Rob Peck's highly original approach to keynote speaking results from a rather unique educational background. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania (Phi Beta Kappa) and doing post-graduate studies at Harvard and The Sorbonne University in Paris, Rob enrolled in the Antic Arts Academy (founded by four former Ringling Brothers Clown College "professors" including MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Michael Moschen).

After a 20 year career as a touring performing artist - including a long running one-man show, commissioned by and performed at the Smithsonian Institution, as well as feature slots on cable and network television programs such as Donahue, Evening Magazine and Amazing America, Rob turned in his clown nose and took up public speaking with a passion. He is the C.E.A. (Creative Education Advocate) of ZESTWORKS, a speaking, training and consulting firm whose core mission is to make content come alive by linking lessons with laughter. Rob's guiding principle is that high spirits mean low attrition. His unique and innovative keynotes like "Keeping All The Balls In The Air" or "Laugh & Learn, Think Long Term" combine enduring truths with mesmerizing circus skills, and inspire participants to substantively improve inter-departmental communication by reframing the question "How smart are you?" to "How are you smart?"

When he is not on the platform, Rob regularly conducts in-house creativity seminars, designs stress management training programs, facilitates retreats, and has served as a spirit in the workplace consultant for numerous companies and institutions. ZESTWORKS' team-building trainings, like "Playing For Keeps" or "All Work & No Play...NO WAY!!", let leaders and staff experience first hand how humor can help companies retain, rather than constantly retrain, key personnel. From Harvard to Hewlett Packard, ZESTWORKS' creatively customized programs have sparked the fresh thinking and fertile collaborations that help leaders and teams stay focused, stay flexible and stay together in a high trust, winning organization.

As a speaker, trainer or consultant, Rob Peck's literal and figurative understanding of "juggling" has helped thousands of multi-tasking professionals rediscover a life-balance, which frees them to have less stress and more zest at work...and at home.

NEW PROGRAM!! KEEPING ALL THE BALLS IN THE AIR
How To Stay Up In A Down Economy!

In the face of the financial meltdown, leaders and teams have to juggle more multiple responsibilities than ever. But "All work and no play..." NO WAY! Good morale fuels the resiliency and the resourcefulness to recognize that difficulties can either obstruct or instruct. It?s our choice. We can constantly complain, or we can constructively reframe. Accentuating the positive fosters a can-do spirit that empowers people to tackle difficult problems- with the courage to risk failure, and the creativity to turn adversity into an opportunity to exceed customer expectations. Leaders who know how to respond creatively to unforeseen problems model a resiliency that rubs off. In tough times, nothing helps us bounce back quicker than a good laugh. Keeping a sense of humor helps us keep problems in perspective. Facing challenges with humor heightens our capacity to envision ourselves in another's shoes. Both of which strengthen our ability to respond to problems with "Plan B's" that result in more creative solutions and more loyal customers.

Change Management
Emotional Intelligence/Resiliency/Spirit in the workplace
"KEEPING ALL THE BALLS IN THE AIR" (How To Cope With Constant Change...And Still Stay Sane!)

Busy professionals are increasingly challenged to do a kind of juggling act where they balance their attention between several pressing demands, yet never lose track of the big picture - and still keep their eye on the ball. With so many multiple responsibilities, and in the midst of so much non-stop rapid change, it's hard to keep our professional - let alone our personal - life in a healthy balance.

Being able to have (and hone) a good sense of humor helps us hang tough in hard times. Laughter is like leavening...it helps heavy spirits rise! If you'd like to have less stress and more zest, this keynote will leave you with a fresh, fun-spirited way to recharge your creative battery, experience a renewed sense of connection with your colleagues...and provide an enticing challenge to make shared laughter a daily rite.

Core Goals/Key Outcomes:

• Managers and team leaders learn theory and acquire tools to help them keep their balance in periods of high volatility
• Audience members leave feeling more confident that they can stay focused and stay committed
• Employees go back to work with a renewed sense of connection and compelling incentive to make each other's job environments more fun
• Workplace morale goes up and energized job performance fuels organizational growth
• Companies retain - rather than constantly retrain - key personnel.

Health & Wellness
Stress management/Life balance, "mental fitness"
"THE BEST TEST IS ZEST!"

Creative Team Building
Using humor to decrease burnout and attrition and increase innovation and morale

"PLAYING FOR KEEPS"
How leaders and teams can use humor in the workplace to retain rather than constantly retrain key employees

Education & Training
Multiple intelligences theory and practical application

"LEFT BRAINERS, RIGHT BRAINERS & NO BRAINERS!"
Why emotional intelligence is the key to "people smart" communication