About John

PROFESSIONALLY

Business Person

Founder of the Powers of Motivation Institute in 1988.  Raised three million dollars for his Broadway musical production.  Has coordinated the activities of various financial, sales and marketing staffs and unions representing such personnel as actors, musicians and stage hands.

Communicator

Holds a Ph.D. in Communications from Northwestern University. Has performed (and written) two one-man shows and two Emmy Award winning television specials. He has hosted his own radio and television shows and has been a guest on thousands of radio and television shows including Oprah and Today.  John has been a professional speaker for over twenty years and has shared the dais with such people as George Bush, Ken Burns, Betty Friedan, Rudy Giuliani, Smokey Robinson and Muhammad Ali.

Humorist

He has performed stand-up comedy at various venues throughout the nation.  Humor is also a major ingredient in all of his writings, performing work and presentations.

Author

John has written five books, a Broadway musical, two one-man shows (he was also the performer), and two Emmy Award winning television specials.

A Creator of Takeaway Ideas

As a former teacher, John knows the importance of providing practical information that members of his audience can use immediately to enrich their lives and the lives of those around them.  He has taught at all levels of academia…elementary, junior high and college including many years as a professor of speech & performing arts at Northeastern Illinois University.  In addition, John has created and hosted numerous educational specials for PBS.  Dr. Powers has also been the keynote speaker for many local, state and national educational organizations.

Philosopher

According to John Powers…

“There is a first time and a last time for everything.”

“As leaders, through our words and actions, we are teaching all the time even when we don’t want to.”

“Each of us is a rock that sends ripples through generations.”

PERSONALLY

  • John Powers was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago so, yes, he has murdered people.
  • When he was four years-old, some other kids tied him to a tree.  Two years later, his parents went looking for him.  Three years later, they untied him.
  • As a young person, he had few friends, was a lousy student and a horrible athlete.
  • His father had a lot of dough.  He was a bread truck driver.
  • Powers graduated in the bottom three percent of his high school class.
  • As an adult, Powers has a strong Midwestern work ethic.  Reluctantly.
  • He is married to JaNelle and they have two daughters who have taught them everything.
  • He plays the banjo.  Sometimes he wins.  Sometimes he loses.