August Monthly Dinner Presenter - Garry Priam

Garry Priam is a professional speaker, organizational leadership and team development specialist, and Italian author. His keynote speeches, workshops, and seminars have helped companies in Canada, The United States, and Europe. His excellent quality, informative content and fantastic energy programs are well researched and delivered in a down to earth style that are always informative and memorable.

Garry has a Computer Science Degree from the University of Manitoba and a Certification in Advanced Project Management from Langara College in Vancouver. Prior to starting his company, Mossa International Incorporated, Garry played professional basketball in Europe and lived in Italy for 9 years before moving to Vancouver. 

He is the Chair – Bachelor of Business Administration – Project Management Specialization Advisory Panel at Yorkville University (Vancouver Campus) and an Adjunct Contract Instructor in the MBA program at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT – Vancouver Campus).

Garry helps guide companies and their people to success by strengthening operations, enhancing leadership, and building winning teams by using analogies from his professional playing days on how to win in the corporate world as teams do on the court.

 

Q&A with Garry Priam

What is the achievement you are the proudest of in your career?

I would say changing career paths. I graduated with a computer science degree and worked in the field for a few years and realized that I wanted to help inspire people, work with leaders, teams and coach people in organizations to become better and more effective, productive and cohesive.

What life lessons did you take from your career as a professional athlete?

I learned that you can be a leader through your actions and with your voice. Working hard day in and day out, overcoming injuries when your mind and body say they can’t go any further and pushing past those limits. Being patient and realizing that we all have our strengths and weaknesses and that everyone on a team is important and brings something that adds to the overall unique DNA of the squad.

What did you enjoy and/or dislike the most when you lived in Italy for 9 years?

Since I was little there was always something inside me calling me to Italy.  I love the Italian culture and became fluent in the language. I met amazing people, visited breathtaking places, ate delicious food and vino. One of the things that was hard to get used to was being extremely patient while I was adapting to the Italian culture and not trying to incorporate our North American thinking and nuances of our way of life into theirs.

How do you handle stress?

I’m a very calm individual for the most part and I know that I can get things accomplished by breaking up the problem into smaller pieces instead of trying to take on everything at once. I am at peace when I’m by the ocean as it’s my place to unwind, unplug, re-energize and relax.

What one book has inspired you or one that you have recommended most?

Shawshank Redemption Different Seasons by Stephen King. The story inspires me that there is always hope no matter the circumstances, that you can make the best of almost any situation and that you can overcome insurmountable odds.

Can you think of any failure that later set you up for success?

I was recruited and offered scholarships by numerous Universities and after choosing a university I was later cut by the coach who didn’t see me working out with some of the other players over the summer as I sign that I wasn’t committed to being successful even though I was working out with others. This setback lit a fire inside me that made me work harder than ever and helped me to play professional basketball in Europe and that passion still burns within me today.

 

Thank you Garry for taking the time to answer our questions and allowing us to get to know you better! We are looking forward your presentation and learning more about Managing Customer Service.