Podcast Summary: Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Episode Title: Confidence Classic: The Art of CONNECTION (Why Serving First Changes Everything) with Jordan Montgomery
Air Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Heather Monahan
Guest: Jordan Montgomery
Overview
In this insightful episode, Heather Monahan is joined once again by performance coach and keynote speaker Jordan Montgomery. The discussion centers around the “art of connection” and how serving others first—without expectation—creates exponential opportunity, deepens relationships, and accelerates personal and professional growth. Heather and Jordan share actionable strategies, real-life stories, and a transparent look into their own friendship and networks. The tone is motivating, candid, and focused on generosity as the foundation of real confidence and career advancement.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
The Power of Connection & Proximity
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Connecting People & Opportunities (00:46, 20:59, 24:18, 25:33)
- “Connecting people are connected people. Like, if you want to get more connected, start connecting. And I think you connect people to people. I also think you connect people to opportunities.”
— Jordan Montgomery [00:46] - Both Heather and Jordan stress that the most successful people prioritize connecting others and become natural hubs in their networks.
- “Connecting people are connected people. Like, if you want to get more connected, start connecting. And I think you connect people to people. I also think you connect people to opportunities.”
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The Transformative Power of Events (03:03, 04:33)
- Heather shares her experience attending a John Maxwell event, reinforcing how important it is to be physically present with inspiring people:
- “Power and proximity is a real thing. It can change your life and the people you surround yourself with ... even for an event can be game-changing.”
— Heather Monahan [04:33]
- “Power and proximity is a real thing. It can change your life and the people you surround yourself with ... even for an event can be game-changing.”
- Heather shares her experience attending a John Maxwell event, reinforcing how important it is to be physically present with inspiring people:
Leading with Service Without Expectation
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Serving First—Motives Matter (15:00-16:03)
- “Always comes back tenfold. But I think if you expect it to come back tenfold, it changes everything ... If you're serving to get something in return, it's not serving.”
— Jordan Montgomery [15:00] - Heather and Jordan agree: show up and serve with hope, not expectation.
- “Always comes back tenfold. But I think if you expect it to come back tenfold, it changes everything ... If you're serving to get something in return, it's not serving.”
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Specificity & Intentionality in Service (16:03-18:41)
- “Get specific and I want to help you in these areas… specificity and then slowing it down. Help somebody to feel like, wow, Heather is being genuine…”
— Jordan Montgomery [16:03] - Jordan shares how changing from vague offers (“let me know how I can help”) to specific, genuine offers made all the difference in building real trust and impact.
- “Get specific and I want to help you in these areas… specificity and then slowing it down. Help somebody to feel like, wow, Heather is being genuine…”
Practical Steps for Connection
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Three Keys: Promote, Connect, Serve (20:59, 24:18)
- Jordan breaks down Heather’s unique value:
- Promote: Advocate and celebrate others online and offline.
- Connect: Constantly introduce people and link them to opportunities.
- Serve: Help out without expecting a transaction.
- “If you do those three things…you wake up in a world where you’ve created so much impact, but you’ve also created a ton of opportunity and you have all these relationships.”
— Jordan Montgomery [21:58]
- Jordan breaks down Heather’s unique value:
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Systematize Generosity (24:18)
- Make time to promote, connect, and serve every week—literally schedule reminders to “be intentional and thoughtful about it.”
— Heather Monahan [24:18]
- Make time to promote, connect, and serve every week—literally schedule reminders to “be intentional and thoughtful about it.”
Stories that Illustrate Serving First
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Relationships That Boomerang (11:14–15:00)
- Heather recounts real-world examples: doing underpaid speaking gigs, showing up for small events, or stepping in for people in a pinch have all led to unexpected, massive new opportunities years later.
- “You never know when they’re going to open that next door or how they’re going to pay it forward.”
— Heather Monahan [14:15]
- “You never know when they’re going to open that next door or how they’re going to pay it forward.”
- Heather recounts real-world examples: doing underpaid speaking gigs, showing up for small events, or stepping in for people in a pinch have all led to unexpected, massive new opportunities years later.
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Compliments & Homework as Connection Tools (18:41)
- “Always lead with an honest compliment and do your homework ahead of time on people so you can see the ways that you could benefit them…”
— Heather Monahan [19:54]
- “Always lead with an honest compliment and do your homework ahead of time on people so you can see the ways that you could benefit them…”
The Value of Community and High-Caliber Circles
- Who You Spend Time With Matters (03:03, 27:52)
- Heather emphasizes the life-changing effect of being around extraordinary, generous, “high-caliber” people who make you want to become more.
- “It isn’t just about the headlining personality. It’s about being around really high caliber great people who inspire you to go for more, who show you what’s possible for you…”
— Heather Monahan [27:52]
- “It isn’t just about the headlining personality. It’s about being around really high caliber great people who inspire you to go for more, who show you what’s possible for you…”
- Heather emphasizes the life-changing effect of being around extraordinary, generous, “high-caliber” people who make you want to become more.
Highlight: Upcoming High-Impact Leadership Event
- A Day with John Gordon and Pat Lencioni (25:33)
- Jordan describes an exclusive event uniting select leaders (CEOs, young professionals, athletes) for growth, not just another conference, but a true “gathering” focused on connection, impact, and values.
- For more: adaywithjohnandpat.com [25:33]
- Jordan describes an exclusive event uniting select leaders (CEOs, young professionals, athletes) for growth, not just another conference, but a true “gathering” focused on connection, impact, and values.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
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“Connecting people are connected people. Like, if you want to get more connected, start connecting.”
— Jordan Montgomery [00:46, 21:58] -
“Power and proximity is a real thing. It can change your life…also on who you choose to go hang with, even for an event, can be game-changing.”
— Heather Monahan [04:33] -
“If you’re serving to get something in return, it’s not serving.”
— Jordan Montgomery [15:00] -
“Systemize it. Before you jump on the Zoom, do your homework…understand who you already have in connection together and how you could add value in some other way.”
— Heather Monahan [24:18] -
“You promote, you connect and you serve ... you wake up in a world where you’ve created so much impact ... and you have all these relationships.”
— Jordan Montgomery [21:58] -
“The true test of somebody’s character is how they treat people who can’t do anything for them.”
— Jordan Montgomery [28:46]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- (00:46) Jordan on Connection and Opportunity
- (04:33) Heather's Experience at the Maxwell Leadership Event
- (11:14–15:00) Heather’s Stories: How Serving First Pays Off Unexpectedly
- (15:00–16:03) Being Hopeful vs. Expectant in Service
- (16:03–18:41) Getting Specific in Helping Others
- (20:59, 24:18) Jordan’s “Promote, Connect, Serve” Framework
- (24:18–25:33) How to Be Intentional with Action Steps
- (25:33) A Day with John & Pat Event Preview
- (28:46–30:52) Jordan’s Tribute: True Generosity and Character
Takeaways & Action Steps
- Build Influence by Serving First: Lead with value, service, and honesty—without transactional expectations.
- Be Specific in Offers to Help: Replace generalities with sincere, tailored offers.
- Schedule Time for Generosity: Promote, connect, and serve on a regular basis—intentionality matters.
- Invest in Community: Seek out high-integrity circles and commit to being a positive force within them.
- Trust in the Ripple Effect: Opportunities often arise from unexpected places and past seeds of service.
- Do Your Homework: Know whom you’re reaching out to, offer honest compliments, and look for ways to be genuinely helpful.
This episode is a motivational and practical masterclass in building confidence and opportunity by fostering strong connections and authentically serving others. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking more meaningful relationships, influence, and growth in life and business.