Multiple online workforce and leadership development video courses based on content from many of Mack & Ria Story’s books.

Leaders are BUSY. That’s why Mack Story designed Toolbox Tips, a collection of powerful leadership principles delivered in a short and easy to understand format for quick and consistent workforce development.

Blue-Collar Leadership® Toolbox Tips is the ultimate “tool” for developing leaders at every level in a fast, simple, and effective way.

Kick-off weekly meetings by reviewing a Toolbox Tip on responsibility, start your team safety meetings with a Toolbox Tip on trust, or begin… Show more

Leaders are BUSY. That’s why Mack Story designed Toolbox Tips, a collection of powerful leadership principles delivered in a short and easy to understand format for quick and consistent workforce development.

Blue-Collar Leadership® Toolbox Tips is the ultimate “tool” for developing leaders at every level in a fast, simple, and effective way.

Kick-off weekly meetings by reviewing a Toolbox Tip on responsibility, start your team safety meetings with a Toolbox Tip on trust, or begin your management team meeting with a Toolbox Tip on character.

Leverage the power of micro-learning with powerful, common-sense leadership principles. Quickly and consistently review, discuss, and apply Toolbox Tips to create a leadership culture filled with high impact individuals, team players, and leaders worth following. Show less

Leaders are BUSY. That’s why Mack Story designed Toolbox Tips, a collection of powerful leadership principles delivered in a short and easy to understand format for quick and consistent workforce development.

Blue-Collar Leadership® Toolbox Tips is the ultimate “tool” for developing leaders at every level in a fast, simple, and effective way.

Kick-off weekly meetings by reviewing a Toolbox Tip on responsibility, start your team safety meetings with a Toolbox Tip on trust, or begin… Show more

Leaders are BUSY. That’s why Mack Story designed Toolbox Tips, a collection of powerful leadership principles delivered in a short and easy to understand format for quick and consistent workforce development.

Blue-Collar Leadership® Toolbox Tips is the ultimate “tool” for developing leaders at every level in a fast, simple, and effective way.

Kick-off weekly meetings by reviewing a Toolbox Tip on responsibility, start your team safety meetings with a Toolbox Tip on trust, or begin your management team meeting with a Toolbox Tip on character.

Leverage the power of micro-learning with powerful, common-sense leadership principles. Quickly and consistently review, discuss, and apply Toolbox Tips to create a leadership culture filled with high impact individuals, team players, and leaders worth following. Show less

“Culture is owned by the CEO, whether he or she admits it or not.” ~ Edward Schein

It’s easier to compete when you’re attracting great people instead of searching for good people.

Culture matters because those who work there will determine who wants to work there.

You shouldn’t have to spend time and resources constantly searching for good applicants. You should be able to select from great applicants with top talent. High Performance Teams are filled with top… Show more

“Culture is owned by the CEO, whether he or she admits it or not.” ~ Edward Schein

It’s easier to compete when you’re attracting great people instead of searching for good people.

Culture matters because those who work there will determine who wants to work there.

You shouldn’t have to spend time and resources constantly searching for good applicants. You should be able to select from great applicants with top talent. High Performance Teams are filled with top talent.

Culture is the key to becoming a sought after employer of choice within your industry.

Becoming a sought after employer means, “People who don’t work at your organization have a strong desire to work there.”

Becoming an employer of choice means, “People who already work at your organization have a strong desire to continue working there.”

Blue-Collar Leadership® & Culture features content specifically for the top leader who has never led a cultural transformation but is curious to find out what will be required. Discover why you should transform your culture, and also what to do and how to do it.

In Blue-Collar Leadership® & Culture, you’ll discover how to leverage the components of The Transformation Equation to create a culture that will support, attract, and retain high performance team members. Learn more about The Transformation Equation at GetTheTransformationEquation.com

“The strength of the culture, and not its size or resources, determines an organization’s ability to adapt to the times, overcome adversity, and pioneer new innovations.” ~ Simon Sinek Show less

Leadership development for everyone in the blue collar workforce, those who support them, and those who lead them. Leadership is influence. Influence is built daily, not in a day.

There are two types of influence: 1) Artificial influence which comes with a title, position, or rank and is reserved for those who have formal authority over others; and 2) Authentic influence which is based on a person's character and the relationships they build, and it's available to anyone with or without… Show more

Leadership development for everyone in the blue collar workforce, those who support them, and those who lead them. Leadership is influence. Influence is built daily, not in a day.

