Top 10 Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders with Jason Treu

On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, we discussed the value of building relationships with business coach and social network guru Jason Treu. Jason shared insider tips on seeking out the right people and building self-confidence to influence and engage others on your way to business success. Here, Jason discusses the people who have influenced him to think differently, explore new ideas, and continue moving forward to achieve goals. 

1. Adam Grant (Give and Take)

“Social Darwinists believe that the strongest rise to the top and good guys finish last. Whoa, that’s not what the youngest tenured professor at Wharton, Adam Grant, learned. From his research, he divides the entrepreneurial world into three camps: takers, givers and matchers. Though it may be true that some give so much their work gets hampered, Adam found that some of the top entrepreneurs also rise by giving. In Give and Take, he explains why this happens and what the givers on top do that’s way different from those at the bottom. In the end, we learn why those who get ahead help as many people as they can by helping – and without keeping score.

“Adam’s book is truly inspiration and it’s one of the only books I recommend to every single client. He’s the embodiment of giving to others and this book is changing the way people think about doing business and their careers. Brilliant, forward thinking, underrated leader and business innovator…are words to describe him. Read whatever he writes and get on his newsletter!”

2. Marie Forleo (marieforleo.com)

“Taking Marie’s coaching sessions back in 2005 really inspired me in my decision to become a life coach myself and become of service to others. She is an amazing coach and I made breakthroughs in five minutes of speaking with her. As a Jersey Girl, she started with absolutely nothing, but was able to build a brand from scratch by maximizing a couple of niches while having a great time doing it. She began by trading on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and then worked for various magazines until she finally figured out her true life’s purpose.

“She has so much passion, so much energy! Marie truly adds value to everything she touches (i.e., call her Midas!). I highly recommend checking out her b-school and MarieTV, which always has great stuff to watch. You never know what’s up her sleeve next! But you know it’s going to be exciting.”

3. Brene Brown (brenebrown.com)

“She’s a guru I’ve followed for a long time from watching her TED Videos to all her books. Her brilliance, radiance, authenticity and vulnerability shines through in everything she says and writes. I recommend to every client of mine books of hers because they will help anyone no matter where they are in their lives.”

4. Rick Duris (copyranger.com)

“Need to polish your marketing message? Got a broken sales letter or funnel? A website that’s sucking wind? Rick Duris is your guy. Rick writes amazingly engaging copy. Copy that converts.

“If anyone knows the power of understanding marketing strategy, Rick does. He works some of the best known entrepreneurs, thought leaders and businesses out there. Including a few on this list.

“Personally, meeting Rick Duris early this May really changed my life. He demonstrated to me the extraordinary power of copywriting. Writing in such a way which not only delivers interesting content, but also keep people to keep reading, keeps them engaged, until they ultimately feel compelled to buy something from you. It’s one of the reasons my Amazon best selling book Social Wealth is doing so well.

“You’ll discover Rick’s a hell of a guy – one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s got a passion for helping others that doesn’t quit. Being an entrepreneurial copywriter is a true lifestyle for him.”

5. Mastin Kipp (thedailylove.com)

“Mastin Kipp’s story really kicks butt! As a 21-year-old manager in the Hollywood music industry, he enjoyed the best of drugs, booze, hotties, celebrity status – you name it. But you know how time, addiction and pissing people off takes its course. The recession hit, and Mastin lost his job, his girlfriend, his business and all the goodies that went with them. I’m totally inspired by how he charted an amazing new life for himself. You can read all about it on The Daily Love.

“After following Mastin for a few years, I finally got a chance to meet him over my birthday weekend in October of this year. We started to speak prior to his lecture and he asked one of the most important questions of my life. “So, what’s your biggest fear?” Soon we were discussing it in front of a whole room of people. It was fantastic! Facing and embracing those fears with him and taking his Mastery Intensive Class helped me to make massive breakthroughs and take inspired actions (including making a video on a huge fear I had). He also wrote an inscription in his new book to me that I read almost daily to remind me of the journey I must take.”

6. Selena Soo (http://www.s2-groupe.com/)

Selena is one of the top rockstars in relationship building and knowing how to connect with influencers. I’ve taken her coaching and received tremendous value out of it. She knows what to do and how to do it.

7. Shawn Achor (goodthinkinc.com)

Sean is the happiness king. He’s wealth of knowledge on the subject along with his front-line research has really helped me understand how to be happier in my own life. I’ve taken one of his courses and recommend others do as well.

8. Chris Guillebreau (chrisguillebeau.com)

NY Times-best-selling author Chris Guillebeau has visited every country in the world by travel hacking – learning how to make the best use of credit card miles. Trust me, he travels in high style. His World Domination Summit is one of the top conferences in the world. If you can get there in 2015, you’ll meet a who’s who of leaders, expert, and gurus from a kaboodle of disciplines. I first came across Chris in 2012 with this blog post on how small things can keep us from big things. I love his new book The Happiness of Pursuit, and it was fantastic to meet him here in Dallas in November!

9. Kate Swoboda (yourcourageouslife.com)

“Lifecoach Kate Swoboda is amazing and her blog on taking action, overcoming your fears, and living an authentic life is a message that really resonates with me. Every course I’ve taken with her leaves me breathless and begging for more. During the podcast I did with her, I experienced several epiphanies as we talked! If you’re someone who spends time worrying about what others think and say about you, take time to read this post on creating safe and loving boundaries for yourself.

“Favorite quote: “I don’t want to be remembered as ‘Kate, who always made it to her oil changes on time.’ I’d like my daughter to always remember that I took time to stop. To breathe. To soften. To smile.”

10. Michael Hyatt (michaelhyatt.com)

“Michael is a true leader in every sense of the word. We did a podcast together for my site in 2013, and I learned so much from him that I listened to the thing three times! Now I use his WordPress blogging platform builder theme on my own site. It’s the best out there. He based the theme on principles he shared in his New York Times bestseller, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.

“The new book he co-authored with Daniel Harkavy with plans to publish in 2015, This Is Your Life: A Proven Plan to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, has a simple, but elegant message – stop being a spectator and get off your duff! The truth is that Michael follows his desire for personal growth like the Holy Grail. And part of that includes his endless passion to serve and help others. I trust Michael completely and never hesitate to join anything he promotes. His blog always gives you food for thought and plenty of advice on acquiring or polishing your leadership skills.”