Bill Withers

Dr. Bill Withers is a unique speaker, facilitator, and workshop leader, and his love for "Aloha shirts"; is only part of his story!

Expert on

  • Management
  • Generation Issues
  • Leadership
  • Marketing
  • Customer Service
  • Communication

Fee Range

$3,000–$5,001

Travels from

IA, US

Biography

Dr. Bill Withers is a seasoned professional with a diverse background that makes him a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and workshop leader. As a member of the executive leadership and human resources teams at Lutheran Church of Hope, Dr. Withers brings a unique perspective to his work. With over 20 years of prior experience in business leadership, coupled with 25 additional years in higher education, training, and development, he possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Dr. Withers spent decades honing his skills in strategic planning and organizational development, working with a wide range of organizations, both large and small, including many non-profits. His ability to connect with individuals across generations, from Boomers to Gen Y/Millennials to Gen Z and beyond, at all stages of their career development, sets him apart.

Throughout his career, Dr. Withers has also contributed to the success of various advisory boards and councils, including two terms on the board of directors for Iowa Public Television. His versatility allows him to engage with all levels of organizations, from the front lines to the C-Suite.

One of Dr. Withers’ notable contributions is his extensive research into top-tier organizations, such as Hy-Vee, Ritz-Carlton, Disney, Four Seasons, Starbucks, and Southwest Airlines. His expertise has earned him invitations to present at prestigious events like The International Conference on Business in Honolulu, where he shares insights with audiences from 20 different countries from around the Pacific Rim.

During his academic career, Dr. Withers received recognitions as both professor and advisor of the year, and he made significant contributions to three books in the areas of leadership and customer service. He currently holds a position on the executive leadership team of Lutheran Church of Hope, the largest mainline protestant church of its type in North America. Dr. Withers remains dedicated to serving organizations of all sizes, specializing in public relations, quality customer service, organizational change, workplace culture, and leadership development. His commitment to excellence and his vast experience make him a valuable asset to any organization seeking to thrive in today’s ever-changing landscape.

THE RELATIONSHIP ERA

The Relationship Era is a time in our history where technology-solutions and outsourcing run rampant and the mantra many hear is “web and mobile FIRST!” Yet many of the four-star and five-star service organizations are realizing the value in hiring and training for stronger interpersonal traits and soft-skills, especially where co-workers are customer-facing. As you’ll hear from Dr. Withers, there has never been a time in recent history where quality customer service and effective stakeholder relations were at more of a premium, especially when technology is driving such significant change. Dr. Withers shares what he’s learned from his own work and research with many four- and five-star service providers, both regionally and nationally.

Attendees will:
• Better understand the history, state, and future of customer and stakeholder relations,
• Learn the variables that drive the practices many top organizations are investing in to be successful in this space, and,
• Explore practices and solutions that organizations of any size can incorporate, whether profit- or non-profit can implement.

THE SERVANT LEADER

After so many organizational hiccups throughout the last couple decades, the philosophy of Servant Leadership is back in vogue across both business and non-profit sectors, and even larger companies like Southwest Airlines and Starbucks are leading the charge.  Join Dr. Withers as he shares the history of this management/leadership philosophy, how it can be better implemented and measured in your organization. 

XYZ

This is a new era across our workplaces, with many organizations employing representatives from as many as five unique generations. Boomers are on project work teams with 22-year-old Gen Y/Millennials, while both might potentially report to GenXers. Meanwhile, resumes are arriving from the newest additions to the workforce, Generation Z! Few keynoters and workshop leaders have worked with all three generations these past two decades like Dr. Bill Withers, who, as BOTH a college professor and student advisor, continues to consult and work with organizations during this critical time in our workforce history. Join Bill as he helps your organization better understand nuances around the largest segment of the U.S. workforce, generations X, Y, and Z.

• Learn more about the trend lines and tendencies of each generation.
• Learn how each generation will impact workforce culture and engagement where you work.
• Explore solutions to some of your organization’s greatest challenges in not only attracting, but retaining younger professionals.

PUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND PERSONALITIES TO WORK!

Best-suited to a workshop or retreat format, Dr. Bill Withers will help your organization’s staff or leadership team assess and leverage each team member’s strengths and personality toward improved performance and engagement, along with improving workplace culture.  Tools like Gallup’s StrengthsFinder, and additional personality-assessments, are used by Bill to:

  • Raise each team or board member’s self-awareness of who they are relative to their role,
  • Heighten engagement levels with both internal and external stakeholders, and,
  • Assist everyone in the organization in making their work more meaningful.

*Note: Bill will assist you in securing the assessment tools prior to leading your retreat or workshop.