There are two types of influence: 1) Artificial influence which comes with a title, position, or rank and is reserved for those who have formal authority over others; and 2) Authentic influence which is based on a person's character and the relationships they build, and it's available to anyone with or without a position of authority because it's based on moral authority (who you are and how you do what you do). Show less

“The most valuable player is the one that makes the most players valuable.” ~ Peyton Manning

In today’s high stakes game of business, the players on the team are the competitive advantage for any organization. But, only if they are on the field instead of on the bench.

Blue-Collar Leadership® & Teamwork provides a simple, yet powerful and unique, resource for individuals who want to increase their influence and make a high impact. It’s also a resource and tool for leaders, teams… Show more

“The most valuable player is the one that makes the most players valuable.” ~ Peyton Manning

In today’s high stakes game of business, the players on the team are the competitive advantage for any organization. But, only if they are on the field instead of on the bench.

Blue-Collar Leadership® & Teamwork provides a simple, yet powerful and unique, resource for individuals who want to increase their influence and make a high impact. It’s also a resource and tool for leaders, teams, and organizations, who are ready to Engage the Front Line to Improve the Bottom Line.

After logging over 11,000 hours leading leaders and their teams through process improvement, organizational change, and cultural transformation, Mack reveals the 30 key character traits of high impact players. Mack explains why each trait is critical and how adopting and leveraging each trait will help you develop 360° of influence regardless of your position, title, or rank.

High impact players do more than get results. They motivate and inspire their teammates to get results. Adopting and applying these traits will help you and your team climb to the next level and beyond.

“My first words are, GET SIGNED UP! This training is not, and I stress, not your everyday leadership seminar!” ~ Sam M. VP/COO Show less

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way; where there’s a team, there’s more than one way.” ~ Rex Murphy

The biggest challenge in process improvement and cultural transformation isn’t identifying the problems. It’s execution: implementing and sustaining the solutions. Until there is authentic respect for the people, there will not be authentic buy-in to the Lean initiative and the gains will not be sustained.

Blue-Collar Kaizen is a resource for anyone in any position who is, or will… Show more

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way; where there’s a team, there’s more than one way.” ~ Rex Murphy

The biggest challenge in process improvement and cultural transformation isn’t identifying the problems. It’s execution: implementing and sustaining the solutions. Until there is authentic respect for the people, there will not be authentic buy-in to the Lean initiative and the gains will not be sustained.

Blue-Collar Kaizen is a resource for anyone in any position who is, or will be, leading a team through process improvement and change. This book will help you take the lead in creating a meaningful, and sustainable kaizen culture one kaizen team at a time. Learn to engage, empower, and encourage your team for long term buy-in and sustained gains. Learn what it means to truly have authentic "respect for the people." The people will always know if there is authentic respect. Not because they hear it, but because they feel it.

Mack Story has over 11,000 hours of experience leading hundreds of leaders and thousands of their cross-functional kaizen team members through process improvement, organizational change, and cultural transformation. He shares lessons learned from his experience and many years of studying, teaching, and applying leadership principles. Show less

“Sales persuasion and influence, moving others, has changed more in the last 10 years than it has in the last 100 years. It has transitioned from buyer beware to seller beware” ~ Daniel Pink

So, it’s no longer “Buyer beware!” It’s “Seller beware!” Why? Today, the buyer has the advantage over the seller. Most often, they are holding it in their hand. It’s a smart phone. They can learn everything about your product before they meet you. They can compare features and prices instantly. The… Show more

“Sales persuasion and influence, moving others, has changed more in the last 10 years than it has in the last 100 years. It has transitioned from buyer beware to seller beware” ~ Daniel Pink

So, it’s no longer “Buyer beware!” It’s “Seller beware!” Why? Today, the buyer has the advantage over the seller. Most often, they are holding it in their hand. It’s a smart phone. They can learn everything about your product before they meet you. They can compare features and prices instantly. The major advantage you do still have is: YOU! IF they like you. IF they trust you. IF they feel you want to help them.

This book is filled with 30 short chapters providing unique insights that will give you the advantage, not over the buyer, but over your competition: those who are selling what you’re selling. It will help you sell yourself.

“Many salespeople believe that customers buy their products and services first. Incorrect. The first thing prospects buy is the salesperson. The first sale made is you.” ~ Jeffrey Gitomer Show less

"It is possible at any moment in time to push the reset button, to embrace a different way of being, and experience dramatic change.” ~ Bob Chapman

10 Foundational Elements of Intentional Transformation is a “how-to” road-map. Transformation doesn’t just happen. We must make it happen. The principles I share throughout this book are principles I have personally applied to transform myself. After achieving success, I reflected on “how” it happened. The answers I discovered are what you… Show more

"It is possible at any moment in time to push the reset button, to embrace a different way of being, and experience dramatic change.” ~ Bob Chapman

10 Foundational Elements of Intentional Transformation is a “how-to” road-map. Transformation doesn’t just happen. We must make it happen. The principles I share throughout this book are principles I have personally applied to transform myself. After achieving success, I reflected on “how” it happened. The answers I discovered are what you will find on these pages.

