KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Colette Carlson

Human connection expert and motivational speaker who teaches individuals to form and sustain relationships that drive productivity, engagement, and collaboration

BIO

KEYNOTES

TESTIMONIALS

VIDEOS

Colette Carlson is a human behavior expert and keynote speaker who inspires individuals to connect and communicate in real and relevant ways. How to create effective connections, and leverage them for greater success, is the thread that is woven into every one of Colette’s presentations.

With a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior, a fascination with communication trends, and extensive experience in the personal development industry for over 20 years, Colette knows the difference between trendy topics and timeless truths when it comes to successful business practices.

Colette is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a designation held by fewer than 10% of the members belonging to the International Federation for Professional Speakers. Her articles have been featured in Success, Business Management Daily, and Working Mother magazines.

Through her real-world, highly-engaging, and laugh-out- loud funny seminars, Colette teaches organizations how mindful communication creates powerful connections. Every presentation is customized and personalized, and audience members learn how to form and sustain connections that drive productivity, engagement, and collaboration. From the top leadership to the front line, it’s all about the power of connection. Every person at every level of an organization benefits from the power of connection. Most importantly, that power begins within. The awareness and discipline of connecting with yourself first, in order to genuinely connect with others, is what Colette inspires in people everywhere.

Her clients include Boeing, Microsoft, Cisco, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Shell, Great Clips, Davidson Hotels, the United States Government, and numerous others. Colette grew up in Chicago and now lives in San Diego, but she still prefers pizza over tofu.

Keynote Presentations

Stress Less, Connect More
The truth is whether you are in leadership, sales, or the front line you are expected to produce more in less time with fewer resources, while staying positive and engaged with colleagues, customers and clients. The reality is we are stressed out, tightly wound, and exhausted trying to meet and exceed expectations. We have the best intentions that seem to go out the window before lunch as we are constantly changing schedules, demands, and priorities. Enough already! Create the focus, energy, and mindset necessary to make healthy choices and stay connected to those who count. It’s no longer about time management, it’s about YOU management. Get ready to laugh-out- loud and walk away ready to make positive, long-lasting change the next day.

Learn how to:

  • Differentiate between time management and YOU management
  • Know when to let go or take control
  • Eliminate unrealistic expectations and energy zappers
  • Beat the stress and temptation of everyday life in healthy ways
  • Build a positive mindset to increase mental toughness
Many Communicate. Few Connect.
The common denominators of the most successful people are the ability to effectively communicate and connect, regardless of the situation or audience. In a competitive world filled with a global workforce, numerous communication challenges and daily digital distractions, getting your message heard has never been more challenging. Clear, concise communication is no longer enough to get results: connection must be part of the equation. Productivity decreases, collaboration stalls, accountability suffers and conflict and stress escalate when even the simplest of miscommunication occurs. Without connection, these outcomes are only heightened.

Connect and communicate on a deeper level to form crucial relationships that drive productivity, engagement, and collaboration by learning how to:

  • Awaken your personal awareness to foster healthy communication
  • Align your thoughts, words and actions to build trust and increase influence
  • Overcome conflict while maintaining a respectful human connection
  • Become a human highlighter who champions the accomplishments and strengths of every individual on your team
  • Increase rapport and leave a positive, lasting impression with everyone
The Language of Leadership
Successful leaders understand the nuances in communication that make a big difference when inspiring action and cooperation. Leaders know the power of their words and understand that words alone do not generate trust, allegiance and loyalty. Connection is the glue that keeps relationships, projects and organizations together. A leader must be authentic and exhibit the behaviors conveyed in their message to maintain respect for their authority.

Advance your communication style, increase your credibility, earn respect, and gain support by learning how to:

  • Communicate with candor and clarity to guide your team to achieve remarkable results
  • Develop phrases that dissolve conflict and inspire cooperation
  • Engage, persuade and influence others through strategic storytelling
  • Exhibit integrity and build trust when you walk your talk (especially under pressure!)
  • Become a human highlighter who champions the accomplishments and strengths of every individual on your team
Sincere Selling: Stop Transacting, Start Connecting
In order to make a sale and earn a customer, you must first make a connection. Wider and deeper relationships lead to increased sales, repeat customers, and powerful referrals. As a former national sales trainer, who cut her teeth in straight commission sales, Colette will show you how to up your personal connection quotient to maximize relationships, revenue and results. Engage, persuade, and influence others, while still promoting you and your services honestly, assertively, and authentically by learning how to:

  • Recognize that connection begins within
  • Focus on opening the dialogue, rather than closing the sale
  • Create a Sincere Selling Mindset
  • Align your thoughts, words, and actions to build trust and confidence
  • Become an ASK Master to capitalize on your connections
3 Truths Female Leaders Need to Know
Want to be recognized, respected and rewarded in your career? Want to be tapped for your leadership potential? The world seeks more women leaders. Why not enjoy the perks and adventure of being one? Now is the time to take an honest look, access and advance your leadership skills. Join Colette as she delivers the latest research and strategies specific to women in leadership. You will gain the self-aware­ ness and success-skills necessary to become an authentic, credible and confident leader—and laugh-out- loud along the way. Deliver positive results for your company or organization by learning how to:

  • Identify and change communication patterns that limit your influence
  • Employ the art of self-promotion to express your success in a manner that gains supporters and censors critics
  • Build a persuasive case to back up your ASK for maximum impact

Colette Carlson Testimonials

“Colette’s infectious spirit, passion for her subject, and humorous delivery engaged the audience which is why we would highly recommend her as a speaker for your next event!”

Ginnie Roeglin, Senior Vice President, Costco Wholesale

“Colette was a huge hit at our Leadership Series, and people are still talking about it! We were all so impressed by the way she researched and got to know us. As a result, she nailed it, gained immediate credibility and connected with everyone! Colette was knowledgeable, relatable and down to earth… what more could you ask for.”
Donna Sanders, People Development Mgr, Texas Roadhouse

“Colette’s enthusiasm, humor and very practical advice were a huge hit with our group of women General Counsel and senior level in-house counsel. Colette fully committed to our program – spending time with our attendees and other speakers to gain a deep understanding of our challenges and goals. She made sincere personal connections — as a result, her session fit perfectly within our program, and our attendees left energized and better prepared to address the obstacles that impede their success and the success of the organizations they serve.”
Chair, National Assn. of Women Lawyers 8th General Counsel Institute

“Colette is an amazing speaker! She did a keynote for 2300 franchise owners, general managers, and managers and a breakout session for 1500 general managers and managers. She did a great job researching our business and sharing stories and examples that the participants could relate to. The participants found her funny and insightful. The vast majority of the participants rated her as Excellent! She was also a delight to work with in planning the conference as well as on-site. I highly recommend Colette as a speaker!”
Lora Peterson, Director, Great Clips University

“Your presentation exceeded our expectations as a keynote speaker. The attendees and NASN staff are impressed that you tailored your presentation to school nurses, including your school nursing visuals — the slide of IEP blocks and the props used in the busy nurse skit on stage. Conference participants including school nurses in the health office and school nurse administrators commented to me that you truly understood them and the challenges they face. Your presentation was a fitting conclusion to our conference as you empowered the audience and provided them with insight on how to take action when they return home.”
Sarah Butler, MS, RN, CDE, NCSN, Director of Diabetes and Nursing Education, National Association of School Nurses

Videos