Last month in Phoenix, I had the honor of receiving my Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) certification medal at the National Speakers Association’s annual conference. It was a proud, reflective, and slightly surreal moment — and not just because they handed me a literal gold medal.
The CSP is the highest earned designation in the speaking industry, and it represents a lot: hundreds of stages, thousands of hours, dozens of glowing client reviews… and yes, a lot of paperwork. 😅 But more than that, it represents a journey — one filled with growth, gratitude, and some incredible humans who helped me every step of the way.
This blog isn’t just about the designation itself (though I’ll explain what it is and why it matters). It’s about the three biggest lessons I’ve learned on the road to earning it — lessons that apply no matter what industry you’re in, what goals you’re chasing, or where you are on your own path to mastery.
What Is the CSP — and Why Does It Matter?
CSP stands for Certified Speaking Professional, and it’s awarded by the National Speakers Association to recognize speakers who meet the highest standards of excellence, consistency, and professionalism. Fewer than 17% of speakers worldwide hold the designation — around 600 people total.
To earn the CSP, you have to:
- Deliver a high volume of paid presentations over a multi-year period
- Submit detailed documentation of your work and income
- Receive outstanding evaluations from dozens of clients
- Pass a rigorous review by a committee of industry peers
Like many professional certifications, the CSP designation is not a one-and-done process. To maintain it, speakers must renew every five years by completing continuing education and demonstrating ongoing engagement in the speaking community.
That includes earning 24 education credits through NSA and Global Speakers Federation events — like Influence, Thrive, and the CSP/CPAE Summit — as well as participating in chapter meetings, workshops, and trainings. CSPs must also complete NSA’s renewal coursework and submit updated documentation. In other words, the learning never stops — and that’s exactly the point.
The CSP designation matters because it signals to prospective clients that you’re a proven professional — someone who consistently delivers excellence on and off the stage. It’s a mark of credibility that can help elevate your career, open new doors, and set you apart in a competitive industry.
The CSP certification isn’t about being flashy on stage or having one great keynote. It’s about consistently delivering an exceptional experience for clients and audiences — before, during, and after the event.
For me, earning the CSP wasn’t just a milestone. It was a a moment to pause and reflect on how far I’ve come — and more importantly, where I want to go next.
Lesson 1: Your Environment Shapes Your Trajectory
We’ve all heard that quote attributed to Jim Rohn: You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. I’ve found it to be overwhelmingly true.
Over the past decade, I’ve learned that if you want to grow — in any field — you have to surround yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, and hold you accountable. If you want to be the best, be friends with the best.
For me, that meant building real friendships with other speakers who had earned — or were working toward — their CSP certification. Even my second-in-command found value in connecting with others who support keynote speakers day-to-day.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from Hall of Fame speakers like Shep Hyken (my SUPER AMAZING Show cohost!), Rory Vaden, and Crystal Washington — people who answered my questions long before I had any clue what I was doing.
I’ve formed friendships with incredible speakers like Erin King, Neen James, and Kim Becking, who not only lift me up but raise the bar every time they step on stage.
And when I’m balancing business travel with the chaos of having two young kids at home, I’m beyond grateful for my “Super Mom” speaker friends like Henna Pryor, Shama Hyder, and Blake Morgan — always ready with encouragement, advice, or a way-too-long voice memo.
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: Growth isn’t accidental. It’s environmental.
Lesson 2: Generosity Builds Great Relationships
Some of the strongest relationships in my career started with a single kind message. A note of encouragement. An offer to help. A “Hey, you crushed that keynote!” text.
I always say that the fastest way to get in a room with anyone is to be the kind of person they want in the room. And the easiest way to build that reputation? Generosity.
pend time each week looking for people in your network (even if they’re second- or third-degree connections!) to congratulate on their wins. Find others you can be a resource for. It takes a village… don’t forget to be a good villager!
Lesson 3: Celebrate, But Don’t Settle
The CSP certification was a milestone — and a meaningful one. But it’s not the finish line. It’s just a marker on the path.
Whatever your “next big thing” is — a promotion, a certification, a business goal — celebrate it fully… but don’t stop there. Use it as a launchpad, not a landing.
For me, that means continuing to refine my keynote, pushing myself to deliver more impact with every audience I serve, and exploring what a second book could look like in the not-so-distant future. The pursuit of growth never really ends — it just evolves.
What’s the next version of growth you’re chasing — one year, five years, ten years from now? And what will it take to get there?
Final Thoughts
I’m honored to be part of the CSP community. But more than anything, I’m grateful — for the clients who trusted me, the peers who mentored me, and the friends who reminded me to keep showing up and getting better.
This journey has reinforced a truth I’ll keep coming back to, in business and in life:
If you want to be the best, surround yourself with the best.
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