In 10 Foundational Elements of Intentional Transformation, I will walk you through the following foundational layers and teach you how they build upon each other as you lead yourself through personal transformation:

1. Thought is the foundation of Choice.
2. Choice is the foundation of Vision
3. Vision is the foundation of Hope.
4. Hope is the foundation of Sacrifice.
5. Sacrifice is the foundation of Discipline.
6. Discipline is the foundation of Growth.
7. Growth is the foundation of Change.
8. Change is the foundation of Success.
9. Success is the foundation of Significance.
10. Significance is the foundation of Legacy.

This is a quick and easy read consisting of 10 sections, 3 chapters each, with 3 pages per chapter. In the first two chapters of each section, I teach the underlying principles of the foundational layer. In the third chapter of each section, I share my personal stories of transformation to show how I actually applied the principles in my life.

NOTE: This book is similar to my book titled PHOENIX. PHOENIX was co-authored and has military stories provided by Bren Briggs to support my foundational elements of transformation. In 10 Foundational Elements of Intentional Transformation, I have taken out the military stories and added my own personal stories of transformation. Show less

NOTE: Maximize Your Leadership Potential: Beyond Management & Supervision is the white-collar, or non-specific, version of Blue-Collar Leadership & Supervision: Unleash Your Team's Potential and the content is nearly identical. It's primarily for those who have others reporting directly to them, especially those new to a formal leadership position or those who have had very little or no formal leadership training and development.

Maximize Your Leadership Potential complements and builds… Show more

NOTE: Maximize Your Leadership Potential: Beyond Management & Supervision is the white-collar, or non-specific, version of Blue-Collar Leadership & Supervision: Unleash Your Team's Potential and the content is nearly identical. It's primarily for those who have others reporting directly to them, especially those new to a formal leadership position or those who have had very little or no formal leadership training and development.

Maximize Your Leadership Potential complements and builds upon Mack's book, "MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL: Unleashing the Leader Within." Both are the perfect resources for developing those in a formal leadership position such as: team leaders, supervisors, managers, first-to-mid level leaders, etc.

With 30 short, easy-to-read 3 page chapters, Maximize Your Leadership Potential is a tool and resource for developing those courageous people who step up and accept a position of leadership, most often, without ever receiving any formal leadership training and development. Those who are simply expected to lead. Maximize Your Leadership Potential will help you grow beyond traditional management and supervision and reveal the principles that high impact leaders intentionally apply to achieve amazing results and success. Once you read this book, you will better understand what it means to be a high impact leader.

Then, you will have a choice. Will you settle for simply supervising and managing people? Or, will you become an intentional high impact leader of people worth following who also supervises and manages things and processes? Show less

NOTE: Maximize Your Potential: Unleashing the Leader Within is the white-collar, or non-specific, version of Blue-Collar Leadership: Leading from the Front Lines and the content is nearly identical. It's primarily for those team members who do not t have anyone reporting to them.

Separate yourself from the crowd quickly by learning how to master the traits High Impact leaders value most. You will learn how to get noticed by the right people and how to get promoted for the right reasons… Show more

NOTE: Maximize Your Potential: Unleashing the Leader Within is the white-collar, or non-specific, version of Blue-Collar Leadership: Leading from the Front Lines and the content is nearly identical. It's primarily for those team members who do not t have anyone reporting to them.

Separate yourself from the crowd quickly by learning how to master the traits High Impact leaders value most. You will learn how to get noticed by the right people and how to get promoted for the right reasons. You will learn how to become recognized as a leader worth following regardless of your position, title, or the type work you do. You don’t need a formal authority (position) because you will develop something much better: moral authority (influence).

With 30 short, easy-to-read 3 page chapters, MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL is written for those who want to be more, do more, and have more regardless of where they are today. Mack started in an entry-level position with no college education and learned to apply these principles grew himself from the bottom into upper management which resulted in him being promoted 14 times in his 20 year corporate career. When you're at or near the bottom like he was, there is nowhere to go but up. During the process he transformed himself and his life.

This book is not based on years of research. It is based on years of personal application and transformation. Mack says, "I wish someone would have given me this book 30 years ago. It would have helped me realize my potential sooner." It can help you realize your potential now.

