Reprinted from Stilettogal
Today we are walking a mile in the sparkly stilettos of Stephanie Michele, founder of SocialBling. SocialBling inspires people to communicate with purpose, inspires leaders to implement process that helps people communicate consciously, promotes the value of relationships and brings people together to make better decisions to impact communities locally and globally. read more »
To whom this may concern:
Everyday there are 1000’s of marketers competing for my time. I am consuming data and information at an alarming rate both online and off. When I am at my computer, on average I am switching tabs or functions more than twice every 60 seconds. read more »
My Confession
In the fall of last year, I tried to combine advocating awareness to a social epidemic that I am passionate about with my actual consulting work. At the heart of both is a promotion of relationship building and social awareness. So in a tongue in cheek way meant to inspire conversation, I named the joint project/business SocialBling. Considering how our culture only seems to want to talk about material things (bling) I thought I would promote relationships as an over-indulgent luxury. Everyone told me it was ridiculous ambitious. They were right, but I don’t have a fear of being wrong so it did not matter. The only thing I truly fear is being alone and I did not feel like I was doing anything that was promoting that fear so I pressed on. After all, how could someone that promotes the value of relationships as an essential element of well-being and success; who loves meeting people, helping people meet others and who loves to entertain ever end up feeling isolated? Now reading through that list I know exactly how. It is a simple equation of inclusion vs. exclusion. read more »
There is difference between connecting and networking. If you don’t believe me reflect on how you feel when you experience each one. The networking experience might bring up thoughts of events where you sport the infamous “Hello my name is” sticker while trying to figure out what you need to say to whom, carefully avoiding people who seem determined to sell you something on approach. A connecting experience might bring up thoughts of moments when you knew someone understood you, where you felt comfortable to trust and forge a relationship with them. Another difference between the two might be speed: Networking seems to be approached with speed where connecting takes some time. read more »
There is a long list of really important words and phrases that seem to be frowned upon – Commitment, Relationship, “We Need to Talk” and “It Is Not Working” comes to mind. These words bring fear to most yet without them there is not much that would get accomplished. Could you actually achieve a goal without speaking a single word? Could a plan be carried out with commitment? Can you learn what works without exploring what does not? read more »
