

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Lozano.
Hi Rick, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
So, how does one become a keynote speaker/author/leadership consultant/singer/songwriter musician?
Well, it starts by falling out of a truck going 40 miles per hour.
Or at least that’s where it began for me!
I was in a pretty bad accident as a kid, and I started playing guitar as part of my recovery. I’m not sure why, but I always loved singing, so I just picked up a guitar and taught myself how to play. Music became a big part of my identity. I played solo and in bands throughout my life and wrote lots of music, but never tried to have a career as a musician.
Fast forward to adulthood… I started a career in leadership and talent development, and after almost 15 years in the industry developing expertise as a facilitator, trainer, and speaker, I had a leader give me advice that changed my life…
“Bring your guitar to work, Rick.”
I had always kept my “personal” and “professional” lives separate, so this sounded a bit absurd, but I did it anyway.
And suddenly, everything changed!
I brought my guitar to work in my team-building workshops and my keynote presentations, and the ideas just kept coming. I found connections between music, leadership, teamwork, and audiences began asking me to come to speak at their organization. I wrote a book tying in some musical themes. Next thing you know, I was getting paid more as a musician than I ever had in my life – by playing music as a speaker!
And loving it!
And the reason it works – music is the source of inspiration and connection. And for me, looking at my work through the lens of a musician allows me to tap into something I love to connect with my audiences. And help people at the same time.
… and bring them up on stage to rock out with me!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I started my own business in 2019, after almost 20 years of success working in technology and financial services in leadership and talent development, I took the leap to work for myself. My main business – keynote speaking.
And then, this little thing called Covid hit.
Suddenly, all my work as a keynote speaker vanished!
And, like so many others, I had to adjust. I went back to my training and leadership development roots and thrived during the Covid era by returning to what I was always great at.
Now, the keynote work is coming back, but training remains a big part of my business and always will. I love that too and don’t have to choose between the two.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I help leaders, teams, and organizations unlock and amplify their talent and potential. Sometimes with a guitar in hand!
In my keynote presentations, I bring a unique mix of fun, creativity, music, high energy, and audience interactivity all while introducing simple frameworks to create positive change.
In my Leadership That Resonates programs, I not only train leaders but give them opportunities to apply their skills in real-life contexts through experiential simulations.
In my Teams that Resonates programs, I work with teams of all levels to help them collaborate, communicate, and leverage their talents and resources.
And I’ve written a book about leadership, Acoustic Leadership: Develop A Leadership Culture That Resonates, that people actually enjoy reading! (Yes, there is a musical element involved!)
I get to do the work I love and help people along the way. I really do have the best job in the world.
And I still perform, write and record music. And always will.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was the class clown, talkative, and nerdy. The odd mix of honors student who was always in trouble. Not serious trouble, but a little mischievous and someone who loved challenging authority.
Which was a slight problem as my mother was the school vice principal!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ricklozano.com
- Instagram: @ricklozanoamplify
- Twitter: @rick_lozano
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLR4Q28PEWGaxC0NGj8ACw