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Mark Nation

Founder and CEO at Nation Leadership

Chattanooga, United States

Mark Nation is a globally recognized management expert, bestselling author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and leadership consultant. He is personally driven to discover what makes individuals, teams, and organizations amazing—those elements that power the heart and soul of individuals and businesses worldwide. His bestselling book, Made for Amazing: An Instrumental Journey of Authentic Leadership Transformation, helps people to identify and sharpen their unique talents in the workplace and beyond. Made for Amazing received a Gold Medal in the 2018 Gold Ink Awards and was named one of the Top 20 Books of 2022 by independent research firm, Global Gurus. Global Gurus also rated Mark one of the world’s Top 30 Leadership Coaches from 2018-24, and in 2023 he was named to the International Thought Leaders Hall of Fame by the International Federation of Learning & Development (IFLD).

Mark has built and managed companies across five industries, developing people, products, and partnerships on six continents. He has worked with a wide range of clients, from top executives, corporate managers and young leaders, to Fortune 500 organizations, start-ups, schools, churches, and non-profits. He has been an active member of Forbes Coaches Council and a Fellow with The Institute of Coaching at Harvard Medical School. Mark has appeared in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Fox, NBC, ABC, Christian Post, SmartBrief, Leadership Freak, Boston Business Journal, Faith Radio, Channelnomics, MarketWatch, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Chicago Daily Herald, and Silicon Valley Business Journal.

In his presentations, workshops, consulting and coaching sessions, Mark focuses on developing authentic leaders who seek to operate with strong values and high integrity. His most sought-after topics have included purpose-driven leadership, personal branding, executive advisory services, career development and transitions, expat and global management, team building and corporate engagement, effective partnership design, and service leadership.

Mark is Founder of Nation Leadership, the Made for Amazing Project, and Harvard Help Circle. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is a former professional musician and Ironman triathlete who enjoys skiing, running, biking, and meeting incredible people all over the world. Mark’s work and travels have taken him to over 40 U.S. states and 38 countries, where he has managed, performed, or spoken to over 300,000 people. When not traveling, Mark is based in Tennessee.

Available For: Advising, Consulting, Speaking
Travels From: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Speaking Fee $20,000 (In-Person), $8,000 (Virtual)

Mark Nation Points
Academic 0
Author 94
Influencer 133
Speaker 93
Entrepreneur 80
Total 400

Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.

Thought Leader Profile

Portfolio Mix

Company Information

Company Type: Company
Minimum Project Size: N/A
Average Hourly Rate: N/A
Number of Employees: 1-10
Company Founded Date: Undisclosed

Areas of Expertise

Business Strategy
Careers 55.34
Change Management
Coaching 57.80
Culture
Customer Experience
Ecosystems
Entrepreneurship
Future of Work
Health and Wellness
HR
Innovation
International Relations
Leadership 31.49
Management 40.18
Personal Branding 41.99
Sales

Industry Experience

Automotive
Chemicals
Consumer Products
Engineering & Construction
Federal & Public Sector
Financial Services & Banking
Healthcare
High Tech & Electronics
Industrial Machinery & Components
Insurance
Manufacturing
Media
Oil & Gas
Pharmaceuticals
Professional Services
Telecommunications
Travel & Transportation
Wholesale Distribution

Publications

24 Article/Blogs
BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH WORDS: GOVERNMENT LANGUAGE SERVICES JOBS AVAILABLE NOW
Nation Leadership
April 23, 2024
In our interconnected world, effective communication across language barriers is essential for diplomacy, commerce, and social cohesion

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

SECURE YOUR FUTURE: GOVERNMENT AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE JOBS AWAIT
Nation Leadership
April 15, 2024
In today’s ever-evolving regulatory landscape, the demand for skilled professionals in government audit and compliance roles is at an all-time high.If you are someone who finds working in the field of finance, auditing, and/or compliance intriguing, these roles may be able to offer you the rewarding and challenging career path you’re looking for.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Soft Skills Are Your Springboard to Success
Nation Leadership
February 05, 2024
Welcome to the heart of the nation’s largest employer, the United States federal government, where a transformative wind of change is sweeping through the corridors of power. In this blog, we explore the government’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) within its workforce, shaping a future where public service mirrors the diverse tapestry of the American people.

