lot of small things you can do that make a huge difference.
What Bad Management Actually Looks Like
Host: When you say ‘bad manager’ — what behaviors are we talking about? I might not like someone but someone else thinks they’re fantastic.
Snowden: What I’m talking about is pretty clear-cut. These are people who yell and scream at employees. Who humiliate employees publicly. Who put down their employees and don’t support them. And people who are unclear about what their employees are supposed to do.
Host: That’s interesting — many employees don’t know what the expectation actually is.
Snowden: This comes from Jack Welch: only 10% of all employees know exactly what their employer wants them to do and what their priorities are. That means 90% of people don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing.
The Fix: Clarity, Communication, and Alignment
Snowden: The antidote is to sit down with each employee and have them write down what they think their job responsibilities are. Then compare. If they don’t match, clarify it in writing. Make it crystal clear — otherwise no one will be successful.
Snowden: You also need to know the priorities. What are the highest-leverage, highest-return activities? Make sure your goals align with the organization’s goals. If they don’t align, you won’t be happy and they won’t get what they need from you.
Host: Even as an employee, I can take responsibility. I can be in that office asking questions, getting clarity, and making sure I have a plan. Put it in writing.
Snowden: We’re visual. We don’t retain things auditorily. And women — don’t be scared to speak up. Ask. Advocate for yourself. Because you contribute so much.
Brain Fog or Burnout?
The truth about cognitive overload and what high performers can do about it.
Full Transcript
Brain Fog or Burnout? The Truth About Cognitive Overload
Host: Some people think brain fog might mean we’re losing our memory — maybe dementia or Alzheimer’s, especially as we age. But it might not be any of that. Back with us is professional speaker and executive coach Snowden McFall.
Host: With AI and everything helping us do more, the ‘more’ is taking a toll. I’m doing two or three times as much as I normally would — but at the end of the day, I’m spent.
Snowden: That’s called cognitive overload. Eric Schmidt, former Google executive, said that between the dawn of time and 2003 we had five exabytes of data. Today we generate 420 zetabytes — every single day. No wonder we’re overloaded.
Snowden: And while AI can help, it’s also creating a lot of this data. If you don’t pay attention to this, you get overload, overwhelm, and bad decisions.
The Multitasking Myth
Snowden: One of the biggest problems is multitasking. It does not work. We’ve been taught it’s a good thing — but it isn’t. Task-switching is terrible for your brain. It puts you in a bad mood, makes you much less productive, and you can’t truly focus on multiple things at once and be effective.
Host: I’m the kind of person who likes a box open, then close it, then move to the next. I literally visualize closing boxes. I find myself playing tricks with my brain to move through it.
Snowden: You’re really smart, and here’s why that works: the brain craves completion. Any books half-read, magazines, newspapers lying around — go home and close them. Say ‘done.’ You can always reopen them, but right now they’re pulling your energy.
Stop Time-Traveling
Snowden: Another piece is to stop time-traveling — and I don’t mean Star Trek. Most of us when we daydream are thinking about the past or the future. That’s a problem. We need to be here now. Be fully present.
Host: I take moments and just breathe in and be in that moment — and I feel cooler, my heart stops racing, and I feel more joyous.
Snowden: Joy is the antidote to burnout. Cognitive overload can lead to burnout, and joy is the antidote. Finding those moments of joy is really important.
Practical Strategies to Reclaim Focus
Snowden: Stop scrolling social media. We scroll and look at the past, beat ourselves up, look at the future. Social media won’t help. Stay focused on one thing at a time — and that means turning off your phone. Turn off alerts, Slack notifications. Let your coworkers know you’re going to be heads-down for the next half hour.
Host: We have an open concept newsroom — no doors, no walls. I’ll go upstairs to a little area called Forks, get in a booth with the lights dim, and I get so much more done. Sometimes it’s just where you’re sitting.
Snowden: You also have to decide what’s actually important. Usually you’ve got six things — your top six highest-return, highest-leverage priorities. Get those done, one at a time. Check each one off. Completion.
Snowden: When you complete something, there’s new energy for new projects. Part of what creates overwhelm is all the incompletes. Close them up and give yourself credit for what you get done.
Closing Thoughts
Host: Everything you’re saying requires being intentional. I’m learning that things happening organically isn’t always realistic. I really do have to be intentional about what my day looks like — even shutting down the phone.
Snowden: The worst thing you can do with your kids, family, or someone important at lunch is to have your phone out. That says they’re less important than whoever might call. Put the phone away and focus on the person you’re with.
Host: It’s also okay to not respond right away. It’s okay to be unavailable. Back when we had home phones — if you weren’t there, you missed it. Same with email. You don’t have to check it constantly.
Snowden: Give your brain a rest. Be here now. Live in the present moment. Joy is such an important piece of that. And take stock each day — I write down 10 successes at the end of every day. Sometimes the first thing on the list is ‘got out of bed.’ Give yourself credit for all that you do. Be kind to yourself.
Tools for leaders who need to communicate with clarity, credibility, and composure in high-stakes environments.
Trusted Experience. Measurable Impact.
Snowden McFall is an award-winning keynote speaker and executive coach specializing in leadership resilience and burnout prevention for senior leaders and organizational teams. Based in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida and serving organizations nationwide, she has coached executives and delivered keynotes for PepsiCo, Johnson & Johnson, First Citizens Bank, Florida Blue, and Dunham Insurance for more than 30 years.
She is the founder of the Resilient Leadership System and the author of Fired Up!, with 65,500 copies sold worldwide, and Stress Express! Member of the National Speakers Association.
Named Top Public Speaking Coach of the Year by IAOTP in 2024 and a Trailblazer in 2025. Honored at the White House and U.S. Congress. Her work is known for clarity, practical application, and measurable outcomes.