MAXIMIZE YOUR POTENTIAL features content specifically created for the often overlooked and underdeveloped people who do not have anyone reporting to them. Show less

Top Story Leadership and The Eden Project have collaborated to create this resource for you. It will be a core element of The PHOENIX Project serving as a source of motivation and inspiration to help you climb your way to the next level and beyond as you continue your mission to intentionally create a better future for yourself. The PHOENIX Project is intended to help ENCOURAGE, ENGAGE, and EMPOWER you as you become more focused and intentional about moving from where you are to where you want… Show more

Top Story Leadership and The Eden Project have collaborated to create this resource for you. It will be a core element of The PHOENIX Project serving as a source of motivation and inspiration to help you climb your way to the next level and beyond as you continue your mission to intentionally create a better future for yourself. The PHOENIX Project is intended to help ENCOURAGE, ENGAGE, and EMPOWER you as you become more focused and intentional about moving from where you are to where you want to be.

The book is based on the 10 Foundational Elements of Transformation. Your ability to effectively move from where you are to where you want to be in any area of your life will be determined by your ability to transform your thinking relative to that area of your life. When it comes to true transformation, if you don’t go within, you will go without. You are the key to your own success.

All of us are somewhere, but most of us want to be somewhere else. However, we don’t always know how to get there. Mack’s in depth knowledge of leadership principles combined with Bren’s in depth military experience will help you transition from where you are to where you want to be. You will learn how to move forward as you learn to navigate the 10 foundational layers of transformation. Show less

Change brings both challenges and opportunities. It can bring an organization together by uniting the team around a unifying purpose and vision or it can create chaos.

Change Happens: Leading Yourself and Others Through Change is co-authored by Mack and Ria Story, so you get two different perspectives (personal and professional) on 15 principles of dealing with change. Included are key lessons on overcoming resistance to change, leading, communicating and overcoming fear of change, and… Show more

Change brings both challenges and opportunities. It can bring an organization together by uniting the team around a unifying purpose and vision or it can create chaos.

Change Happens: Leading Yourself and Others Through Change is co-authored by Mack and Ria Story, so you get two different perspectives (personal and professional) on 15 principles of dealing with change. Included are key lessons on overcoming resistance to change, leading, communicating and overcoming fear of change, and more. Learning how to respond effectively to upcoming changes will allow you to turn challenges into opportunities! Show less

Think of this book as "Leadership 101" for front line leaders. It's formatted with 30 easy to read chapters, 3 pages each. It can also be easily utilized for conducting a 30 day book study with your front line leaders.

My first book in the Blue-Collar Leadership® series, Blue-Collar Leadership®: Leading from the Front Lines, was written as a tool and resource for high impact leaders to use to develop the front line, entry level team members that are so often underdeveloped and overlooked… Show more

Think of this book as "Leadership 101" for front line leaders. It's formatted with 30 easy to read chapters, 3 pages each. It can also be easily utilized for conducting a 30 day book study with your front line leaders.

My first book in the Blue-Collar Leadership® series, Blue-Collar Leadership®: Leading from the Front Lines, was written as a tool and resource for high impact leaders to use to develop the front line, entry level team members that are so often underdeveloped and overlooked in the blue-collar workforce. High impact leaders can use it to transform those they lead into high impact team players.

This second book in the series, Blue-Collar Leadership® & Supervision: Unleash Your Team's Potential, is a tool and resource for developing those courageous people who have stepped up and accepted a position of leadership, most often, without ever receiving any formal leadership training. They’re simply expected to lead without being taught how to lead. And, they do the best they can.

This book will help them grow beyond supervision and management. They will understand what it means to become a high impact leader of people and how to become a highly effective front line leader. They will learn how to move beyond managing people and to begin leading people.

As I share the principles that allowed me to be promoted 14 times in the first 20 years (1988-2008) of my career, you will learn how to get noticed by the right leaders and how to get promoted for the right reasons. While logging over 11,000 hours between 2005-2012 as a Leadership Development and Lean Manufacturing consultant leading leaders and their teams through hundreds of kaizen events, process improvement, organizational change, and cultural transformation, I learned to use the principles in this book to achieve amazing results with and through other people.

Will you remain a traditional supervisor or manager?

Or, will you choose to become a high impact leader that also supervises and manages? Show less

“I wish someone would have given me this book nearly 30 years ago when I started my career on the front lines. It would have changed my life then. It can change your life now.” ~ Mack Story

Finally, a book written specifically for those who are on the front lines of an organization. It will help you unleash your own or your team’s potential by taking the complex and making it simple.

