Episode 10 - How to connect better with other people with Kat Vellos

Connection is at the very heart of storytelling… and our lives. 

What does it really look like to create meaningful connections with other people—including friends, teammates, colleagues, employees, community members, and the audience you want to reach?

If there’s a go-to expert on this subject, it’s Kat Vellos. 

Kat is a trusted name on the power of cultivating meaningful friendships. 

In her former career, Kat made software more user-friendly at large companies you’ve heard of, but these days she makes life more friendly for the thousands of people and work teams who use her guidance to cultivate fulfilling friendships and colleagueships.

Kat’s a speaker, facilitator, and author of the book, We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships. Her writing is read in over 100 countries and she’s been interviewed by The New York Times, NPR, Communication Arts, The Good Life Project, and many more. 

I met Kat years ago at a conference (UX Week) when she attended my workshop on storytelling for designers, and in 2022 she presented as an expert guest at my Storytelling Mastery Summit. When I started this podcast I *knew* I had to have her on as a guest. 

In our discussion, we cover…

• The three little words you should probably use WAY less often.
• How to carve out a niche or specialty for yourself simply by asking questions… and why it’s better to follow your curiosity rather than “follow your passion”.
• Why friendship matters, both in and out of the workplace.
• What healthy teams and “colleagueships” look like, and how to cultivate healthy relationships in the workplace.
• Why bonds among people and healthy colleagueships are essential for teams and businesses to thrive.
• Why it really is “lonely at the top”, why leaders often suffer loneliness in silence, and how to get support. 
• What to do if you feel lonely or disconnected at work.
• How to walk the line of connecting authentically, while still remaining professional and reserved "enough" in a leadership role.  
• For introverts: How to connect with other people — and even market yourself! — AND protect your energy and battery life. 

All that and more! If you want to connect with other people authentically and effectively, be sure to listen to this episode. 

And, be sure to find Kat at www.Katvellos.com or at www.weshouldgettogether.com