What are people saying
about Dave Oakes?
See what clients have to say.
Mike G.
“2023 has been a year of dramatic changes and improvements for SGWS. We ultimately had the best year in recent memory in many regards. Thank you for your guidance and motivation to help achieve this. Cheers to a happy new year and an even better 2024!”
Matt T., TX
“You have done amazing things for people Dave. You help people find their self worth. To fix things, you need to start with yourself first.”
Brad B ., TX
"Dave’s Servant Leadership class was very thought-provoking and has given me a new perspective on leadership. It has given me and our leadership team the tools to effectively communicate and build trust with each other.”
Clif L., TX
"I found Dave’s Servant Leadership in 7 Steps program to be very engaging and ultimately encouraged deep reflection on my leadership capabilities and tactics. I gleaned some very good information and strategies from that program and have successfully put them to use within my own teams to increase productivity and worker satisfaction.”
Jerry J., TX
"After 7 months in Dave’s Servant Leadership Program, I finally see the big picture of management and leadership. It’s not about me anymore, it’s about my folks. Well worth the time."
Andy D., LA
"During the SL7 program, I learned to coach my subordinates once a month to help them with challenges, and to hold them accountable for their goals in the future. Dave taught us the Start, Stop and Continue method. What would you like to start doing professionally that you haven’t been doing, what should you stop doing that isn’t working and what do you want to continue that is successful. Amazing results."
Tom A., OH
"What a great journey the “Servant Leadership In 7 Steps” was. I learned what servant leadership is and the inverted the pyramid, putting people at the top and me on the bottom. This helps them become more than just employees. People don’t leave for more money, they leave because they don’t like the leadership…who they work for."
Billy P., IN
"I learned about how to build individual and team trust, nothing good happens in an organization without Trust."
T. Frost, FL
“Your ability to relate with both blue and white collar environments make you the 'total package'.”
Sherry S., KS
“I feel better and more comfortable with what I need to accomplish. My faculty needs to hear your message. This is the third time I have heard you speak.”
Jerry B., KS
“Your information helped me to focus more, relax a little more and keep to my main goals.”
Teri G., OH
“The Branding Seminar is the most interesting workshop I have ever attended,”
Missy W., OH
“Wonderful-thank you for making me talk about myself and helping me build and brand myself,”
Brian B., OH
“The Personal Branding Seminar is the only Seminar I have attended that I was engaged the entire time,”
Shawn C., NYC
“I wanted to let you know that I really appreciate how you presented the material during the seminar. There wasn’t a moment that I didn’t feel engaged in the conversation.”
Sue C., ESPN
“We’re very pleased with the end result and you should be too! Thank you so much again for taking the time to work with our group!”
Dominique C., TX
“Thank you for a wonderful webinar. I enjoy listening to you speak. You are definitely captivating.”
Jason W., FL
“I have been to many leadership classes in my career and you are the best at working the room, building trust and getting the folks involved.”
Griz C., NYC
“Yesterday we had a course in Raleigh on communicating. Our trainer, David Oakes was fantastic! He gave us an assignment to let our managers know the top two things that we got out of the course and that we would focus on to perform our jobs better.”
Maddi K., IN
“David was the best trainer I’ve ever experienced. He kept everyone’s attention. He was engaging, funny and interesting. He had relevant stories and examples. I would definitely have him return.”
Dave W., WA
“Your session was great, right on point, informative, interactive, interesting and done with the right amount of humor, thanks.”
Walter L., GA
“Finally, got a chance to use the DVD at a training with Hunter Education Instructors. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We are developing an online training course for new instructors with South GA Regional Career College and planning to incorporate your public speaking training into that online course. Thanks for a great resource!”
Fred K., LA
“The workshop evaluations and verbal feedback from our instructors regarding your presentations were very positive. Your presentations were the favorite part of the workshop for the participants.”
John S., LA
“I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Presentation Workshop. That was an awesome learning experience for us all! That’s all anyone could talk about today at the RSO training. Not one single person had a negative comment about the presentation workshop…in fact; everyone recounted some of the presentations and discussed each others strong and weak attributes, and offered more details or advice to improve on our public speaking.”
Jackie N., TN
“Your talk on ‘Customer Service’ was interesting and entertaining. It was a perfect lead off for the marketing seminar that followed”
Jerry B., ESPN
“I have never been as energized as I was after attending the “Public Speaking Without Fear and Anxiety” seminar. You gave me the confidence and tools to work on the skill.”
Jean L., D.C.
“Thank you for presenting such a wonderful seminar. It was full of great ideas on managing one’s time and meeting deadlines. We are looking forward to your next topic.”
Dale J. , VA
“The most amazing aspect of the ‘Public Speaking Without Fear and Anxiety’ seminar was the team building bond you felt with the other attendees. What a confidence boost this was!”
Lynda V., PA
“May I just say how thoroughly I enjoyed today’s seminar, the energy you encourage us to share is wonderful. I particularly like the concept of “model the behavior you want your employees to possess”.
Wayne D., KS
“I highly recommend your Presentation Skills workshop for any department staffer or volunteer that is uncomfortable with speaking in public. It is money well spent.”
Larry H., S.C.
“After years of Seminars, this is the best I have ever attended. Great usable information.”
Laura D., FL
“You were able to keep everyone’s attention so well and provided them with such valuable information.”
Dave C., D.C.
“You did a fantastic job leading our seasoned management team. You handled the group with confidence and poise.”
