Today we’d like to introduce you to Colette Carlson.
Colette, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Reflecting on my journey as a professional speaker, I’m able to see how every life experience, both good or bad, influenced my path and passion to teach others how to create powerful connections and leverage those connections for success. Since my message and materials apply to any and all industries, I’ve been privileged to share my system at companies such as Boeing, Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble and the United States Government.
Since connection begins within, to understand other’s behaviors and attitudes, you must first understand yourself. This requires a willingness to look in the mirror and stop playing fictionary. After all, you can’t change what you’re unwilling to acknowledge. Therefore, my career results from years of self-reflection and trusted feedback to recognize and play to my strengths, while weakening my weaknesses. Owning that if my life didn’t reflect what I claimed to be true, I created the disconnect as I believe your outer world reflects your inner world.
How did I get to where I am today? I took the time to feel, heal and deal with my truth which taught me acceptance, compassion and empathy, both towards myself and others, which is key to connecting whether in leadership, parenting or sales. In turn, this built a strong foundation to take risks, to go after my goals and dreams knowing I can handle whatever comes my way.
Once I figured out what I truly came to do and gave myself permission to change career direction, I simply followed entrepreneurial best practices. This included working for a similar business to learn the business on someone else’s dime, joining groups and associations filled with both like-minded and diverse thinkers, setting up effective systems, tracking metrics and money, leveraging personal talent and hiring talent where skills lack. Coming from a strong sales background, the ability to pick up the phone and sell my services gave me a competitive advantage.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyone has speed bumps along their path. You get to choose whether to use the discomfort as an opportunity for growth or an excuse to quit. Growing up on the south side of Chicago in a family where both parents abhorred pity parties and modeled a strong work ethic, helped me grow through any pain. After all, we live what we learn.
As a teacher, my mother’s contagious love of learning, ambition and her own continuous growth created a “What’s next?” philosophy which always left me hungry for more. My father, a former WWII POW, professional football player, coach and school building engineer didn’t let his genuine love of people get in the way of administering tough love.
As a product of both, I’m a teacher and coach at heart who doesn’t shy away from sharing truths we all need to hear to grow our relationships, both personally and professionally. Truths I avoided earlier in my life leaving me 50 pounds heavier and a heavy partier by the time I graduated college. So, my first big challenge was ME!
We all crave acceptance. We all want to be valued and heard. As my family moved twice within my early teens, rather than speak my truth amongst my new peers, I fit in by adopting chameleon-like behavior. Somewhere along the way I also internalized if I wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t lovable. To avoid all the uncomfortable feelings like vulnerability, insecurity, self-doubt and fear that surface when you’re afraid to be judged, criticized or rejected, I pushed that energy down with food, alcohol and recreational drugs. The world saw a confident, capable individual who could connect in any crowd, but I played small to feel safe while simultaneously beating myself up for not playing a bigger game. Putting my pride on the side and asking for help in my late twenties shifted my direction and pointed me toward the path I’m still traveling.
Now that I’m comfortable being imperfectly perfect, my need to improve, grow, get better and continually raise the bar on myself serves me, rather than sabotages me. I recognize that it’s not about perfection, but connection which has only deepened my relationships with others and self.
In 2004, after finishing my master’s in Human Behavior, I launched my business. Perhaps because I’m a tortoise, rather than a hare, I believe patience and persistence win the race. Rather than waste mind time comparing myself to others in the industry who move further faster, I choose instead to compare myself to the person I was yesterday. Am I still challenging myself and growing? Have I become more compassionate and accepting? Are my words sincere and respectful even when I’m holding someone accountable? Is the time I invest in my family aligned with my values?
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Speak Your Truth – what should we know?
Few things are more powerful than human connection. People still buy from, are influenced by and want to work with people they know, like and trust. That’s what connection is. It’s personal. It’s emotional. Without connection, communication in today’s technological, information-overloaded, crowded and competitive marketplace falls on deaf, distracted ears. Your ability to connect allows you to cut through the noise. Your ability to connect makes your message memorable. Whether you’re a leader, in sales or on the front-line, clear, consistent communication is no longer enough to get results: connection must be part of the equation.
My business, Speak Your Truth, Inc., provides the tools, stories and strategies to support individuals personal and professional growth to build those relationships that drive revenue and results. As a result, stress, misunderstandings and conflict decrease, while collaboration, engagement and productivity increase.
To maximize my own connections prior to an engagement, I invest the time interviewing numerous individuals from the company, association or event. The customized material I present increases trust as attendees recognize I’m not just providing generic information, but information to best serve them moving forward.
Earlier this year, I was beyond honored to receive the Council of Peers Award of Excellence from the National Speakers Association. My fellow speakers chose me to join the Speaker Hall of Fame® which affirmed my choice so many years ago to follow this dream.
To summarize, technology serves us, but will never replace the power of connection. Connection requires warmth, authenticity and a genuine desire to serve others. How fortunate am I to act as a connection catalyst to create more warmth, authenticity and service in this world. Please join me by visiting www.ColetteCarlson.com.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Success requires more than one quality or characteristic in my book to include emotional intelligence, positive perseverance, continuous learning, and the ability to connect and build relationships.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ColetteCarlson.
com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colettecarlson/
- Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ colettecarlsonspeaks - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
ColetteCarlson - Other: https://www.linkedin.
com/in/ motivationalspeakercolette/
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