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Tags: Leadership, Management

Soft Skills Are the Springboard to Success in Public Sector
https://www.careersingovernment.com/tools/gov-talk/career-advice/soft-skills-springboard-success-public-sector/
January 30, 2022
Success in today’s organizational world rises and falls on “soft skills.” These crucial skills are not only in demand today but will be even more significant in the years to come.

But what are “soft skills”? Things that are not so easy to “teach” but are crucial to creating and sustaining organization and career success.

How hard are you willing to work on your soft skills?

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

Life is Like Music
Nation Leadership
March 20, 2021
Aside from being a general music fan, I believe music, in many ways, is a metaphor for life. We all have music within us and are trying to play the notes of “song.” We partner with others to create bands, groups, and symphonies. Each song—whether a solo or team effort—is stitched together into set of albums that ultimately represent our very lives. In music, there is literally something for everyone.

Finding purpose and passion is like finding your song. When you discover your true song and play it well, you slowly but surely become the masterpiece you were created to be. Life is an ever-unfolding journey that inspires us—no, begs us—to find our own “song” which is what I call our authentic leadership and life purpose.

So, how does the music of your life sound?

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

Care and Feeding of the Mind
Nation Leadership
January 16, 2020
What if you were actually happy and didn’t know it? What if there were things you could purposely do, not to make yourself happy, but to release the happiness that’s already hiding there inside you?

Well, guess what. There are.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Leadership

Here's How To Take Business Risks Responsibly, According To 12 Professional Coaches
Forbes
October 03, 2019
Seek first to design your “MVP,” which is your Minimum Viable Product. The MVP can be anything—a product, service, event, new business, new geography, etc. Design the solution set, test it in a limited, isolated, lower-risk fashion and work to secure successful “MVP status.” When you have the specifics nailed down in a repeatable model, drive forward with growth and scale with confidence.

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Tags: Coaching, Leadership, Management

The Importance Of Asking For Help As A Leader
Forbes
September 11, 2019
There I was in a room filled with leaders from around the globe thinking, “I can’t believe I just said that. And I’m not sure whether my saying it was such a good idea.” These weren’t just any leaders -- they were some of the most talented and decorated individuals in their fields. Some even refer to them as gurus.

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Tags: Coaching, Leadership

11 Advantages Small Businesses Have Over Large Corporations (And How To Use Them)
Forbes
July 22, 2019
Emphasize Disruptive Innovation

Your small business likely exists because larger companies are not serving customers effectively. Wherever possible, you should highlight and exploit every innovative aspect of your products or services. Emphasize those unique elements that set you apart from large corporations. Then, show them the path to innovate and disrupt their own industries by working with your firm.

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Tags: Coaching, Leadership, Management

Getting Back To Basics: 10 Signs Your Business Has A 'Tech Addiction'
Forbes
July 18, 2019
It’s so easy to rely on technology as a proxy for live, human connection. But, when we find ourselves overly dependent on virtual communications, we lose the natural element of personal connection. We literally lose touch with one another. Like many devices, sometimes we simply need to unplug and reconnect. We usually find that things begin to work better.

In all that you do, try never to lose your personal connections.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

Leadership Is A Four-Letter Word
Forbes
July 01, 2019
Okay, okay. I know what you’re thinking. And I’ve been right there with you. There are certain leaders who have made you want to curse, or made you feel cursed. Let’s face it: Good, sustained leadership is difficult at best. So it should come as no surprise that a leadership position can bring out the very best and/or the worst in any manager.

