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Shelley Goldstein
Shelley trains global audiences how to powerfully command executive presence and master the art of effective speaking. With over 30 years of senior level management and entrepreneurship, she understands the demands of the evolving workplace—with its emphasis on communication skills and leadership influence—and has helped hundreds of people in over 40 countries across a variety of industries develop the skills necessary to be empowering, remarkable speakers and lead with impact. Connect with Shelley here…
Join us for a live and unscripted interview with Shelley’s
Business MentorshipKeepin It Real and if you’re on the move here is the podcast.
From Monologue to Dialogue: Have Conversations That Convert
- Contributed By: Shelley Goldstein
Tell us a little something about your business...
The silence was uncomfortably awkward and what may have been seconds, felt like forever!
I was paralyzed. I was part of an ensemble performance in college and when it was my turn to speak my lines, my mind went blank. I have an outgoing personality, maybe even ambivert but from that day onward, I restricted my speaking to behind the scenes.
My lack of confidence speaking in public haunted me for years. As a Marketing Director and Senior Designer, I was overlooked for job promotions and I let important business connections dwindle. I had this feeling of being left behind as I watched others succeed.
It wasn’t until years later that I became my first client. My journey to improve my speaking skills taught me that every opportunity to present is a conversation. I now speak on stages around the world, am a frequent guest on podcasts and coach high level executives how to be world class speakers.
None of this was my career plan. And here I am, a Keynote Speaker and Corporate Trainer helping others to reach their unrealized potential and achieve success.
When was your lightbulb moment?
Her uncle said she was not landing interviews and had a learning disability.
She said she was nervous and not confident she’d say the right thing.
I told her uncle I was not qualified to diagnose her disability, however I could help her find her voice.
I coached her. She got the interview and two more interviews after that. Managing her anxiety, she talked candidly about her zany adventures as a zoologist and excited the interviewers.
When she got 3 job offers and accepted the position at the aquarium, I realized the impact of my training.
That was my light bulb moment.
What are your three words of advice?
Have more conversations.
I am in this networking group and everyone jumps into pitch mode. I remember this one person rattling off a monologue of features and benefits so quickly, all I heard was “wah, wah, wah,” just like Miss Othmar, the teacher of the Peanuts gang.
In an environment where first impressions count, I had no interest in pursuing a conversation with this person. It was months later, after I went through the grueling process of hiring a marketing service and having had a really nice dialogue with this person, that I learned they were in the marketing business. Unfortunately for both of us, it was a missed opportunity.
Maybe you’re thinking, I’ve heard lots of ‘wah, wah, wah’ pitches and does my pitch sound like Miss Othmar? ‘Wah’ are your missed business opportunities?
Conversations with interesting dialogue is how you build trusting relationships. Trust is how you convert clients.
Three words of advice...
Have more conversations.
Shelley trains global audiences how to powerfully command executive presence and master the art of effective speaking. With over 30 years of senior level management and entrepreneurship, she understands the demands of the evolving workplace—with its emphasis on communication skills and leadership influence—and has helped hundreds of people in over 40 countries across a variety of industries develop the skills necessary to be empowering, remarkable speakers and lead with impact. Connect with Shelley here…
Join us for a live and unscripted interview with Shelley’s
Business MentorshipKeepin It Real and if you’re on the move here is the podcast.
“May your legacy create a footprint of success for the next person who steps into your shoes”
