"Sandy Costa strikes me as a cultural evolutionary. His perspectives on leadership, maintaining relationships, and humanity at work are borne of a heightened self-awareness of business and personal experiences, deep reflection and relationship to the bigger picture.
Listening to him truly facilitates a shift to a more sound way of thinking in our professional and personal life. His talks and writings embrace the centrality of being human – leading people to discover and understand empirical reasons for doing onto others as we would have others do unto us.
Sharing wonderful stories which display his own evolution, Sandy is sharp and visible as he guides us towards serious reconceptualizing of what is meant by leadership and humanity – inviting us for our own benefit and for the benefit of others to speak it, act it out, and to make it living and palpable.
What we are often taught to do in terms of leadership, relationships, and humanity appears so simple, so totally universal yet it takes the talent of Sandy to validate the reality, show us the human reality, and cause us to link it together with purpose."
Douglas S. Baker, CEO
Kryosphere, Inc.
Sandy,
On behalf of the faculty, staff and student body at NC State's Department of Computer Science, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to you for serving as the featured speaker last night at our Fidelity Investments "Leadership in Technology" Executive Speakers Series.
In just four years, our Fidelity Investments series has become one of the premiere speakers series on campus, in large part because of the quality of speakers we have been able to attract. You, my friend, set the bar just a little bit higher last night with your engaging and heartfelt talk about the role of humanity in the workplace. As humorous and inspiring as the talk was, nothing will compare to the very personal moment you and I shared afterwards when a student came down and approached you after the talk. As she held back tears, with a quiver in her voice, she thanked you saying she really needed to hear your message that evening. You never know the impact that you might have on someone's life. The feedback we received from many in the packed room was overwhelmingly positive. But no words can express the gratitude that I saw in that student's eyes. I felt honored to have heard you speak; I felt blessed for having shared that special moment!
To any organization considering you as a keynote or guest speaker, I offer my complete endorsement!
Thanks,
Ken Tate
Director of Development & External Relations
There are so many pages highlighted in my copy of Humanity At Work of topics that resonated with me. In the chapter called "Principled Leadership" you address loyalty on pg 132. I highlighted your comment "While loyalty is no panacea, a commitment of loyalty between management and employees makes good business sense for both." And of course I love the chapter on Faith beginning with "Faith is a gift." One of the many things I admire about you and which you can share with the world is your faith-based leadership. As I mentioned to you, I had the privilege of working for a faith-based leader and know how special, powerful and successful that type of leadership can be for the company and its employees.
Beverly C. Freeman, CAAP
Certified Affirmative Action Professional
This recommendation falls in a category not related to Sandy's legal expertise. It relates to the amazing job Sandy did at a recent 2010 Toastmasters International District Conference held in North Carolina.
Sandy was one of our educational speakers. For 45 minutes, Sandy had the audience transfixed with his discussion of what it takes to be a great leader and how to love one's self. His insights, humor, examples, and delivery were flawless. He was so impressive, our international director approached him about speaking at a future international conference (attended by 2,500+ people world-wide).
For all corporate conference leaders looking for an outstanding motivational and inspirational speaker, please keep Sandy Costa in mind.
Sharon Hill, CEO Sharon Hill International
After being introduced through a mutual friend and reading Sandy Costa’s book “Humanity at Work”, I invited Sandy to speak at our Institute of Management Consultants quarterly event recently. Sandy has a powerful way of communicating and connecting with the hearts and minds of his audience. His message is priceless and timely as we all struggle to operate in our increasingly VUCA world – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Somehow, Sandy is able to cut through the fuzziness of conventional leadership behavior that often contributes to much of the complexity and ambiguity within organizations today. The message in his book is well crafted, clear and meaningful in creating a hopefulness for individuals and organizations that you can find “humanity” at work. I can endorse Sandy as a rewarding speaker and his book as well worth the time to enjoy.
Tom O’Shea, CMC
Principal, Agility Consulting
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Any leader of a team that has undergone recent change due to downsizing, change in management or company priorities would do well to consider having Sandy Costa speak to their group. Sandy’s message of personal responsibility, teamwork, and profiting from, rather than fearing, change does much to reestablish focus, motivation, and commitment to a team struggling with new direction.
There were several instances of “I didn’t know others felt as I do” and “that’s a better way to think of things” experienced by all when Sandy addressed our group. Many post-talk comments reflected a self-realization of what is truly important and what really drives happiness in one’s work and personal life.
Sandy’s conversational, non-pedagogic style is well-received and perfectly suited to his message. His point that “companies, like people, are always in a state of change” rang true to a group who came into the talk tied to the status quo.
It isn’t often when you can point to a single event as transformative of group attitude, but that’s exactly what I experienced after Sandy’s talk. In a time when many groups and companies are experiencing change and the resulting feeling of uncertainty and fear, Sandy has demonstrated his unique ability to refocus us on the positive.
John Del Giorno, J.D.
Vice President, Government Relations
GlaxoSmithKline
Our firm regularly hosts events where our clients can stay up to date on their professional skills and get exposed to the thinking of successful business leaders. Recently we had Sandy Costa speak on leadership and humanity in the workplace. Our normal attendance is around 40 and Sandy drew twice that number. He delivered an insightful and inspiring address and leaves the sense that he is a man who practices what he preaches with honesty and integrity. Our staff and clients were impressed and appreciative of what he shared with us.
David Rhode, Managing Partner
Vaco Raleigh , llc
On behalf of the leadership and membership of the Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA), please accept my sincere thanks for what was an incredible blend of real-world insight and thoughtful provocation that fully engaged our audience of independent seed producers your presentation during the Association’s 20th Annual Conference in Indianapolis.
Your presentation “How to Build a Sustaining Competitive Advantage by Bringing More Humanity into Your Workplace” was a centerpiece of our meeting.
Greg Ruehle, CEO
Independent Professional Seed Assn.
"In every business transaction people must work together to achieve successful outcomes. Those who are skilled in managing and maintaining relationships increase the chances for success. In his talk, The Art of Maintaining Relationships, Sandy Costa explores the human side of business interactions with clarity and insight.
Drawing from years of business leadership experience Sandy provides straightforward ideas and advice to help his listeners return to work with a revived spirit for relating and some very practical approaches for making their interactions with others more rewarding and fruitful for all.
Working with Sandy is an absolute pleasure. He was a featured speaker in the Dialogue Consulting Leadership Speaker Series and hit the mark with our audience. He is extremely well prepared, engaging and genuine when he comes to the platform. I highly recommend having him as a keynote speaker."
Tommy Re, President
Dialogue Consulting
Thanks for speaking at our Incubating Creative Entrepreneurs conference. The students from Duke, UNC, and NC State all reported that your presentation on leadership was one of the highlights of the event. The found both your breakout sessions and your key note address to be informative and inspiring.
Carl Nordgr
Sandy Costa is an inspirational and engaging speaker who was funny, poignant and profound. Though stories, quotes, humor and love, Sandy delivers powerful messages. I highly recommend Sandy for any speaking engagement.
Catherine C. Stokes, President and CEO, Drug Safety Alliance