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Tags: Coaching, Leadership

Coaching Challenges: Nine Ways To Build Trust And Flexibility At The Workplace
Forbes
January 14, 2019
Focus On Shared Goals Or Wins

Focus on common threads that weave individuals or teams together. Common threads may be shared goals or values, or previous wins the team enjoyed. Show how improved performance depends on the collective experience and contribution from each stakeholder.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Four Ways To Nourish A Neglected Career
Forbes
January 02, 2019
Your career is going to the dogs — literally. We often give our furry and feathered friends more love and attention than we give our own careers and futures.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Leadership

3 Tips to Reignite Your Passion at Work
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November 27, 2018
If you find yourself getting bored at work or increasingly uninterested in what you are doing, it’s time to turn things around—now! Otherwise, in no time flat, you will find yourself headed down the dark rabbit hole of despair. Take a serious look at why you are in your current role (and with yo

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

A More Thoughtful Workout: 6 Steps to Better Mental and Emotional Health
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November 27, 2018
Most of us are familiar with emotional intelligence, and how important it is to couple strong “EQ,” or emotional intelligence, with strong IQ in the workplace. In addition, a strong body of work exists that helps us to understand how “thoughts are things” and, “what we think about, we brin

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

Playing With Soul at Work & In Life
Import from wordpress feed
November 27, 2018
“Beautiful music…is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.”      —Martin Luther Think about your favorite musician or band. The greats all play what they possess in their souls, and it is evident in their timeless pieces, many of which endure for generatio

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

Freeing Yourself from “Tin Man” Leadership
Import from wordpress feed
November 27, 2018
I recently had a conversation with the leader of a nonprofit about how we so easily become mechanical in our work, especially when we are in positions of leadership. The man I was talking with made a quick, off-the-cuff reference to the story of the Tin Man, and then moved on, but the metaphor reall

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Tags: Coaching, Leadership, Management

Treat Every Day Like It’s Thanksgiving and Christmas
Christian Post
November 22, 2017
Are you thankful enough for all the blessings in your life? Look around and observe your world with fresh eyes. You are truly more blessed than you may realize. We all are.

In this article, Mark offers 6 tips to remain in the holiday spirit all throughout the year.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Tuning into Your Life
Byron’s Babbles
October 27, 2017
Perhaps you have not realized it nor thought about it this way, but you are a vital part of a grand symphony, the harmonious expression of life.
There is music in your voice, music in your face, music in your soul, in your thoughts, and in every throb of your heart.

Everything you do expresses the one-of-a-kind melody that only you can bring to life.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

A Simple Thank You…to You!
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May 17, 2017
“Thank You So Much.” These four words have penetrated my mind and heart continually lately. Thank you so much. This is the simple message I want to deliver to all my friends, associates, colleagues, and loved ones. For no reason at all (and yet for every reason) — really just “because.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

10 Traits of Highly Creative Achievers
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September 01, 2016
Originally posted by Sherrie Campbell, Entrepreneur.com, August 11, 2016. Creative people often get a bad rap for being who they naturally are because they are different than everyone else. They tend to struggle through times of being ridiculed and misunderstood until they make such a major differen

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

Integrity and Trustworthiness: A Lost Art?
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August 22, 2016
“You are only as good as your word.” This used to be a popular, if trite and overstated, concept.  Unfortunately, in many circles today, the mantra may sound to many as some quaint old notion. We all know that, in reality, it’s far more than that. Without high integrity – without an implici

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

Care and Feeding of the Mind
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August 10, 2016
As a society we’ve come to care a lot about health and fitness. We read food and drug labels, go online for medical information, learn new fitness techniques, and fuss with diets. In other words, caring for the body is high on our priority list as a daily target. Maybe it’s irrelevant to ask ami

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

How’s Your Attitude?
Import from wordpress feed
July 10, 2016
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.  – Charles R. Swindoll I’ve noticed that when I say “Hi” to some people I pass by these days, they’re more than likely to use a popular street-speak reply that sounds more like, “Howru” Or, “’Sup.” Note the absence

