How to Improve Your Communication Skills with Kelly D. Parker

In this episode of Career Thrivers, we speak with Kelly D. Parker, a marketing professional, consultant, and confidence coach that teaches professionals, entrepreneurs, and speakers the keys to effective communication. As a professional speaker, Kelly has had 15 years of experience presenting at colleges, churches, and corporations. She has leveraged her communication skills to garner support for key business initiatives and influence C-level executives and has worked with prestigious global powerhouses such as Sherwin-Williams, Cleveland Clinic, and American Greetings. Listen in as Kelly shares how she made the transition from a corporate employee to business owner and highly-sought-after speaker and coach, how she achieves work-life synergy, her tips for becoming a better communicator whether onstage or at work, and why it’s time to stop apologizing for yourself. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  ●      Kelly’s backstory   ●      How Kelly navigates being a wife, mom of three, and business owner   ●      Building your confidence as a speaker   ●      Improving your communication skills as a professional   ●      Why you shouldn’t second-guess your impulse to share your thoughts   ●      One thing that has surprised Kelly after working with countless speakers   ●      How leaders can be more inclusive in the workplace   ●      What being a thriver means to Kelly   Memorable Quotes: “I think there’s that moment that we all come to when we work in corporate or for someone elsewhere we realize, ‘This isn’t my house.’”   “When you take that role, think about what you’re going to get out; but you better be thinking about what you’re going to have to put in, because some of these folks want everything—they want all of you. You have to sit with yourself before you sign on the dotted line to understand, ‘Is that what I’m willing to give? Is that going to fulfill me, holistically?’”   “Good communication is not about perfection; it’s about connection.”   “Speaking is leading. If you plan to be an effective leader, you better be a good speaker—you better be a good communicator.”   “Your life is a manifestation of what you’ve been rehearsing.”   “Look at the track record of all the things that you accomplished in your life, of all the different milestones that you have had, and understand that whenever you show up, you elevate the room. So, it is the room’s privilege to hear what you have to say. Why are you withholding off of some imaginary stuff? Why don’t you go ahead and bless the room with what you have to say and let the chips fall wherever they may? Amen!”   Connect with Kelly on Instagram or LinkedIn.

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