We welcome Paul Comfort of Modaxo and Transit Unplugged to this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence where he shares stories from his experiences running some of the world’s largest transportation and transportation technology organizations through potential powder-keg situations and refocused on new ‘north stars’ of safety, efficiency, reliability, and world-class customer service.



In this episode you will learn:
How Paul, the newly appointed head of the Maryland Transit Administration, faced a crisis during the Baltimore riots, took immediate action, implemented new standards, demanded accountability, and gained the respect of the senior leadership team.
The difference between skills and abilities, highlighting the successful hire of a director of bus operations who had transferable skills and knowledge from a different background.
The favorite parts of Paul’s work– the significance of creating a fun and engaging environment for the team, such as organizing MTA Day at the Orioles and bus rodeos.



24 Hour Challenge: 

Sit down and take an inventory of yourself. Analyze: 1) what you’re good at (what are your skills?) and 2) what do you enjoy/what are your passions? Focus on where they intersect: your strengths, rather than focusing on improving your weaknesses.



About Paul Comfort:

Paul Comfort serves as SVP and Chief Customer Officer for Modaxo Americas, one of the world’s largest transportation technology companies, and is host of the industry public transportation podcast, Transit Unplugged, heard in over 100 countries, and the new YouTube sensation Transit Unplugged TV show. Paul has authored three Amazon #1 bestselling books: “Public Transportation– From the Tom Thumb Railroad to Hyperloop and Beyond” and 2022’s “Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation”.  His most recent bestseller is a cookbook – “Comfort Food”-- featuring recipes, stories, and photos from over 30 top public transportation leaders around the world. Paul also serves as Executive Director of the North American Transit Alliance. 

Mr. Comfort is an attorney, popular keynote speaker, and the former CEO of one of America’s largest transit systems, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in Baltimore. He has also served as an elected County Commissioner and County Administrator for two Maryland counties.

Mr. Comfort is the recipient of the U.S.A’s top individual transportation honor: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) “President’s Award”.



You can connect with Paul in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcomfort/
Website: https://www.futureofpublictransportation.com/
Podcast: https://transitunplugged.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged/featured



You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
Twitter: @LauraSicola
Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/
Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We welcome Paul Comfort of Modaxo and Transit Unplugged to this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence where he shares stories from his experiences running some of the world’s largest transportation and transportation technology organizations through potential powder-keg situations and refocused on new ‘north stars’ of safety, efficiency, reliability, and world-class customer service.
 
In this episode you will learn:
<ul>
<li>How Paul, the newly appointed head of the Maryland Transit Administration, faced a crisis during the Baltimore riots, took immediate action, implemented new standards, demanded accountability, and gained the respect of the senior leadership team.</li>
<li>The difference between skills and abilities, highlighting the successful hire of a director of bus operations who had transferable skills and knowledge from a different background.</li>
<li>The favorite parts of Paul’s work– the significance of creating a fun and engaging environment for the team, such as organizing MTA Day at the Orioles and bus rodeos.</li>
</ul>
 
24 Hour Challenge: 
Sit down and take an inventory of yourself. Analyze: 1) what you’re good at (what are your skills?) and 2) what do you enjoy/what are your passions? Focus on where they intersect: your strengths, rather than focusing on improving your weaknesses.
 
About Paul Comfort:
Paul Comfort serves as SVP and Chief Customer Officer for Modaxo Americas, one of the world’s largest transportation technology companies, and is host of the industry public transportation podcast, Transit Unplugged, heard in over 100 countries, and the new YouTube sensation Transit Unplugged TV show. Paul has authored three Amazon #1 bestselling books: “Public Transportation– From the Tom Thumb Railroad to Hyperloop and Beyond” and 2022’s “Conversations on Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation”.  His most recent bestseller is a cookbook – “Comfort Food”-- featuring recipes, stories, and photos from over 30 top public transportation leaders around the world. Paul also serves as Executive Director of the North American Transit Alliance. 
Mr. Comfort is an attorney, popular keynote speaker, and the former CEO of one of America’s largest transit systems, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in Baltimore. He has also served as an elected County Commissioner and County Administrator for two Maryland counties.
Mr. Comfort is the recipient of the U.S.A’s top individual transportation honor: The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) “President’s Award”.
 
You can connect with Paul in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcomfort/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcomfort/</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.futureofpublictransportation.com/">https://www.futureofpublictransportation.com/</a></li>
<li>Podcast: <a href="https://transitunplugged.com/">https://transitunplugged.com/</a></li>
<li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged/featured">https://www.youtube.com/@transitunplugged/featured</a></li>
</ul>
 
You can connect with Dr. Laura Sicola in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola</li>
<li>LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/</li>
<li>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions</li>
<li>Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions</li>
<li>Twitter: @LauraSicola</li>
<li>Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions</li>
<li>Website: https://vocalimpactproductions.com/</li>
<li>Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today</li>
</ul>
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you speak, do you want to inspire others and be recognized as a true leader? Do you want to feel more confident, have greater influence, and get bigger results? This is the show for executives, business owners and leaders who need to command the room, connect with their audience and close the deal.

Join host Dr. Laura Sicola, communication and influence expert, as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders, who reveal the importance of strong communication skills in their success and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way. You’ll gain insights into confident public speaking, conflict management, executive presence, and more!

For more information, visit https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com 

To book Laura as a guest or speaker email info@vocalimpactproductions.com

Speaking to Influence

When you speak, do you want to inspire others and be recognized as a true leader? Do you want to feel more confident, have greater influence, and get bigger results? This is the show for executives, business owners and leaders who need to command the room, connect with their audience and close the deal. Join host Dr. Laura Sicola, communication and influence expert, as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders, who reveal the importance of strong communication skills in their success and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way. You’ll gain insights into confident public speaking, conflict management, executive presence, and more! For more information, visit https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com  To book Laura as a guest or speaker email info@laurasicola.com

When you speak, do you want to inspire others and be recognized as a true leader? Do you want to feel more confident, have greater influence, and get bigger results? This is the show for executives, business owners and leaders who need to command the room, connect with their audience and close the deal. Join host Dr. Laura Sicola, communication and influence expert, as she interviews world-class business and industry leaders, who reveal the importance of strong communication skills in their success and the (sometimes hard) lessons they learned along the way. You’ll gain insights into confident public speaking, conflict management, executive presence, and more! For more information, visit https://www.speakingtoinfluence.com  To book Laura as a guest or speaker email info@laurasicola.com

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