Leading Through Connection: Building Trust, Influence, and Belonging
In an increasingly polarized and disconnected world, effective leadership hinges on authentic connection. This dynamic session weaves together two TED-style talks exploring the intersecting themes of curiosity and appreciation as drivers of trust, influence, and belonging. Through engaging storytelling and actionable insights, our speakers will highlight how these complementary approaches can transform relationships and amplify your leadership impact. Following the talks, join both speakers for a thought-provoking Q&A designed to deepen your understanding and help you apply these concepts to your own leadership journey.
Connections Powered by Curiosity
Sarah Manley Robertson, SCMP®
Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools for fostering connection, understanding, and influence. By developing greater self-awareness and curiosity about others—including your clients, executives, and stakeholders—you can unlock deeper rapport and build stronger relationships. This talk will explore how embracing curiosity allows you to manage reactions, tailor communication, and create meaningful connections that build trust, influence, and effectiveness. Discover how curiosity fuels authentic leadership and communication success.
Appreciation: The Key to Authentic Connection
Catherine Ducharme, PCC, CLC
Appreciation is the cornerstone of creating inclusive, connected, and thriving workplaces. Recognizing and valuing others for who they are, rather than just what they do, fosters trust and belonging while enhancing team dynamics. Drawing on compelling research and real-world examples, this talk reveals how appreciation serves as a practical leadership strategy to strengthen relationships and build high-performing teams. Walk away with actionable ways to integrate appreciation into your leadership approach, creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore how curiosity and appreciation together form the foundation of authentic connections and influence.
- Identify practical strategies for fostering trust, enhancing communication, and creating inclusive environments where team members feel valued.
- Discover how to apply appreciation and curiosity to reduce friction, build rapport, and inspire purpose-driven, high-performing teams.