At the foundation of all thriving communities are people who care.
Every talk here works toward the same thing: people who can genuinely connect with and care for one another. But that kind of change doesn’t come from forcing behavior—it starts with what's underneath it, the beliefs and attitudes that shape how people treat each other.
Build a community people can’t wait to come back to.
“testimonial”
A growing community starts here
These hidden forces shape how people treat each other--and ultimately drive a community toward rapid growth or decline.
Best for: Membership organizations, young professional organizations, teams and volunteer groups navigating growth, change, or a culture reset.
After putting hours into your community, people still aren't engaged and leave barely knowing each other (I would know..). More events, activities, or social media posts seem like the fix. But these are not why people stay--connection and belonging are.
In this talk, I show leaders and their people how to fight the disconnection plaguing modern society. It starts with you--the thoughts and attitudes that shape how we treat each other. I show how we begin to shift them and build a community people can't wait to come back to.
You'll hear powerful personal stories, practical strategies, and clearly distilled research. Expect a few uncomfortable moments of recognition and a shift in the way you see the world.
Key Takeaways:
The one thing that impacts social behavior most--it's not what you'd expect
The trait that matters most in creating connection and belonging--and how to develop it
Why some communities stagnate (despite great intentions), while others thrive
How to overcome forces that might be keeping you isolated
Who You're Becoming
You're being shaped daily by what you give your attention to. How using it intentionally steers you toward the person you want to be.
Best for:
Membership organizations, associations, young professional organizations, and schools looking for more participation.
After putting real effort into your growth and relationships, you might still feel scattered, stuck in the same patterns, or pulled toward people that don't actually serve you. You might have excellent intentions, but slowly become someone you never wanted to be.
Thankfully, this can be avoided.
The fastest route of change, and the one that leads us toward a better life, is one that people most often miss.
Real change doesn't start with more willpower. It starts with getting honest about where your attention actually goes, and choosing to redirect it towards the right things.
Expect a blend of personal story, well-established research, and most importantly, empathy that makes an audience feel seen.
Key takeaways:
One input that shapes you more than anything else
The daily habit that determines who you're becoming—and how to change it
How to take back control of the forces quietly shaping your life
How the company you keep impacts your trajectory