Mike Figliuolo, is the founder and managing director of thoughtLEADERS, LLC, a professional services firm specializing in leadership development. He's helped thousands of leaders at the world's most recognized companies learn to communicate more clearly, concisely, and convincingly. Mike has taught these approaches across industries, including pharmaceuticals, financial services, consumer goods, professional services, high tech, and healthcare. He is the author of One Piece of Paper (Jossey-Bass) and Lead Inside the Box (Career Press), and a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, and blogger. Mike is an honor graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the U.S. Army as an armor officer. Before founding his own company, he was a consultant at McKinsey & Co. and an executive at CapitalOne and Scotts Miracle-Gro.

Scott A. Merriman, Ph.D., is a part-time instructor of history at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, MD.