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Colette Carlson

Human Behavior Expert | Hall of Fame Speaker | Connected Leaderhip

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Colette Carlson is a human behavior expert and Hall of Fame keynote speaker who is acclaimed for her transformative approach in cultivating human-centric workplaces that turbocharge business results. Colette’s presentations captivate audiences with her unparalleled energy and humor, engaging interaction, extensive customization, research-backed strategies, and the call to action for personal and professional success.
 

Since founding her company, Speak Your Truth, Inc., Colette has delivered hundreds of customized keynote programs across five continents, grounded in extensive interviews with leaders, sales professionals, and frontline employees across diverse industries. Colette’s trusted
clientele includes industry giants like Microsoft, Pepsi, FedEx, Exxon Mobil, Costco, Procter & Gamble, Fidelity, and Domino’s.
 

With a Master’s Degree in Human Behavior and more than 20 years of experience helping individuals prioritize intentional, impactful communication that builds trust, fuels engagement, and increases performance, Colette understands the skills required to thrive in today’s modern, changing world.
 

Colette is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), a designation held by fewer than 10% of the members belonging to the International Federation for Professional Speakers, and was also inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, a recognition that honors professional speakers who have reached the top echelon of career excellence.

Speaking Topics

THE HUMAN EDGE™OF IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP: Master Connection, Build Trust, And Future-Proof Your Team

The future isn't just digital—it’s deeply human. In an era defined by rapid change, advancing technology, and generational diversity, it’s not just what leaders know, but how they connect that creates impact.


The Human Edge™of Leadership equips leaders with the essential human-centric skills needed to foster trust, belonging, and performance in today’s complex workplace. From hybrid dynamics to high expectations, employees need leaders who communicate with clarity, compassion, and courage.


Rooted in neuroscience and real-world strategies, this research-based program helps leaders raise the quality of conversations to meet the moment—and lead with presence, purpose, and emotional intelligence. Because people don’t just want to be managed. They want to be seen, supported, and inspired.


Key Takeaways:


Emotional Agility

Elevate your emotional intelligence to better navigate change, reduce friction, and create a connected, resilient team culture.


Conversation that Moves People

Learn actionable, human-first techniques to spark meaningful dialogue, deepen trust, and drive accountability without micromanaging.


Psychological Safety as a Leadership Strategy

Create a safe space where people feel empowered to speak up, share their ideas, and be valued for who they are—not just what they do.


Strength-Spotting & Storytelling

Become a Human Highlighter® who authentically acknowledges progress and potential to boost motivation and morale.


Cultivating a Culture of Growth

Lead in a way that grows people—not just performance —so individuals and teams thrive under your leadership.

THE HUMAN EDGE™OF SALES SUCCESS: Influence Faster, Connect Deeper, And Win More

Sales success isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about opening relationships In a world of inbox overload, AI-generated everything, and rising buyer skepticism, the differentiator is no longer just product knowledge or persistence. It’s your ability to connect human-to-human.


The Human Edge™ of Sales equips sales professionals with the mindset and skillset to lead richer conversations that break through noise, build trust faster, and deepen relationships that drive long-term loyalty.


Rooted in behavioral science and practical strategy, this uplifting and results-focused session challenges outdated sales habits and replaces them with emotionally intelligent, buyer-centric communication. Drive connection, loyalty, and results through meaningful, modern conversations. Because in today’s trust-fragile environment, how you show up matters more than what you sell.


Key Takeaways:


From Transaction to Transformation

Learn how to move beyond scripts and surface-level pitches to create meaningful, memorable customer connections.


Protect Your Priorities

Adopt a mindset that filters distractions and focuses time and activity on what moves sales forward.


Strategic Curiosity

Ask better, deeper questions that uncover real needs, shift buying hesitations, and reveal opportunities others miss.


Empathy in Action

Listen beyond the words. Strengthen emotional engagement by understanding what customers truly value.


Stories that Sell (and Stick)

Harness the power of storytelling to illustrate impact, inspire action, and emotionally resonate with your audience.


Modern Trust-Building Techniques

Use verbal, visual, and digital cues—especially in virtual selling—to build credibility and reduce buyer resistance.

THE HUMAN EDGE™OF THRIVING TEAMS: Connect Authentically, Collaborate Fearlessly, And Achieve Collectively

Teams don’t thrive by chance—they thrive by choice, awareness, and courageous communication. In a workplace shaped by disruption, hybrid dynamics, and relentless pressure to perform, the most impactful teams are grounded in trust, fueled by emotional intelligence, and united by a shared sense of purpose.


The Human Edge™ of Thriving Teams equips leaders and contributors with actionable tools to deepen connection, foster a climate of psychological safety, and embrace change with confidence and clarity. This dynamic, insight-rich session blends science-backed strategies with relatable storytelling to unlock what every high-performing team needs most: trust, truth, and tenacity. Because success today isn’t just about what we do— it’s how we show up for each other while doing it.


Key Takeaways:


Psychological Safety in Action

Foster an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks—without fear of judgment or retaliation.


Emotional Intelligence that Elevates

Strengthen your self-awareness and empathy to build better relationships, defuse tension, and navigate change with composure.


Courageous Conversations

Replace silence or surface-level dialogue with meaningful conversations that move collaboration—and culture—forward.


Change Agility

Shift from resistance to resilience. Learn strategies that help your team adapt and thrive in the face of constant change and uncertainty.


Trust That Transforms

Build a culture where trust isn’t a buzzword—it’s a behavior. Learn everyday habits that reinforce accountability, connection, and confidence.


Aligned Accountability

Move from “me” to “we” thinking. Discover how to co-create shared goals, expectations, and feedback loops that drive collective achievement.

