James Mapes

James Mapes is the founder of Quantum Leap Thinking, creator of The Transformational Coach, expert on the psychology of "applied imagination," bestselling author, highly acclaimed business speaker, consultant, seminar leader and personal excellence coach. For over 30 years, James has been an ardent student of human behavior and dedicated to helping individuals, teams and organizations identify and break through barriers to reach their goals and achieve success. He encourages people to be open to new ways of thinking, and his goal is to help everyone make the "quantum leap" toward more creative, productive and confident lives. For both businesses and individuals, his message promotes an innovative, powerful way of thinking and provides a new-found mastery over their imagination and perceptions so that, in his words, "the invisible becomes visible and the impossible becomes possible." The results have been nothing short of extraordinary, creating key breakthroughs in both organizational and personal excellence.  

James Mapes' success as a speaker and highly regarded authority on the imagination, creative thinking, communication, managing change, organizational problem-solving, successful teamwork and coaching is due to his early training as an actor and experience as a theatrical producer. In 1969, he graduated from California State University with a Master of Arts degree in theater and speech. He then worked in repertory theater, off-Broadway and directed two of his own theater companies, amassing dozens of television and movie credits. As a performer, he developed a unique stage presence with a special talent for connecting with his audience. Mapes' work has earned him appearances on CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America and Fox Family Channel, among other media outlets.

As a recognized business speaker and performance coach, James has spoken to hundreds of public and private companies in more than 70 countries. His clients include financial institutions, software companies, the military, the healthcare industry, financial institutions, training and development divisions of large corporations and major non-profit organizations. Companies, associations, universities and business schools, including IBM Corporate, U.S. Coast Guard, Lockheed Martin and The Princeton Center for Leadership Training, have quoted Mapes in training manuals and textbooks.

James Mapes personal goal of living an exceptional life is reflected in both his business activities as well as his recreational pursuits, which range from scuba-diving, ballooning, racecar driving, Kempo Karate, and world travel, to an avid interest in reading. His two highly regarded books are Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner's Guide to the Mind and The Workbook: The Magic of Quantum Leap Thinking. His new book The Elephant and the Rider: Living an Exceptional Life is scheduled for publication in 2012.

James Mapes presentations are personal, interactive and humorous. Above all, he creates results and makes a lasting difference in the energy level, commitment and productivity of each individual in his audience.

• 1. Imagine That!: Unleashing the Power of the Imagination for Success

  Success literally depends on how people use their imagination. Exceptional individuals in all walks of life have the capability to think creatively and open up new opportunities for innovation. These are the individuals who have mastered the skill of visualizing a dynamic and successful future and then creating what they envision with optimism and hope. Einstein's words have never ringed truer, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. It is a preview of life's coming attractions."
  
  James Mapes, the leading authority on the psychology of "applied imagination," demonstrates that success can be achieved by a clear understanding and application of the mind. James skillfully stretches people's perceptions to see new possibilities and experience how their own imagination works. He guides his audience to understand that the powerful mental pictures we all carry around with us impact the opportunities we see and are the force which shapes how we thrive in challenging times.
  
  Based on his successful signature program and bestselling book, Quantum Leap Thinking, James Mapes has created this new, engaging, practical, interactive and entertaining program, James captures and holds the audience's attention with a compelling series of stories, demonstrations and video clips that leave no doubt that – "you can achieve what you imagine." Participants will experience applying their own imagination to craft a personal "vision" that instills passion and motivation in – all areas of life. The audience will leave this thought-provoking, fascinating and inspiring journey learning:
  
  - How to apply their imagination to successfully achieve goals
  - How to craft a compelling, emotional, realistic and persuasive future vision
  - How to recognize and break through limiting fears
  - How to use core values to unlock motivation
  - How to take risks
  - How to manage change for growth

• 2. True Leadership: The Neuroscience of Effective Leaders

  What is leadership, really? The business world is awash with leadership philosophies, how-to books and training institutes that can leave even the savvy manager perplexed as to exactly how to encourage employees to develop their own leadership style. It is important to push aside the clutter and get back to a fundamental understanding of what "true" leadership traits are essential for success. The adage "leaders are born, not made" is questionable, as it takes hard work to craft a leadership style that works for each individual 
  
  In this provocative, confrontational, lively and interactive presentation, renowned performance coach and bestselling author James Mapes incorporates his legendary humor, movie clips and an array of audience exercises to reveal:
  
  - The five core traits of all great leaders
  - Why morality, a nice disposition and power do not necessarily make a great leader
  - A road map for participants to enhance their personal leadership style and permanently transform it
  - How to craft an emotionally charged, clear and realistic future vision to motivate

• 3. Patient Pre-op/Post-op Healing Therapy

  Patient Pre-op/Post-op Healing Therapy is meant to serve as an adjunct to patient treatment. This program can be presented directly to patients or - as a workshop for medical staff.
  
  This groundbreaking interactive learning experience reduces fear and anxiety, manages negative stress and creates a healing consciousness for recovery. "Stress, depression and anxiety prior to surgery have all been associated with poor surgical recovery," writes Jan Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University. Studies show that reducing negative stress reduces fear, improves immune function, reduces pain and helps heal faster from surgery.
  
  Attendees will...
  
  - Experience two highly engaging participatory exercises to unlock the untapped powers of their imagination;
  - Discover how the application of "positive imagery" that will help them successfully manage even the most difficult challenges;
  - Learn techniques to reduce stress, improve their sense of well-being and move towards their procedure with calmness, hope and an understanding of the mind-body connection;
  - Experience a 15-minute closed-eye relaxation/visualization that instills calmness, hope, motivation for wellness and healing;
  - Receive a recording of a relaxation/visualization which they will be instructed to listen to twice a day for minimum of one week before surgery.
  
