In the vast array of human emotions, gratitude and appreciation stand out as threads that weave the fabric of positive relationships and personal growth. And since it is a “thankful” time of year, today’s blog will explore the difference between gratitude and appreciation and emphasizes the power of choosing to appreciate to create transformative experiences for yourself and others. 

Gratitude and appreciation are terms that are often used interchangeably, and there are distinct nuances that differentiate them. Gratitude is an internal reflection, a personal acknowledgment of what one has received or experienced, while appreciation is an external expression that focuses on the value of others.

Gratitude: A Personal Reflection

 At its core, gratitude is a deeply personal and introspective emotion. It arises from within, a recognition of the positive aspects of one's life, experiences, or even challenges. It is often seen as a practice that enhances well-being, encouraging individ...

I have said many times, success in business doesn't happen in isolation. It's a collaborative effort that often depends on the people you choose to surround yourself with. From mentors and colleagues to centers of influence, partners and employees, the individuals you connect with can profoundly impact your entrepreneurial journey. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in business and how this can be a game-changer for your success.

The Right Mentorship

One of the most valuable assets you can acquire in your business journey is a mentor. A mentor is typically someone who has experienced the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and their guidance can be incredibly beneficial. They provide insights, share their knowledge, and offer advice that can help you navigate the challenges and make informed decisions. A mentor can be the guiding light that keeps you on the right path, preventing you from making costly mistakes and accelerating ...

Creating a sense of community is essential for human well-being and happiness. It's a fundamental part of our social fabric, and thanks to the internet, it's not limited to traditional neighbourhoods or community centers. Sometimes, community can be found in the most unexpected places. Now I know this might be a stretch and, in this blog we'll explore the remarkable story of the Home Depot cat and the valuable lessons it teaches us about building community in extraordinary ways. So bear with me.

The Home Depot Cat's Tale

Every community has its heroes, and in a small town in South Carolina, a seemingly ordinary cat became an unlikely one. This feline, known as "Depot," made a local Home Depot store its home. With its distinct tuxedo coat and charming personality, Depot quickly captured the hearts of both employees and customers. In fact, Depot became the unofficial mascot of the store, greeting shoppers and providing a source of comfort and companionship. He roamed the aisles, l...

I was recently getting fast food for my children (don’t judge me), and the restaurant made a mistake with my daughter’s meal, usually not a big deal except we didn’t notice until we got home. So, being the great mother that I am (humble brag), I drove back and told them about their mistake. Here comes the annoying part. The woman behind the counter did not apologize, and quite frankly seemed annoyed. She took the “mistake” burger from the box and right in front of me, threw it in the trash. She then begrudgingly handed me the nuggets, again no apology. This person had an opportunity to delight me by simply apologizing and telling me to keep the “mistake” food item instead of wasting it, or even a smile would have been something. This is a place that you may not expect above and beyond service, and the point is still the same. It was a wasted opportunity.

 Often when we look at our ‘client’s journey” we focus on making sure everything goes smoothly and there is nothing to cause frictio...

Public speaking and presentations can be daunting, and with the right approach, anyone can become a great presenter. In this blog, we'll share five valuable tips from the experts that will help you captivate your audience, convey your message effectively, and leave a lasting impression. Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just starting, these tips will elevate your presentation skills to new heights.

Tip #1 - Preparation: Lay the Foundation for Success 

Identify Key Points: 

Begin by planning your communication strategy (try using The Power To Connect). Determine the three key points you want your audience to remember. It can be less than three, and not more. People won’t remember more than three things, so don’t overwhelm them with more. Focus on clarity, simplicity and make it relevant to them to ensure your message is easily understood and remembered.  

Passion and Authenticity:

Speak about a topic you know, understand, and believe in. When you're genuinely passionate about...

In this post-pandemic, recessiony (that’s a word), age of hybrid work environments, it has been difficult for some organizations to; A.) Get their employees to come back to work full time, B.) Have them be happy about it, and C.) Achieve a high level of company culture. 

Results and goals do not get accomplished in a vacuum and rarely by one individual. In this blog we will share three ways to boost an organization's culture to improve retention rates and have happier team members which is always at the epicenter of results.

“Company Culture”, what is it?

Yes, it is a buzzy phrase that everyone claims is important to them. Higher ups often think they have a great company culture, where the team members can have differing opinions. In fact, only 28% of executives understand their company’s culture (1). 

Company culture generally refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that exist within an organization. It represents the collective personality and character...

Email is one of the most widely used forms of communication today, and it's not always easy to get your message across effectively. Whether you're communicating with colleagues, your customers, clients, or friends and family, it's important to make sure that your emails are clear, concise, and easy to understand. 

If you’re communicating with your customers via an email list, this opens a whole new can of communication worms in terms of the design and flow of your emails. To truly engage with your clients, customers and supporters put the emphasis on both the design and copy of your emails in order to stand out.

In this blog post, I’ll share some email tips that I’ve learned after over 40 years as a communication coach that can be applied to any email conversation, and some design/copy considerations you should make when you’re emailing a list of subscribers to cut through the noise of their inbox.

Tips For More Effective Everyday Email Communication

Use a specific subject line

You know the expression “charity begins at home”? Well, I’m a firm believer that the same thing applies in communication, specifically within romantic partnerships. The people we date often act as our mirrors, showing us parts of ourselves that we wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. Relationships give us key insights into areas of our communication where we’re excelling, and areas that could use some work. 

I’ve always been fascinated by relationship dynamics. Specifically the question of, why do some marriages last while others don't? And, what are some of the qualities and practices that go into fostering a successful, happy marriage that stands the test of time? 

The truth is, so much can be learned about communication through our relationships. In this blog post, we’ll dive into some of the tools spoken about by leading relationship experts that can help foster life-long romantic partnerships, and how the same principles can be applied to our communication skills as a whole....