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

1 Book
Made for Amazing
Mark Nation
October 24, 2017
In Made for Amazing, Mark Nation tells the story of Joshua Lynk, a troubled young man with an extraordinary musical talent. Josh’s father deserts him at an early age, leaving his grandfather to serve as his primary mentor and source of wisdom. Choosing fame and fortune over his grandfather’s advice, Josh neglects the deeper, spiritual part of himself. In the excitement of playing to crowds and seeking to imitate others, Josh forgets his true music. A rise to success that ends in sorrow leaves Josh in a crisis of self-doubt and pity. Recalling his grandfather’s advice to “Head for Ap Jack,” Josh returns to his grandfather’s cabin on the mountain and transforms his life, leading him to a deeper sense of purpose, joy, and professional fulfillment.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

1 eBook
Made for Amazing
Greenleaf Book Group
October 27, 2017
Can You Hear Your Music?

- Are you longing for more joy and fulfillment?
- Are you desperate to find deeper meaning and purpose?
- Are you determined to live the life of your dreams? Then . . .

Tune In.
Unlock Your Gifts.
Live from the Heart.
Transform Your LIFE.

Made for Amazing serves as your guide on the journey to create a legacy of success and a life of significance. Filled with convincing portrayals of a musician's life and relationships, this inspiring self-help parable will empower you to seek your own deeper meaning in life and reach your fullest potential. Josh's story and the thought-provoking Questions for Reflection and Discussion will help you to unlock your giftedness, embrace your passion, and discover your authentic leadership purpose.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

1 Entrepreneur in Residence
The Company Lab
Everybody Wiki: Mark Nation
January 08, 2024

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

3 Founders
Made for Amazing Project
Made for Amazing Project
January 01, 2024
The Made for Amazing Project was created to guide people back to the heart of the matter – that life truly matters. We all have a special role in this world, and a specific reason for being placed here at this moment in human history.
Our goal is to encourage people to Believe. To reclaim a spirit of imagination – to dream, develop, grow and innovate. With belief comes hope, love, and a desire to make a difference in the world. These are the steps that lead to an Authentic Life and Leadership Purpose.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

Founder & President
Mark Nation Global
January 01, 2022
Mark Nation is a globally recognized management expert, leadership consultant, executive coach, author, and speaker. He is personally driven to discover what makes individuals, teams, and organizations amazing – those elements which power the heart and soul of people and businesses worldwide.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

Founder & CEO
NATION LEADERSHIP
October 02, 2016
Nation Leadership spans two decades of experience working with individuals, teams, executives and partners in leading organizations around the world. We are laser-focused on inspiring people and organizations to work with more vision, purpose, passion and positive drive in all they do.

Simply put, we help you amplify your personal and business leadership, and outperform the competition. Our proven strategies and techniques have the power to unleash the creative potential and energy inside you, your team and your entire company. These positive impacts can be measured and optimized, from the boardroom to the mailroom and, ultimately, to your clients and shareholders.

We reinforce your transformation efforts in corporate strategy, hiring, team-building, scaled growth, succession planning and client-focused effectiveness. We partner with you to drive impactful analysis, communication and team-building, change management and proactive support.

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Tags: Management, Leadership, Coaching

9 Keynotes
Bionic Leadership: Building Better, Faster, Stronger Organizations in Unprecedented Times
IFTDO
April 22, 2024
We are living in an age of great paradox. Our world is more connected than ever, yet differences still threaten to harm our companies, cultures, and communities. Technological advancements place mass communication at our fingertips, yet our sense of understanding and empathy elude us.

Global health crises have slowed, giving way to increased personal, mental, and emotional challenges. Online content and social media offer us infinite, immediate access, yet we’re often left feeling isolated, left out, or lost. And all the while, time doesn’t wait – it accelerates.

