Derek Deprey

Derek Deprey's passion is to help you become the leader you'd want to follow. With a background in basketball operations at the NCAA Division 1 and NBA levels, as well as experience in the fitness and automotive industries, he now turns managers into leaders at Fit to Lead as an author, keynote speaker, and leadership coach. Derek has written two books, SHIFT: Move from Frustrated to Fulfilled and Everyday Leaders: Small Actions, Big Results. When Derek isn't geeking out on leadership, he's working out, coaching basketball, or carting his daughters all over like an Uber driver.

Most Requested Programs

Shift: Move From Frustrated to Fulfilled

Every day, we move in one direction or another. We’re free to choose from endless possibilities. Only you can choose the direction for the rest of your life. Whether you are a seasoned executive, emerging leader, stay-at-home parent, or college student, frustration is inevitable. Now is the time for you to SHIFT from, “I’m so busy and stressed,” to, “I’m living my ideal life right now.” In this presentation, Derek will teach you a 5-gear process that you can apply in your personal and professional lives. Each gear will uniquely move you from frustrated to fulfilled. Through powerful questions and compelling exercises, you’ll discover how to make today the day you are inspired to change. It’s your next move!

Learning Outcomes

-Discover Who You Are - Confront your fears & form your core values
-Decide Where You Are Going - Pursue personal growth & visualize your preferred future
-Design How You Will Get There - Adopt a positive mindset, personalize your ambitions & exercise meaningful action
-Fulfill Your Ideal Life - Build an aligned life for personal & professional success
-Inspire Fellow Travelers - Become a leader worth following

Every Day Leaders: Small Actions, Big Results

For too long, our recognition of leadership has been narrowly defined to a select few –– presidents, CEOs or historical icons. We have been captivated by charismatic figures on the cover of Forbes or viral sensations on social media. But what about the everyday leaders who have shaped us on a personal level? The parents, mentors, teammates and family members who have left an indelible mark on our lives? It's time to reimagine leadership, to celebrate the silent influencers and to recognize that each one of us possesses the power to lead. Are you ready to step into your role as an everyday leader?

Learning Outcomes

-Understand the difference between micromanagement and everyday leadership as well as the importance of empowering and nurturing others.
-Recognize the value of stepping outside one's comfort zone to facilitate personal and professional growth.
-Seek discomfort to lead to greater growth over time -- with strategies for gradually expanding one's comfort zone through small, everyday actions.
-Appreciate how individuals can have a profound impact on those around them, regardless of their position or title -- and show appreciation for those people in your life.
-Discover the importance of finding one's "why" or purpose as a leader, beyond just pursuing victories or accolades.
-Understand how prioritizing the needs, growth and happiness of others is a key aspect of effective everyday leadership. (It's not about you)

EXECUTE: 6 Habits That Will Transform Your Work & Life

Carefully look over your "to-do" list. Will you commit to action? Reality check: wherever you are in your life and career is a result of your habits, good or bad. Great news! No matter where you are right now, you can transform your life by transforming your habits. The best way to get started is to bridge the gap between being busy and being productive. In this workshop, you'll learn that the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Derek will help you design every minute of your activities with 6 gap-closing behaviors. You’ll go from, “I’m overwhelmed, stuck, and unfulfilled” to, “I’m laser-focused, making progress, and fulfilled.”

Learning Outcomes

-Set an inspiring goal
-Create a deadline
-Block off alone time
-Commit to deep work
-Say no
-Do it afraid

Everyone Communicates, but Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently

Talk is cheap; everybody does it. Connection is where it's at. The most effective leaders know how to connect. It's not about power or popularity, but rather making the people around you feel heard, comfortable, and understood. While it may seem like some folks are born with a commanding presence that draws people in, the fact is that anyone can learn to communicate in ways that consistently build powerful connections. In this presentation, Derek will share four principles and four practices to develop connection skills. Connecting is a learnable skill that you can apply today in your personal and professional relationships.

Learning Outcomes

-Slow down and build an others-focused plan

-Understand power of our actions and tone

-Connect with others authentically

-Patiently seek to understand

-Practice the FACE Technique to remember names

-Apply the four ways to use energy to connect

-Ask better questions to deepen conversations

-Create a sense of belonging

The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential

True leadership isn't a matter of having a certain job or title. In fact, being chosen for a position is only the first of the five levels every effective leader strives to achieve. To become more than "the boss" people follow only because they are required to, you have to master the ability to inspire and invest in them. To further grow in your role, you must build a team that produces while helping teammates develop their skills to become leaders in their own right. In this workshop, Derek will show you how to master each level and rise up to become a more influential, respected, and successful leader.

Learning Outcomes

-Provide a clear picture of leadership

-Define leading as a verb, not a noun

-Break down leading into understandable steps

-Implement a game plan for leadership development

-Extend your influence for the benefit of others

Giving Feedback & Having Difficult Conversations

Do you always wait until the annual performance review to give any feedback? In this workshop, you’ll learn that feedback is a tool for appreciating, coaching, developing, and empowering employees all year long. Feedback is NOT punishment, it's a gift. Derek will facilitate conversations and activities on how feedback can be helpful or harmful depending on how it’s delivered. You’ll walk away knowing that frequent informal feedback positively impacts productivity, morale, and results.

Learning Outcomes

-Understand why you should give feedback

-Prepare for and deliver feedback using the SBI-3 process

-Stop avoiding difficult conversations once and for all

-Show empathy and make room for the possibility that you might be wrong

-Learn how to ask for and receive feedback

-Manage up and give feedback to your boss

Testimonials

“Thanks for a great session. The feedback from the team has been overwhelmingly positive. I just connected with our Chief Marketing Officer, and she said you’re among—if not the best—she’s ever seen. We truly appreciate your ability to turn ideas into clear, practical takeaways.” —Stephanie Jarstad, Vice President & Chief of Staff, Northwestern Mutual

“The icing on the cake was Derek sharing his personal experience with U.S. Bank—he knew our tellers by name and celebrated his positive feelings walking into our branches. That totally surprised and uplifted everyone in the room.” —Nina Johnson, Vice President, U.S. Bank

“Derek created the perfect flow and delivered valuable insights our leaders could immediately use. With a room full of both new and seasoned leaders, I especially appreciated how he tailored the content to speak to everyone.” —Wendy Bushell, Chief People Officer, Palermo’s Pizza

“I prayed it would be worth my team getting up early on their day off to hear this speaker—and it absolutely was. Derek captured the room’s attention from the start and truly knew his audience.” —Kathy Collins, Managing Director, Club Management Association of America

“One of our support staff members came up to me and said Derek’s message was exactly what she needed to hear at this point in her life. That kind of impact is rare—and meaningful.” —Ron Travers, Chief, U.S. Probation Office