At Connect To The Core, we believe that the most powerful communication starts from within. We’re not simply another communication coaching company—we are on a mission to help individuals and organizations find their authentic voice and connect with others in meaningful ways. Our name, Connect To The Core, reflects our philosophy and approach: connecting deeply to the values, drivers, and essence of who you are will allow you to easily and authentically connect with others.

Why "Connect To The Core"?

The name of our company is more than a label; it’s a guiding principle. To connect effectively with others—whether it’s your team, your target market, or your community—you must first connect with yourself. What are your core values? What drives you? What are the fundamental beliefs that shape your approach to life and work? Understanding these things is not just a individual journey; it’s the foundation of effective communication in your...

September: The Second New Year

When we think of new beginnings, January 1st often comes to mind. But for many, September brings the same sense of fresh starts and renewed energy, thanks to the ingrained rhythm of the school calendar. As summer ends and school begins, there’s a palpable shift in mindset—a feeling of newness and pumpkin spice that can inspire us to set goals, reorganize, and refocus. Whether or not you have children heading back to school, the patterns of life in September often make it feel like a "second new year."

Here are three ways you can take advantage of this momentum:

1. Set Your “Second New Year” Goals

Just like we set resolutions in January, September is a great time to review where you stand with the goals you may have set earlier in the year. Maybe some have fallen by the wayside, or perhaps new priorities have emerged. Take a moment to assess what's working and what’s not. Set fresh, realistic goals for the next few...

Feedback and criticism are integral parts of personal and professional growth. And, the impact of feedback can vary widely, sometimes hitting us like a grain of salt and other times feeling as heavy as a boulder. Understanding why this happens and how to navigate these varying impacts is key to harnessing the power of feedback effectively.

The Grain of Salt: When Feedback Feels Manageable

When feedback is constructive and delivered thoughtfully, it often feels manageable—like a grain of salt. In these instances, the feedback is usually:

1. Specific and Actionable: Clear, targeted suggestions that offer a path for improvement can feel empowering. Knowing exactly what to work on makes the feedback feel like a helpful nudge rather than a daunting challenge.

2. Delivered with Empathy: When the person providing feedback shows understanding and compassion, it softens the impact. A supportive tone can make even critical feedback easier to digest.

3. Aligned with Personal...

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, the pursuit of growth is constant. Whether you're a start-up aiming to establish your foothold or a seasoned corporation striving to maintain your edge, the quest for progress is ever-present. Amidst this pursuit, one strategy stands out as a beacon of success: good communication, specifically cascading information throughout the organization.

Effective communication lies at the heart of every thriving enterprise. It's not merely data exchange; it's about fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and shared understanding. When information cascades seamlessly from the top echelons to the grassroots level, it fuels alignment, empowers employees, and drives organizational agility. And yes, even my company falls prey to the busyness of “work”, and we sometimes lapse in our strategic growth planning. And when we do get together regularly, and information is disseminated throughout the organization and wins are celebrated...

In the world of business, entrepreneurs often face challenges that require strategic thinking and resilience. Whether it's due to economic downturns, industry disruptions, or personal circumstances, there may come a time when a business owner needs to make difficult decisions. Facing tough times in a business doesn't mean failure, it’s part of the risk of being a business owner. And let’s face it, “good times” hide a multitude of sins. So, when tough times come around the corner it can be a great opportunity to make necessary changes that have been put off for too long. In this blog, we’ll explore some strategies business owners can adopt to navigate challenges successfully and improve their growth outlook.

1. Assess the Situation Honestly

The first step in any challenging situation is to assess it honestly. This means taking stock of the business's financial health, market position, and growth prospects. It's important to objectively evaluate...

Wow, now that was an eclipse! This awe-inspiring phenomenon has captivated humanity for centuries (I mean how do they know exactly when and where?!?). Beyond its celestial spectacle, a solar eclipse offers valuable lessons applicable to various facets of life, business, and communication. In this blog, I will share with you how the recent solar eclipse got me exploring how it served as a metaphor for business strategies and communication practices.

Embracing Change:

Just as the moon momentarily blocks the sun during a solar eclipse, businesses often face periods of disruption and change. Rather than resisting change, successful organizations embrace it, adapting their strategies to navigate through uncertain times (hello covid). Whether it's a shift in market trends, technological advancements, or personnel changes, businesses that remain agile and open to adaptation are better positioned to thrive in dynamic environments.

Strategic Alignment:

A solar eclipse occurs...

In the realm of communication, we often find ourselves entangled in a web of misconceptions that hinder our ability to effectively connect with others. These misconceptions, or lies, can subtly influence our approach to communication and impede our growth in both personal and professional spheres. Let's debunk three prevalent lies about communication and unravel the one absolute truth that reigns supreme.

Lie #1: "I'm better if I 'wing it'"

If I had a nickel for every time we heard someone boast about their ability to improvise speeches or conversations without any prior preparation, I would be a bazillionaire and wouldn’t have to write these blogs (kidding, I would still spread the good communication gospel).

While spontaneity can indeed be valuable in certain situations (questions anyone?), relying solely on "winging it" is a recipe for disaster. Effective communication requires thoughtful planning, understanding of the audience, and clarity of message. Without these...

In the realm of idioms and proverbs, few phrases are as widely known and used as "never cry over spilled milk." This simple yet profound saying encapsulates a universal truth about the human experience: sometimes, things don't go as planned, and it's essential to understand that there are things you can’t control, the only thing you can control is how you react. Accepting and moving on rather than dwelling on things you cannot change is really the only move.

While it may seem like a straightforward piece of advice for handling life's minor mishaps, the wisdom behind "never cry over spilled milk" extends far beyond its literal interpretation, reaching into the realm of communication.

Communication is the lifeblood of human interaction, permeating every aspect of our personal and professional lives. Whether we're conveying thoughts and emotions to loved ones, negotiating with colleagues, or presenting ideas to an audience, effective communication is crucial for building...

In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, the ability to communicate effectively is a valuable skill. Recently, I stumbled upon an intriguing article written by former CIA agent turned CEO Rupal Patel in which he shed some light on the habits of people with high emotional intelligence when engaging in conversations . The original six points were insightful, and I agreed with all of them (especially #2 IYKYK), and in this blog I am sharing three additional elements that will enhance the dynamics of your interpersonal communication.

1. Practice Empathetic Listening:

In fact, practice listening, full stop. One of the cornerstones of emotional intelligence is empathetic listening. While Mr. Patel emphasized the importance of understanding others' emotions (here here!), it’s critical to underscore the significance of actively listening to them. People with high emotional intelligence don't simply hear words; they listen with the intent to understand, absorbing...

The pandemic reshaped the way we work, to say the least. It broke down traditional office walls, (remember when the answer to being able to work from home was that it wouldn’t work logistically? Well, we showed them…right Covid!) It ushered in an era of hybrid work environments whether we knew we wanted them or not. And as we emerge from the fog of the last few years, it's important to reflect on the habits (good, bad, and ugly) that we developed as a society and establish new workplace etiquette to thrive in this evolving landscape. Full disclosure, my company Connect To The Core has been operating remotely since its inception, so you could say pants have always been optional and strongly encouraged. So, when the pandemic hit, it was easy for us to transition, and others had a much harder time.

The shift to hybrid work environments represents a seismic change in the way companies operate. Gone are the days of the rigid 9-to-5 office routine, as employees now have the...