Our increasingly vulnerable, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world is slowly wearing us down and wearing us out. In this hyper-disruptive age, we have but two choices:

1. Give up and let go, or
2. Rebuild and redesign for a better future.

The Bionic Leadership concept allows us the opportunity to reimagine and remodel ourselves, our teams, and our organizations from the inside out. In the process, we can recognize and make good use of our differences, our struggles, and our failures to bring new ideas and initiatives to light. We all have the potential to become better, stronger, and faster than ever before, and the Bionic Leadership framework will help to illuminate the path.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Global Gurus World’s Top 30 Coaches 2024
Global Gurus
January 15, 2024
International research firm, Global Gurus, names Mark Nation the 18th ranked leadership coaching speaker and trainer worldwide.

Mark has been ranked among the top 30 leadership speakers and coaches since 2018, a distinction shared with Tony Robbins, Marshall Goldsmith, Jack Canfield, and John Mattone.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Leveraging the Power of Music to Drive Coaching Success
WBECS Summit 2023-24 by Coaching.com
December 13, 2023
Music is as old as history itself and resides in virtually every living element. Like the wind, or love, you can’t “see” music, but you know it when you feel it. We all share an appreciation for some form of music, which can be as diverse as we are.

Not just for entertainment, music can also be employed as a method to shape authentic leadership purpose and performance. In this session, Mark will share how music serves as one of the most powerful universal metaphors for creating a legacy of success and a life of significance.

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Tags: Coaching, Management, Personal Branding

Global Gurus World’s Top 30 Coaches 2023
Global Gurus
January 28, 2023
International research firm, Global Gurus, named Mark Nation the 19th ranked leadership coaching speaker and trainer worldwide.

Mark has been ranked among the top 30 leadership speakers and coaches since 2018.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Global Gurus World's Top 30 Coaches 2022
Global Gurus
February 01, 2022
International research firm, Global Gurus, announced its ranking of the top leadership coaching speakers and influencers. Mark was rated the 26th best leadership speaker and coach worldwide.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Mark Nation Named to Top 30 Leadership Speakers & Coaches Worldwide
Global Gurus
February 18, 2021
International research firm, Global Gurus, named Mark Nation the 26th ranked leadership coaching speaker and trainer worldwide.

Mark has been ranked among the top 30 leadership speakers and coaches since 2018, a distinction shared with Tony Robbins, Marshall Goldsmith, Jack Canfield, and John Mattone.

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Tags: Coaching, Management, Personal Branding

Mark Nation Ranked 21st Leadership Speaker & Coach Worldwide
Global Gurus
March 06, 2020
International research firm, Global Gurus named Mark to its list of Top 30 leadership speakers, coaches and trainers.

Mark was ranked 21st in 2020 and has been recognized in the Top 30 since 2018.

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Tags: Coaching, Management, Personal Branding

Leading With Authenticity
Rise to the Occasion
March 16, 2019
In this exclusive session, Mark talks with Summit Host, Chelsea Behrens about how we can harness the power of music as a metaphor to drive greater personal and career fulfillment.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

Mark Nation Named One of the World's Top Leadership Speakers & Coaches for 2018
PR Web
November 26, 2018
Bestselling author and leadership expert joins Tony Robbins, Marshall Goldsmith, and Jack Canfield as one of the most influential business coaches and speakers in the world, according to Global Gurus.

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Tags: Coaching, Management, Personal Branding

2 Media Interviews
Global Leadership Executive Mark Nation Appointed to Forbes Coaches Council
Forbes
January 03, 2019
Global leadership executive and management expert, Mark Nation, has been accepted into Forbes Coaches Council, an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Global Gurus recently rated Nation the world's 26th best coaching thought leader and speaker, alongside Marshall Goldsmith, Tony Robbins, and Jack Canfield.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

Authentic Leadership Transformation
Faith Radio
November 27, 2017
Mark discusses his leadership journey as well as key concepts and principles found in his book, Made for Amazing.

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Management

2 Quotes
WE are the Instruments
Book Authority
March 29, 2022

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Tags: Coaching

What is “Destiny”… Really?
Mark Nation Global
March 28, 2020

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Tags: Coaching

1 Speaking Engagement
Keynote Speech Sample Topics
Mark Nation Global
April 14, 2020

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Tags: Careers, Coaching, Personal Branding

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