The most successful businesses grow from and are sustained by mutually-beneficial relationships. And your success is in direction correlation to your ability to connect with others. Customers buy from people they like, know, and trust. Employees want to work for people they respect. The ability to connect on both a personal and professional level isn’t just a nice skill to have; it will become your greatest asset and your biggest competitive advantage.
With a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and extensive experience in the personal development industry for over 20 years, Colette Carlson knows the difference between trendy topics and timeless truths when it comes to successful business practices.
This spotlight interview is on Colette, and here is what she said:
If you had to sum up your presentations in three words, what are they?
COLETTE: Real, Relevant, Fun
Which audiences resonate most with your content?
COLETTE: Humans, as social beings, must connect to survive and thrive, both professionally and personally. Therefore, my audience isn’t limited by geography, gender, generation, industry or position. Rather, the topic of connection is applicable to anyone and allows me to talk about connection as it relates to sales, leaders, front-line employees, etc.
What is your best advice for leaders on how to build powerful connections with those they lead?
COLETTE: Few things are more powerful than human connection. In today’s task-rich, time-poor, ever-changing business environment, leaders who make teams feel recognized, respected, and heard will go a long way towards creating an engaged, productive workforce. Equally as important, leaders who step up and address challenging subjects, consistently walk their talk, and model behavior expected of employees build trust and deepen connections with those they lead.
You have a “famous” skit that audience members love and rave about. What inspired you to add this to your presentations?
COLETTE: My skit helps create a personal, emotional experience that drives home the message. Creating the customized skit also allows me to interview a handful of attendees prior to my program, which helps me better understand the challenges, frustrations, and day-to-day tasks of attendees. This creates mindshare and empathy, as people open up and share their stories during the call. When I hang up, I feel like I’ve made a new friend.
Additionally, my skit, which is delivered in the first third of my program, helps the audience buy in to the “why” surrounding the topic. They see their day played out on stage with a volunteer from the crowd. And many of us are visual learners, so showing, rather than just telling, helps attendees remember important takeaways. Lastly, it’s laugh-out-loud funny. And when people are laughing together, that’s connection in action.
For booking information on Colette Carlson, contact Michelle Joyce or visit MichelleJoyceSpeakers.com.
Tune in every Friday for additional featured speakers!
