THE FRONT STORY:
By nature, I am a catalyst for connection. I always start with what we have in common and build from that foundation. I seek ways to remove barriers and bring people together in order to be more connected, more engaged, and more productive.
During the course of my professional life, I have partnered regularly with diverse, global technology experts to deliver results. I have seen the value in reducing any barriers to effective communication and connection. However, I have been shocked and dismayed at times to discover how resistant and judgmental some of my American peers were of our international counterparts.
I witnessed a lack of patience, understanding, and appreciation. My American peers tend to judge and label due to lingual and cultural differences. I experienced first-hand how this impacted team collaboration, productivity, and engagement. I realized that in order to create stronger connection, we needed more effective communication, from BOTH sides of the exchange. I wanted to help remove these barriers and elevate the entire team. By sharing the tools and training I utilized when learning other languages, I can help others optimize their communication skills.
The results are transformational!
THE BACK STORY:
I grew up in Horicon, Wisconsin. Population 3,603. I love my roots but small-town Midwest was about as culturally homogenous as it gets.
In high school, I was afforded the incredible opportunity to live with a family in Brazil for a year. Little did I know that this journey would unlock a lifetime of lingual and cultural awareness and exploration.
My Brazilian family provided me with a conducive environment to learn Portuguese AND soften my thick American accent in this new language. The methods I employed accelerated my learning and my accent reduction. I was able to give back by teaching the same methods to Brazilians who wanted to improve their English-speaking skills. Most importantly, this has allowed me to hone my listening skills to a level that helps others quickly. I have been coaching visitors, students, and professionals ever since!