  With Patient Pre-op/Post-op Healing Therapy, James calls upon his 30 years of experience as a peak performance coach, business speaker, medical facilitator and clinical hypnotist. This presentation is based on both his extensive experience in helping patients prepare for all forms of surgery as well as his own journey of having open heart surgery. James is the author of the bestselling book, Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner's Guide to the Mind and Creator of the Transformational Coach Program.    
  
  The program will include the "5 keys to living an exceptional life" learned from a combination of his executive business coaching and his open-heart surgery.
  
  1. MAKE FRIENDS WITH REALITY: If you can accept the reality of the situation, you can turn fear into positive action and control what can be controlled.
  
  2. ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE: Having a positive attitude affects everyone – from the patient to family and friends to the hospital staff. 
  
  3. CREATE A SOLID SUPPORT SYSTEM: Surround yourself with people who have a positive attitude and have your best interest in mind. This includes choosing an advocate to act on your behalf.
  
  4. ASK FOR HELP AND EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE: Friends and caregivers need to know you need them. Set aside your ego and ask for help because that is what friends and caregivers provide - comfort and peace of mind. Say "Thank you." Gratitude is a surprisingly powerful force for good.
  
  5. CREATE A VISION THAT WILL BRING PEACE AND CALMNESS BEFORE SURGERY AND SUPPORT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND HEALING FOR THE FUTURE: Unleash the power of imagery to quiet stress and fear and create a positive expectation (hope) for the future.  Visualization is a useful tool that will serve you for life.

• James is one of the most insightful and motivational business speakers I have seen. He gets people to both think and gives them practical tools to help manage themselves and therefore their businesses in these turbulent times of change. He is personable and energizes the audience with his enthusiastic delivery such that you leave James's session with your mind in overdrive thinking about the concepts and ideas that James has put forward.

  Omnicom Europe Limited

• Thank you again for an insightful talk last night! We really appreciate your efforts in adapting your typical presentation to fit the group needs for our retreat. It was a great lead into important dialogue on our team and where we are, values, pushing boundaries on our fear and thinking, etc. We will certainly come back to these topics throughout the retreat! Thanks again - we will certainly be back in touch!

  EMD Serono, Inc.

• I want to thank you for your brilliant Keynote Speech. You did everything that one could possibly do in a Keynote and then more.  Your ideas were challenging. You provided practical information which could immediately be implemented by our attendees. You got rave reviews.

  National Association for Home Care & Hospice

• I am in my fifties, in sales all of my life, and I have seen many programs regarding self-help and motivation, and I would say that James' program was among the very best that I have ever seen - right up there with Zig Ziglar. When you can get someone who has been around for a while pumped-up again, and at the same time provide new thoughts and ideas, you have a most valuable program.

  State Farm Insurance Companies

• James was GREAT! Our group really enjoyed his presentation and walked away with very useful ideas on how to embrace and leverage change.

  Sun Trust Commercial Banking

• James was FANTASTIC. I've received extremely positive feedback from all our senior executives, both verbally and via e-mail. His personalization of the material really impressed everyone, as well as his energy. He was a great way to end the conference. I have to tell you, James is the ultimate professional.

  Colliers Turley Martin Tucker

• James' 'True Leadership' keynote address at the 2011 Mercer Latin America HR Forum was excellent - both thought provoking and inspiring. It really made you think about how you can improve your own personal leadership style. James has a great delivery which is both informative and entertaining. He really engages with his audience!

  Mercer Latin America

• You have done it again, James. The presentation of 'Imagine That!' at the DMA Nonprofit Federation Conference was sensational! You communicated new and insightful information in an inspiring manner. It was the perfect combination of content and motivation. Your style, humor and audience engagement had everyone on the edge of their seats.

  Russ Reid

• When you meet James Mapes, you cannot help but have a visceral reaction to his unique ability to shape your life in a positive manner. I was first introduced to James through his book, Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owners Guide to the Mind; however, after meeting in person, I was truly moved by James' ability to teach, coach and inspire. James is an architect of "high performance" and has a personality that resonates with enthusiasm and a positive mental attitude. James recently spent time with our Executive Team and our North American Division. The result of the meeting greatly exceeded all of our expectations... in addition to learning specific tools to enhance performance, team members left the meeting with an increased level of passion and desire to achieve success. James is a special person, an extraordinary motivator, a powerful communicator and a great architect of performance.

  Merisant Company

• What an inspirational evening! You truly captivated HP's management team with your presentation and opened their minds to 'anything & everything' is possible. Your message and your delivery were extremely effective for 'out-of-the-box' thinking and personal application. We highly recommend you for rejuvenating a conference and helping people through change. Your message is perfect for peak performers.

   

  Hewlett Packard Company

• 
  April 1996

  Quantum Leap Thinking: An Owner's Guide to the Mind

  Positive change can happen in sudden and profound leaps. Quantum Leap Thinking provides the foundation for breakthrough thinking that will trigger astonishing growth in your personal and professional life. What if it was possible to break through fear and make positive changes in your life in an instant by a simple shift in your thinking? What if you could lower your anxiety in a matter of seconds by changing your perceptions? How would your life change if you had unshakable motivation for whatever you chose to do? Quantum Leap Thinking is the key to unlocking the door to new-found potential and peak performance.