THE HUMAN EDGE™OF RESILIENT PERFORMANCE: Train Your Brain, Fuel Your Focus, And Stretch Your Edge

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a warning light. In today’s boundary-blurred, always-on world, thriving at work requires more than just grit. It demands intention, emotional agility, and the ability to shift from reactive to resilient—on repeat.


The Human Edge™ of Resilient Performance is a powerful and practical experience that helps individuals take back control of their time, energy, and mental clarity. Whether you're navigating high-stakes deadlines, nonstop change, or the daily demands of hybrid life, this program provides the mindset reset and science-backed tools to stay focused, fueled, and forward-moving.


And unlike machines, humans aren’t designed to run 24/7. We require reflection, recalibration, and connection—this session shows you how to access all three. Through relatable storytelling, brain science, and immediately usable techniques, participants will leave with a renewed sense of agency—and the strategies to lead themselves and others from burnout to breakthrough. Because it’s not just about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward with purpose and power.


Key Takeaways:


Focus on What You Can Control

Interrupt stress spirals by mastering mental filters that help you channel focus where it matters most.


Mindset Reset

Rewire your inner narrative and replace unhelpful patterns with empowering, science-backed reframes. Energy Intelligence Learn how to manage your energy—not just your time—by recognizing burnout cues and proactively restoring mental fuel.


Resilience Rituals

Build micro-habits that increase emotional endurance, improve clarity, and bring you back to center—even on tough days.


Support that Sticks

Create psychological safety for yourself and others by identifying what you need—and learning how to ask for it without guilt.


Stretch Your Edge

Adopt a growth mindset that helps you embrace discomfort, increase adaptability, and transform challenges into growth.

THE HUMAN EDGE™OF EMPOWERED LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN: Own Your Value, Cultivate Connections, And Influence With Impact

You don’t need to become someone else to lead—you just need to fully own who you already are. In a world still catching up to equity, women leaders often navigate a dual reality: extraordinary capability, paired with invisible challenges. From outdated biases and double standards to balancing boldness with likability, the path to leadership can feel like walking a tightrope.


The Human Edge™ of Empowered Leadership for Women equips participants with the clarity, confidence, and communication skills to lead with presence, elevate their influence, and claim their seat at any table—without compromising authenticity.


This empowering, research-backed session is designed for women at all career stages and delivers actionable strategies for navigating the real dynamics of work and leadership. Through the lens of emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, and connection, participants will learn how to turn challenges into catalysts—and show up with unapologetic impact. Because leadership isn’t just about rising—it’s about rising while lifting others.


Key Takeaways:


Strategic Self-Worth

Silence the inner critic. Identify and own your value—then communicate it with clarity and conviction.


Purposeful Connection

Build relationships that open doors, offer support, and fuel your influence—without networking that feels transactional.


Commanding Communication

Speak up without shrinking back. Learn high-impact messaging techniques to be heard, respected, and remembered.


Mastering the Ask

Negotiate, advocate, and navigate critical conversations with confidence and composure.


Resilience on Repeat

Build the emotional endurance to move through challenges, navigate change, and bounce forward—not just back.


From Limits to Leverage

Identify unconscious scripts, redefine boundaries, and take bold steps toward growth—even when the path isn’t clearly paved.

Colette Carlson's Experiences

EXPERIENCE DETAILS

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Virtual In-Person

Experience Details

Virtual In-Person
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Testimonials

"Colette’s engaging style and creative virtual presentation made our event a great success!The post-event survey identified her as the most highly-rated session, and rated her as the"highlight" of the entire two-day Learning and Development program!"

"After two days of education focused on improving patient safety and health care quality, Colette’s closing keynote brought an element of positive inspiration and humor to a crowd of 500 health care executives! The post event evaluation identified her as the most highly rated speaker, and it was no surprise given her ability to tailor the content to meet the needs of our audience."

"Colette recently spoke for us as the Opening Keynote Speaker and Virtual Chat Emcee/Moderator of our first virtual IAEE Women's Leadership Forum and as always, she was AMAZING! I have used Colette numerous times in my career and she never disappoints; True professional when it comes to presenting virtually. I always know I can count on her to do what's needed to make our program a huge success! Always on point, providing leadership tips to women; she is top notch, has a true pulse on what our attendees need and always able to engage! We love Colette!"

"We had Colette Carlson back for our Annual Leadership Retreat. No regrets! She was spot on with her content and delivered in a way that resonated with each leader at every level of the organization. Colette has a way of connecting all the dots by combining her knowledge and expertise peppered with just enough humor to capture and hold the attention of the entire room. She rocked it!”

"Relatable! Colette absolutely crushed it for the opening session at our largest annual event! She is relevant, engaging, funny, and tailored her presentation to our audience perfectly.”

"Highly impactful! Colette worked with leadership to tailor her message to our 1,000 sales team members. Fantastic blend of serious content with humor to keep the audience fully engaged!"

“Colette’s ability to connect with McKesson’s US Pharm leadership team was truly remarkable. Her expertise in resilience and leading through change is unmatched. Colette skillfully guided us through the importance of connection and navigating the ever-changing landscape of life and business. She provided practical strategies and actionable steps that empowered us to not only survive, but thrive in the face of adversity. What truly set her apart was her ability to infuse positivity and optimism into her message, along with tailoring it for our audience and business. Her energy was infectious, leaving us all feeling invigorated and eager to embrace change as an opportunity for growth and success. Her skit was also unmatched and really got the audience engaged and laughing! I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking guidance and inspiration in navigating the challenges of life and leadership.”

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