Separate yourself from the crowd quickly by learning how to master the traits high impact leaders… Show more

“I wish someone would have given me this book nearly 30 years ago when I started my career on the front lines. It would have changed my life then. It can change your life now.” ~ Mack Story

Finally, a book written specifically for those who are on the front lines of an organization. It will help you unleash your own or your team’s potential by taking the complex and making it simple.

Separate yourself from the crowd quickly by learning how to master the traits high impact leaders value most.

You will learn how to get noticed for the right reasons and how to get promoted for the right reasons.

You will learn how to become recognized as a high impact individual worth following, and you don’t need formal authority (position) because you will develop something better: moral authority (influence).

With 30 short, easy-to-read, 3 page chapters, Blue Collar Leadership® is written for those who are
working on the front lines, by someone who spent more than twenty years working on and supporting the front lines.

It's also perfectly formatted for leading teams through a simple book study where relationships will be formed and thinking will change as you help your team develop a growth-mindset.

Blue-Collar Leadership® features content specifically created for the often overlooked great people on the front lines that will allow them to better understand:

- how to become better team players
- how and why they should accept more responsibility
- how to build influence with their leaders and teammates
- how to make an impact from wherever they are
- how to intentionally become more valuable to the company
- how to become more successful as an individual

This book will actually be great for anyone at any level in any industry, but the greatest value will be for those in the blue-collar workforce on the front lines along with the first few layers of front line leaders. Show less

"We have far more than we need to succeed on the outside. The question is do we have what we need to succeed on the inside?" ~ Mack Story

High Impact leaders align their habits with key values in order to maximize their influence. These 10 values are common sense. However, they are not always common practice. These 10 values will help you build trust and accelerate relationship building. Those mastering these 10 values will be able to lead with speed as they develop 360° of influence… Show more

"We have far more than we need to succeed on the outside. The question is do we have what we need to succeed on the inside?" ~ Mack Story

High Impact leaders align their habits with key values in order to maximize their influence. These 10 values are common sense. However, they are not always common practice. These 10 values will help you build trust and accelerate relationship building. Those mastering these 10 values will be able to lead with speed as they develop 360° of influence from wherever they are.
- THE VALUE OF VISION Vision is the foundation of hope.
- THE VALUE OF MODELING Someone is always watching you
- THE VALUE OF RESPONSIBILITY When we take responsibility, we take control
- THE VALUE OF TIMING It matters when you do what you do
- THE VALUE OF RESPECT To be respected, we must be respectful
- THE VALUE OF EMPOWERMENT Leaders gain influence by giving it to others.
- THE VALUE OF DELEGATION We should lead with questions instead of directions.
- THE VALUE OF MULTIPLICATION None of us is as influential as all of us.
- THE VALUE OF RESULTS Leaders like to make things happen.
- THE VALUE OF SIGNIFICANCE Are you going to settle for success?

Why we do what we do is about our purpose. How we do what we do is about our performance. What we do will determine our potential. Where these three components overlap, you will achieve a HIGH IMPACT. Show less

If you already knew what you need to know, you would already be where you want to go.

Are you looking for transformation in your life? Do you want better results? Do you want stronger relationships? In Defining Influence, Mack blends his personal growth journey with lessons on the principles he learned to apply effectively along the way. He's not telling you what he learned after years of research. He's a regular guy telling you what he learned after years of application and… Show more

If you already knew what you need to know, you would already be where you want to go.

Are you looking for transformation in your life? Do you want better results? Do you want stronger relationships? In Defining Influence, Mack blends his personal growth journey with lessons on the principles he learned to apply effectively along the way. He's not telling you what he learned after years of research. He's a regular guy telling you what he learned after years of application and transformation. He has found his purpose in helping others grow and develop as they light the fire within.

You will learn the foundational principles of leadership (influence) which will help you understand the importance of the following five questions.

1. Why do we influence? – Our character determines why we influence. Who we are on the inside is what matters. Do we manipulate or motivate? It’s all about intent.

2. How do we influence? – Our character, combined with our competency, determines how we influence. Who we are and what we know combine to create our unique style of influence which determines our methods of influence.

3. Where do we influence? – Our passion and purpose determine where we have the greatest influence. What motivates and inspires us gives us the energy and authenticity to motivate and inspire others.

4. Who do we influence? – We influence those who buy-in to us. Only those valuing and seeking what we value and seek will volunteer to follow us. They give us or deny us permission to influence them based on how well we have developed our character and competency.

5. When do we influence? – We influence others when they want our influence. We choose when others influence us. Everyone else has the same choice. They decide when to accept or reject our influence. We only influence others when they want to change.

Asking these questions is important. Knowing the answers is more important. But, taking action based on the answers is most important. Show less