testimonials

"Over 20 years ago, I had the privilege of learning under Tom Orlando while working as the Sales Manager at a local Harley-Davidson dealership. Tom introduced me to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and the principles he taught became a foundation for the leader I am today. His mentorship was more than just a one-time training—it sparked a lasting paradigm shift that I’ve carried through my entire career.

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I’ve since attended follow-up sessions led by Tom and stayed in touch over the years. His guidance helped shape my approach to leadership, integrity, and growth. Today, as the owner of a successful Yamaha, Triumph, and Royal Enfield dealership, I can confidently say that part of my success is thanks to the influence Tom had on me early in my journey.

His commitment to developing people is real, lasting, and powerful. I’m grateful for the role he’s played in my life, both professionally and personally."

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— Keith McCowin

Motozilli Powersports

Yamaha, Triumph & Royal Enfield

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"I wanted to take some time to write about my former leader Tom Orlando. I had the absolute pleasure of working on Tom's team. Tom had an amazing approach to leadership. I feel I have a unique perspective, due to me joining Tom's team at the ground level but having an extensive background in leadership. When I joined Tom's team I would even say I came in  with a kriticking eye. I never dreamed joining his team as a ground level employee would give me such a master class in leadership. 

 

Tom in his natural state is a teacher, a coach, an inspirational speaker, and a sounding board. His first intention is to help people be the best version of themselves. He does this in many ways. 

 

1. He hires great talent and leaders. He does an amazing job understanding he can teach anyone the ability to do the job. He needs the right people that have the right integrity, work ethic, drive, and humbleness. He is a master at identifying talent. 

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2. He creates an environment that is safe to make a mistake. While not allowing the opportunity to grow from the mistake to pass by. Like a coach he has a great feel for when someone needs to be encouraged and given positive energy, and he understands when it is a moment for a hard conversation. While the conversation can be difficult he will ensure it is inspiring as well. 

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3. He creates a team and a leadership group that is free of drama. If people are not working well together they sit down as a group and figure it out. The hard conversation is put first for the protection of the team and the business. He does not allow "joking on a square". No underhanded comments masked as jokes. A positive moral is a non negotiable. 

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4. Energy. Tom is such a powerful positive energy. He never comes in with a bad attitude. When Tom walks in the room he has a giant smile, and positive energy radiating from him. The team feeds off this. The amazing thing is he teaches his other leaders to follow his lead. This creates such an amazing environment for the team. 

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5. I don't know where he gets it but he is a master at identifying BS.  He has such a powerful presence, that not only will people stop the BS, they will also be vulnerable with Tom about why they were BSing in the first place. He helps people cut through the small little lies they tell themselves that hold them back. He helps them face and conquer fears, propelling them to greatness. 

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6. Tom has a way of allowing people to understand he will climb the mountain with them, but he will not carry them. He gets buy-in and produces movement that is usually consistently sustained through true buy-in. 

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7. He is not going to allow an individual, hurdle, or problem stop the team from performing. Everyone has to do their part. He is a master at holding accountability. If I ever made a mistake and came to him he was so gracious, and allowed me to fail and own my mistake. He would help me grow and improve with actionable advice. If anyone consistently was not willing to grow or learn then they had to move on. 

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8. Passion. Tom is so passionate about what he does. He is so passionate about leadership development. The leaders he produced were amazing. Those leaders openly gave Tom credit for teaching them tremendously. 

 

My favorite part of my time with Tom was not just watching him set the role model standard of being a leader everyday, but watching him develop other leaders that could do the same. What a gift to me, the team, the company, and the world. I pulled on so many of Tom’s lessons everyday. I utilize his teaching daily. 

 

I could go on and on. I am willing to discuss this in more detail at any time."

— Jefferson Davis

Carvana

Market Operations Manager- Dallas Market

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“Tom Orlando isn’t just a great manager, he is a true force of nature. His infectious smile and bright personality are matched only by his ability to get the job done, no matter how difficult. His years of high level experience and his ability to be both inspirational and empathetic have created a very simple proposition for those under his tutelage: if you listen, you WILL learn, and if you implement his direction, you will succeed!”

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— Diamond Dave Kaplan

Former MMA Champion now Financial Analyst B.O.A. Merrill Lynch

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"Having an impact on someone or impacting someone’s life, what does that mean?  By definition it is “The resulting effect, positive or negative, that the actions we take have to change the physical or mental state of others around us; and therefore, have the power to change the future path of an individual or group. For me, it is Tom Orlando.

 

To know Tom is to know what true leadership is.  Tom lives his life in such a way that just being around him makes you want to be a better person.  He is the real deal and I have never met someone with more passion, courage, or humility.   I had been raised in church nearly all my life and never saw someone demonstrate more empathy, or integrity than I witnessed watching Tom.  Sure, I have known people who most of the time displayed some characteristics of leadership, but not in the way that Tom Orlando does.  Everyone has a bad day, and no one is perfect but there is something about the way a true leader handles situations in those moments.  I say that sometimes these are the defining and refining moments of a leader.

 

There are few experiences in life like sitting under the leadership and direction of someone who is a natural-born leader. Tom leads by example.  He does not expect things from others that he would not do.  He is a man of integrity and full of passion, and his excitement is contagious.

 

I would encourage you to take advantage of an opportunity to talk with Tom, hear him speak, or listen to him teach.  I was lucky to sit under Tom’s teaching of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  When he presented this course, I remember rolling my eyes because I had not only read this book a few times but was forced to go through it with some colleagues a few years prior.  I was exasperated at the fact that I was faced with this book yet again.  As Tom started to speak, I took a deep breath and braced myself for what I thought was going to be the longest day of my life.  But it was at that moment that Tom’s voice and the words he was saying captivated me.  I almost felt like he was talking only to me as if no one else were around.   When the first class ended, I found myself not wanting the class to end.  How could this be? I read this book before, I did exercises from this book many times over, but I never learned anything about the 7 Habits until Tom brought it to life." 

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— MaryAnne Rybicki

Legal Operations Manager

MonoSol, LLC

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