So Many Ways to Tell a Story

red background with white word cloud storytelling engaging entertaining emotion

My nephew Andrew wants to be a tattoo artist. Over the last few years he’s gotten several, large, tattoos. Recently he applied to become an apprentice at a tattoo shop near his college.  Back in January he and I had lunch before he went back to school. Since no one in my immediate family has…

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What’s the Point of Your Business Meetings Or Get Togethers?

networking outside

When you bring people together for, or attend, a networking event, business meeting, workshop or conference, what’s the intention? As the world opens, locks down, opens, locks down, opens, wear mask indoors, (am I the only one exhausted from the ambivalence?) I’ve been thinking a lot about how we get together. After listening to Brené…

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Listening & Empathy to Create Positive Change

black lives matter

  Today I write with a heavy heart, full mind and jumbled words.  On Monday I spoke to my friend K. She is a black woman living a middle-class life in the panhandle of Florida. She has 3 kids and is married to an active duty military officer. His work brought them to FL. K…

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Please Stop Boring People in Meetings

Please Stop Boring People in Meetings

  “Woo!” That’s how I started a five minute pitch last week at a business networking event. See, 20 business owners had been sitting around a large conference style table eating a lunch of clam chowder, over-sized chicken sandwiches and french fries, and listening to person after person talk for five minutes about their business.…

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Creating Real Relationships in a Data-Driven World

Creating Real Relationships in a Data-Driven World

  Real relationships matter in business. Do you have the relationships you need to be truly influential and accomplish great work? That’s what today’s post is all about. Imagine this. You’ve taken time to prepare for an upcoming client meeting or maybe a networking event. You know what you want to say and have the…

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You Are Good Enough

You Are Good Enough

  I don’t know anyone – men, women, early career professionals, entrepreneurs, executives – who doesn’t struggle with being good enough. Do you? (I’d like to meet them!) For example, just last week I met with a client via Zoom video and listened as she explained the angst she felt going into a meeting with…

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To Communicate Powerfully, Believe in Your Ideas

To Communicate Powerfully, Believe in Your Ideas

  Do you communicate powerfully? Last week I watched the TED talk The Anti-CEO Playbook from Chobani yogurt CEO and founder, Hamdi Ulukaya. His premise in the talk? A people, not profit, first mentality in business. Watch it below or click here to view.   The 17 minute talk both riveted me and moved me to…

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Making Assumptions

Imagine this. You go into a business meeting and the person running the meeting says, “OK. We’re going to play a game called assumptions. Each of you will stand up while the rest of us write down the assumptions we have about you. You can’t say a word.” You might walk out, right? Yet that’s…

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The Power of Connection & Positive Change

The Power of Connection to Lead Positive Change

Start With Why Are you familiar with Simon Sinek’s concept Start With Why? (Learn more about his concept or watch his popular Ted talk here.) The general premise is this: Great companies and leaders start with WHY they do what they do. The purpose or cause behind their work. Then they move to how and…

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