Icebreakers are Great for Trust … But You’re Doing It Wrong
Connection before content is essential for building trust, but too often, icebreakers are done wrong. In this article, I’ll share three examples—one from business, one from education, and one from a non-profit context—where I’ve seen people lead connection before content that works really well. The Purpose of Connection Before Content Unlike typical icebreakers, connection before […]
Building My Dream Conference in Under 10 Minutes
Designing the Dream Conference: 5 Ingredients for Unforgettable Events 🎉 Are you tired of attending conferences that follow the same old formula? In this blog post, we’re exploring how to create a conference experience that’s fresh, engaging, and unforgettable. Join me as I walk you through five ingredients that will help you create your dream […]
Connection, Belonging, Trust & AI
What’s the difference? Connection? Belonging? Trust? The 3 definitions that I unpack in the video above will help you think differently about these words. A big shoutout to my late co-founder, co-author and friend, Will Wise, for helping me to “co-think” through these distinctions. I’ve included the definitions in written form at the bottom of this […]
Be Careful With Feedback
Be Mindful with Feedback When it comes to feedback, we get what we ask for. And feedback is like fuel. But you can’t put diesel gas into your Mazda and expect a long, smooth roadtrip. It’ll burn out. Similarly, switching to a 100% chocolate diet is unlikely to contribute to your peak performance—unfortunately. You will burn out. Asking […]
Best Conference Icebreaker
The Conversational Lottery When you buy a Powerball ticket, you could win $20—or—you could win a billion dollars (which happened a couple weeks ago 🤯). Similarly, in conversation, you could leave a chat with a new perspective—or—you could have a career shifting conversation that helps you land a dream job. You could bump into somebody who shares your passion—or—you could […]
THIS Is How You Open a Speech
THIS Is How You Open a Speech Whether you’re giving a small talk or a giant presentation, I have a strong opinion about what a great opener should look like. In my humble opinion, it’s important to: Invite their contribution and participation in the first 30 seconds Remind the group that they are, in fact, the experts—of their own experience Do […]
Research: How Long Does It Take To Make Friends?
How Long Does it Take to Make Friends? (Research-backed answer) Not going to lie…this is easily the most awkward thumbnail photo my design team has ever created 🤣 I cringed when I first saw it. But I asked the team leave it instead of revising because… Meeting new people can be awkward. There is a period of time where […]
THIS Could Change Conferences Forever
What if the next keynote, lecture, or workshop you attended included only 500 words from the speaker? At roughly 175 words per minute, that is only 3 minutes of talking. Is it possible? Since long before microphones existed, we’ve been putting people up on stages and listening intently to what that one person had to […]
Best Meeting Icebreaker: Connection Before Content
Why Connection Before Content Matters Connection before content creates an environment where people feel comfortable being authentic and vulnerable, leading to more productive meetings and stronger relationships. By focusing on connecting people to each other and the purpose of the gathering, you can enhance engagement and create a more meaningful experience. Three Checklist Items for […]
How to Avoid the Blame Game
This is a special clip because I’m inviting you into a live Coaching Lab that I ran with a group of staff and faculty at a university I’ve been working with for the past 2 years. In today’s video, you’ll be hearing some honest conversation about where blame comes from and how to avoid it. […]
