Communicate, Connect and Engage

FountainBlue’s January 18, 2019 When She Speaks event was on the topic of ‘ The Convergence of Technologies’.   

We were fortunate to have such a range of leaders on our panel, representing a range of professional and educational backgrounds, a range of rows and companies. They shared a passion for the need to communicate, connect and engage, and agreed:

• Solid Communication is core to all successful relationships, all successful projects. Communication must be open, transparent, authentic and clear, as well as bi-directional, direct and ongoing. This is generally not easy, but always required.
• Connections between people help make communication easier, even when difficult topics must be broached. 
• Successful engagement leads to improved communications, improved connections, and successful metrics. 
• Improved communication and connections can also lead to improved engagement.

Below are some best practices for communicating, connecting and engaging with others:

• Be Strategic
  • Look not just at the words and actions, but also be curious about the intentions and motivations of other parties.
    
  • Insist on civility, but reach for a true connection.
  • Consider your ecosystem of stakeholders and each audience within that stakeholder set. Strategize your communications and actions based on your research.
  • Focus on measuring the impact of your engagement programs.
• Be Open
  • Be open and compassionate and curious, especially when someone looks and seems different than you, especially when she/he might disagree with you.
  • Be empathetic to others and their situations. Try to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
  • Be vulnerable and receptive. Others are more likely to communicate, connect and engage with you that way. 
  • Step outside your comfort zone.
• Be Empathetic
  • Be aware of not just what you say but how you say it. 
  • How you make the other person feel is even more important than being right. (Maya Angelou)
  • Speak to the whole person. Others are just as complicated and complex as we are ourselves!
  • Build trust
  • Try to bring your best self forward at all times, but expect that this can’t happen all the time. Forgive yourself and others when you’re/they are not coming across as their best self.
• Empower Others
  • Empower others to plan and strategize to improve communication, connection and engagement.
  • Inspire and empower others around you, no matter where you sit at the table, even if you don’t have a seat at the table.

In conclusion, our inspiring panelists shared a common message: Keep reaching for stars. Never settle. The impossible can only happen to those who truly believe it can.

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Please join me in thanking our panelists for FountainBlue’s January 18, 2019 When She Speaks event on the topic of ‘ The Convergence of Technologies’, and our gracious hosts at Samsung.

• Facilitator Linda Holroyd, CEO, FountainBlue 
• Panelist Megan Cheek, HR Director, Maxim Integrated
• Panelist Lucia Soares, Managing Director, Health247 Inc. 
• Panelist Sarah Tapia, Director of Talent Acquisition, Samsung Research America
• Panelist Erin Yeaman, Senior Director of HR, Lam Research
• Panelist Julia Zhu, Engineering Program Manager, Cisco

with opening remarks by Joon Lee, President, Samsung Research America and closing remarks by Roxanne dos Santos, Senior Manager, HR Operations, Samsung Research America

See bios and details at https://www.tikkl.com/fountainblue/c/engage