TESTIMONIALS
LEADERSHIP IS EXPERIENCED BY OTHER PEOPLE.
The value of the work is ultimately reflected in what people carry away from it.
Leadership education, speaking, facilitation, and advisory work can be described in many ways. The more meaningful measure is how the experience is understood by the people who participated in it.
Across leadership programs, professional education, speaking engagements, certification preparation, and years of professional relationships, participants have shared how the work influenced their understanding, confidence, judgment, and practice.
Their experiences provide a perspective Michael cannot provide for himself.
The reflections shared here represent some of those experiences—in their voices, from their perspectives, and across different parts of the work.
EXPERIENCES ACROSS THE WORK
Different settings. Different needs. Different perspectives on the experience.
The work has taken many forms—from leadership conversations and professional education to speaking engagements, certification preparation, and California employment-law instruction.
The following reflections represent different ways people have experienced that work.
Leadership & Ethical Decision-Making
Rob Holliday
Director of Marketing & Communications, MA Youth Soccer Association
[edited for clarity]
“I enjoyed observing your interactions with the group and was impressed by the candor and connectivity you were able to sustain... I took a lot from the course and your teaching, particularly with regard to the rationale and process for ethical decision-making.”
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Speaking & Facilitation
Larry Piazza, SHRM-SCP
[edited for clarity]
“To present that much material—each module could have taken several days alone—in such a short amount of time was nothing short of amazing. Your subject-matter expertise and real-life experience, the attendee participation, and your storytelling style were incredible.”
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California Employment-Law Expertise
John Seivert, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS, PMA-CPT
Owner, Body Logic Physical Therapy, Grass Valley, CA
[edited for clarity]
“Michael Letizia, the presenter, was able to deliver a great amount of material in a concise and effective manner. The seminar was actually enjoyable, and he was very effective in explaining some confusing issues in layman’s terms.”
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Professional Education / SHRM
Certification
Valerie Rue, MA, DSL
[edited for clarity]
“I had the privilege of taking a SHRM Exam Prep course with you a couple months ago... your class absolutely helped me PASS my exam! I am officially a Senior Certified Professional now, thanks to your help and wisdom!”
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WHAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IN THE WORK
Different voices describe different experiences—but certain themes appear again and again.
Across the reflections shared over time, people describe more than subject-matter knowledge. They describe how the work is experienced: whether complex ideas become clearer, whether learning connects to real situations, whether people are invited into the conversation, and whether they leave better prepared to apply what they have examined.
CLARITY
Complex ideas and requirements become easier to understand without losing their substance.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Concepts are connected to real decisions, workplace situations, and responsibilities.
ENGAGEMENT
Learning becomes participatory through discussion, questions, stories, and shared examination.
CONFIDENCE
Participants describe feeling better prepared to use what they have learned.
SUBJECT-MATTER DEPTH
Experience and technical knowledge provide context beyond the material itself.
CONNECTION & TRUST
People describe an environment where candor, participation, respect, and professional relationships can develop.
The subject may change.
The recurring experience is learning that can be understood, examined, and carried into practice.
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MORE VOICES. MORE PERSPECTIVES.
Some experiences are measured in a program or presentation. Others reveal their value over years.
Not every meaningful professional experience happens in a classroom or during a formal engagement.
Across years of leadership, professional service, mentoring, collaboration, and shared work, people have also reflected on the relationships, encouragement, perspective, and example they experienced along the way.
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Mentorship & Professional Development
Chris Minium, Regional Team Lead, CompuCom Systems Inc.
[edited for clarity]
“At the beginning of my career, I had the opportunity to work with Mike Letizia. During the two to three years we worked together, I was not only provided guidance on HR-related processes, but Mike really made a point to make sure I understood them and how they related to the issues we encountered in the workplace. Mike really acted more like a mentor; he shared his knowledge and provided positive influence and guidance in several aspects of my career. Very few people have had as much of a positive impact on my professional career as Mike has, and it was a great pleasure to have had the chance to work together.”
Leadership Influence / Long-Term Development
Yolanda Maldonado, HR Generalist
[edited for clarity]
“I would not be where I’m at today, personally or professionally, without the mentorship you have given me!”
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Professional Service & Collaboration
Monique Ramos, Vice President, Membership Director, San Joaquin SHRM
[edited for clarity]
“I have had the honor of working on the executive board for the San Joaquin SHRM with Mike for many years now, and I can honestly say he is my go-to person. It may seem like the simplest thing or the most complex, and he always has the answer for me... If I don’t have the answer, the first call I make is to Mike.”
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SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
If you have participated in Michael's work, your perspective is part of the story too.
If you have attended a program, participated in a leadership experience, worked with Michael professionally, or been part of a shared professional journey, you are invited to share your experience.
Your reflection may help others understand what it is like to engage this work from the perspective of someone who has experienced it firsthand.
Share what stood out, what stayed with you, or what the experience helped you understand or do differently.