Garrison Wynn
Garrison Wynn is a keynote speaker, business advisor, and professional stand-up comedian with experience as a Fortune 500 leader. His work blends comic timing with research and business insights, and he has spoken for major organizations including American Express, Wells Fargo, Oracle, and NASA. He is the author of The Real Truth About Success and The Cowbell Principle, and he has contributed to outlets such as The Washington Post, Forbes, and Inc.
This conversation is part of the Expert’s Academy interview series.
About the Conversation
The conversation focuses on speaking with presence and preparing like a professional. Wynn talks about what to do before going on stage, how to reduce nerves, and how to use comedy without losing authority. He frames preparation as the difference between hoping you perform well and knowing you will.
The interview also moves into workplace performance and the skills that matter in modern organizations. Wynn argues for playing to strengths rather than trying to fix every weakness and connects that mindset to confidence, charisma, and results. He also touches on body language, presence, and the importance of separating opinions from facts when communicating under pressure.
There is also a surprising thread about how Wynn became known as the “Father of the Video Game,” which adds color to the conversation and reinforces a broader point about career paths and unexpected opportunities.
Key Themes
- Preparing for speaking engagements
- Using comedy with intention
- Strengths-based performance
- Presence, body language, and clarity
Highlighted Quote
“The most successful people in the world took advantage of their advantages and capitalized on it. They created an unfair playing field and set themselves up in lopsided battles that they can win.”
Selected Notes
- What to do right before stepping on stage
- How to use comedy without sacrificing credibility
- Reducing nerves through preparation and structure
- Why strengths produce better results than weakness-chasing
- The difference between opinions and facts in communication
Recording
Why It’s Included
This conversation is preserved for its practical approach to performance. It combines speaking mechanics with a clear philosophy on strengths and advantage, and it stays focused on what actually improves presence in the moments that matter.
