The 19th annual National Settlement Services Summit (NS3) in St. Louis, the yearly conference hosted by October Research, LLC., featured a noteworthy presenter whose keynote address inspired the audience with tips necessary for success. Ed Molitor, founder and CEO of The Molitor Group and host of the podcast “The Athletics of Business,” brought much energy and passion to the NS3 stage.

His presentation, “Creating a Different and Better Tomorrow Together,” covered a variety of methods to help drive creativity and collaboration within one’s business. Molitor also shared many inspirational messages by way of selected video clips and graphics.

He spoke of something he calls “Victory Defined,” and used the word victory as an acronym with the letters reflecting Values, Intangibles, Creativity, Team, Objectives, Rules of the Game and You!

“Intangibles are the little things, what separates you from the competition,” Molitor said. “Creativity is the ability to reframe novel solutions. Team is to be a part of something bigger than yourself, and what you can do together. Objectives is the vision, mission, and process, while we all deal with the rules of the game, understanding the constraints and having the ability to challenge the status quo. You, the single most important person you will ever lead is yourself.

“You can’t develop or lead anyone else until you can actively do that yourself,” Molitor added. “The only way we grow is through discomfort. We get so comfortable with the status quo.”

How should one view change?

“Reframe change as something that is happening for us and not to us,” he said. “The majority of people change when things aren’t going well, but the time to change is when you’re at the top of your game.”

Molitor spends a lot of time working with organizations and leaders, teaching them how to coach, and he told the audience to note get so caught up in the transaction side of business.

“We must go face reality in real time and not have the victim mentality regarding ‘why me.’ Know where you are now and where you are going,” Molitor said. “We have complete control over the way we feel. It’s about attention management. Where is your focus? That will create a set of thoughts. Those thoughts will drive certain beliefs that dictate behavior. You need to do this to collaborate with your team and business.”

Molitor has developed his business and athletic skills over the past 31 years. From working as an NCAA basketball coach at Texas A&M, DePaul NIU, and Lewis University, to becoming the vice president of a national recruiting firm, Molitor has experienced the potentials and pitfalls of leadership at every level.

As the founder and CEO of The Molitor Group, he guides emerging and established leaders across biopharma and biotech to apply the proven lessons of coaching in their pursuit of inspiring and driving their team’s performance.

One saying Molitor is rooted in is: “Self-awareness is the competitive advantage.”

“The ability to be self-aware is one of the greatest tools you can have,” he said. “Our values determine our character, and our character determines our value.”

Molitor also asked the audience how many worry about what’s keeping them up at night? He suggested that what gets them up in the morning is where their focus should be.

Are you willing to shift your mind and be a transformational business partner and leader, he asked?

“All the work you do is bigger than yourself,” he reminded the audience. “We don’t go through adversity; we grow through adversity. That was huge during COVID. What are you passionate about? What is it about your business, which may have nothing to do with its actual services, rather it has more to do with attitudes?

“You might be shocked as to the attitude of my clients, some who are at the very highest of levels, but they tell me they care about themselves and keeping their job,” Molitor added. “What impact do you want to create with your team and partners in your industry? Over the years, what I’ve noticed about people who have ability to collaborate is that they keep things in perspective.”

Molitor emphasized to always watch and listen closely when working with others. The No. 1 thing that drives everything is trust, and that drives creativity and relationships.

Vulnerability is another key, Molitor said, because that makes you stronger. If you admit you don’t have all the answers and you reach out to others, that’s showing them respect and trust.

‘In creativity, you create ideas that bring value,” Molitor said. “Change is hard, and you may ask yourself is your ego getting in the way? Some are happy with way things are going and don’t want to change. You have to change because the world is not slowing down.

“What changes make you nervous? What changes would you like to make happen? If there isn’t something, find something,” he added. “We’re either expanding or contracting; we’re never stagnant. Most importantly, focus what you can control. I happen to be good at reframing situations. And I always come back to reframing, but how do I do that?  I take emotion out of it.”

“Instead of negatively blasting a team member or someone when things go wrong, reframe it where the situation is happening for you and how you can get better as a leader,” Molitor concluded. “What can I add to the situation instead of what can I get out of it. Look at your situation and ask yourself what can I pour into it, instead of what’s on the other side for me. If you do that, you’ll be successful.”