The Maximum Impact Simulcast Team Visits Tony Blair in LondonApr 17, 2009

London, England - Former prime minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair shared leadership insights in a recent video interview at his London office with author Dr. Henry Cloud. The video will air at the upcoming Maximum Impact Simulcast on May 8, 2009.

Blair is one of the 10 thought leaders who will speak at the 2009 Maximum Impact Simulcast, a one-day leadership training event broadcast live from the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta to approximately 400 host sites throughout the nation. Host sites use the event to build relationships in their communities and offer leadership training to their own teams.

The Maximum Impact team was pleased to do the interview in Blair's private office. Dan Cathy, president of Chick-fil-A ,and his team also attended the video shoot, as the presenting sponsors of the Maximum Impact Simulcast.

"Tony Blair was very gracious and generous with his time," said Julie Fleschner, event director for the Maximum Impact Simulcast. "He was engaging, humble and accommodating to our entire team. I was extremely impressed."

Tony Blair served as Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1997 to 2007. Blair transformed Britain's public services, resulting in better academic achievements for children and faster, improved access to health care. He is also widely credited for his contribution towards the Northern Ireland Peace Process, helping to negotiate the Good Friday Agreement and deliver a power-sharing government.

Blair currently works with the USA, UN, Russia and EU as the Quartet Representative, helping the Palestinians prepare for statehood as part of the international community's peace effort. He launched the Tony Blair Faith Foundation to promote understanding between the major faiths.

In the interview, Blair talked with Cloud about why he chose the career of public service, how his leadership has changed over the years, which world leaders he admires, how to lead a team, and even who is favorite rock band is.

"I learned to have the courage to lead," said Blair. "...You've got to be prepared sometimes to stand up and challenge [things you believe are wrong], and that's a difficult thing to do."

Interviewer Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist and leadership consultant who has written or co-written more than 20 books, including the two million-seller Boundaries, Integrity: The Courage To Meet The Demands of Reality, 9 Things You Simply Must Do: To Succeed in Love and Life, and most recently, The One-Life Solution. His books have earned three Gold Medallion awards and the distinguished Retailers Choice award.

The entire interview will be broadcast on May 8. Other speakers for the event include:

  • Jack Nicklaus, winner of 18 major golf championships
  • John Maxwell, best-selling author and leadership expert
  • Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
  • Bill George, Harvard Business School professor, former Medtronic CEO and author
  • Linda Kaplan Thaler, creator of the Aflac ad campaign, CEO and author
  • Kevin Carroll, former Nike creative, author and speaker
  • Liz Murray, inspirational speaker
  • Mark Sanborn, best-selling author of The Fred Factor
  • Ernie Johnson, host of TNT's "Inside the NBA"

"The Simulcast is unique in that you hear from some of the most cutting edge business leaders in the world in a relatively short amount of time," said Demming Bass, vice president of marketing and public policy for the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. "The content is top-notch and the attendees are as well. I enjoyed meeting the other high-powered entrepreneurs and business leaders that were in attendance during the breaks."

At the 2009 event, the speakers will address a variety of leadership topics including:

  • How to converge people with organizational purpose
  • How to overcome personal and professional adversity
  • How to embrace change
  • The keys to building strong teams
  • Best practices for balancing the needs of customers, employees and company shareholders

For more information about attending the Maximum Impact Simulcast, visit www.maximumimpactsimulcast.com or call 877-225-3311.

GiANT Impact, based in Atlanta, is a growth company that develops leaders through leadership events, training and resources. With a presence in North and South America, Asia, Europe and Australia, GiANT influences influencers to change the world.