For over 30 years, today’s guest has been challenging her clients to change old mindsets in order to meet the new challenges they are facing. She asks leaders thought-provoking questions - pushing them to find new ways to do old things - because she believes that if you ask great questions you will get great answers.

She is a “change expert” who has worked with senior leadership and middle management from a wide variety of industries, including financial institutions, healthcare, higher ed, and nonprofit. Her clients appreciate her ability to blend sound theory with a practical approach to complex issues - and they leave ready to apply what they’ve learned.

As the author of or contributor to more than 15 books, she teaches and writes about the dynamics of change, delivering effective feedback, dealing with conflict, and building high performance teams.

Her career began as a Sales Representative at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin. Just 8 years later she left the safety of an office job to become a professional speaker. She has certainly made her mark on this profession, becoming a Certified Speaking Professional in 1993, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association; she served on the board of NSA for many years, including as President in 2000-2001; and most impressively, received the prestigious Cavett Award in 2014, an award named for the founder of the National Speakers Association and given to a member who exemplifies his giving spirit.

Please join me in welcoming Chris Clarke-Epstein, CSP.

Listen, subscribe, and read show notes at www.OntheSchmooze.com - episode 23.

Welcome back to On the Schmooze. Thank you so much for joining me. Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Chris Clarke-Epstein, this week you’ll be hearing from me, your host.

Every other week I’ll be offering my take on some aspect of networking and relationship-building. These shorter podcast episodes will include practical networking tips and techniques you can put into practice right away. My hope is that insights from me and my guests will help you achieve the leadership position you’re seeking, build and sustain your professional network, and find the work/life balance that works best for you.

This week, I'll be sharing my journey from 9-5 employee to self-employed entrepreneur and how "weak ties" helped me achieve success.

Listen, subscribe, and read show notes at www.OntheSchmooze.com - look for episode 24.