Susan McPherson: Creating real connections that count

What does the Queen of Connections do in a pandemic? Join Laura Gassner Otting as she hosts this episode of LGOtv with special guest, Susan McPherson – Serial Connector, Social Impact Leader, Pup Lover.

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships. Susan has 25+ years of experience in marketing, public relations, and sustainability communications, speaking regularly at industry conferences, and contributing to the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes. Susan is a Vital Voices global corporate ambassador and has received numerous accolades for her voice on social media platforms from Fortune Magazine, Fast Company and Elle Magazine. She resides in Brooklyn.

0:00 Intro
1:43 Getting paid to meet strangers in hotel lobbies
2:17 Why do you do what you do?
2:33 Networking vs. Connection
5:22 Are you following or connecting?
6:30 Take advantage of Social Media to gather information to build relationships
8:22 “Dear Susan…”
12:25 How to get younger generation comfortable connecting with people
13:49 “Even Queen Elizabeth Farts”
18:15 Most people want to be helpful
20:17 The “do” phase
25:40 Goal at Networking Events: Meet 3 people, Learn 3 things, Share 3 things
29:30 Social media hall of mirrors make us hide our light
33:18 Who are you – and what are you going to do with it?
40:12 Be intentional about WHO we want to reconnect with during the pandemic
44:10 Be a “Yente” connector
47:00 Listening…
50:10 Parallel Play
55:00 Top tips to stay fun while being professional

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/susanmcp1
https://www.facebook.com/susanmcpherson1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanmcpherson/
https://www.thelostartofconnecting.com/

Washington Post Best Selling Author and Motivational Keynote Speaker, Laura Gassner Otting, inspires people to push past the doubt and indecision that keep great ideas in limbo because her presentations make listeners think bigger and accept greater challenges that reach beyond their limited scope of belief. She delivers strategic thinking, well-honed wisdom, and perspective generated by decades of navigating change across the start-up, nonprofit, political, as well as philanthropic landscapes. Laura dares listeners to find their voice, and generate the confidence needed to tackle larger-than-life challenges. She leads them to seek new ways of leading, managing, and mentoring others.

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