1. What do you do for a living?
I am a Crisis Navigation PartnerTM. My mission is to be the go-to resource, thought partner and ally for women during personal and professional crises. These include intense, challenging situations such as a toxic work or home environment, a health or mental health diagnosis or hospitalization, a caregiver role, the death of a loved one, divorce, a stressful negotiation or dispute, a job loss, or downsizing a business.
This is not counseling, therapy, or a 24/7 helpline. Together, in a judgment-free zone, we create and implement a viable plan to move you forward. As a result of our work together, you will make better-informed decisions, feel less stress and isolation, communicate more effectively, save precious time, and lead your way through your difficult circumstances to the best possible outcome.
2. How long have you been doing what you do?
This is the new focus of my business as of summer 2019. Crisis management has been a prevailing theme of my thirty-year career. Given my personal experience, I have particular interest in supporting women who feel solo in life or work.
3. Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client is a woman professional, in the center of a crisis or one ring out from it as a caregiver or colleague. She’s smart yet always open to learning. She’s strong yet willing to be vulnerable. She’s used to juggling lots of balls but now that one more has been thrown into the mix, some are dropping to the ground. In this intense, challenging situation, she’s feeling overwhelmed, pressured to make big, important decisions quickly, and alone with her responsibilities.
4. What was your biggest take-a-way from the Virtual Networking Mastermind, and how do you incorporate it into your current networking plan?
I LOVED the mastermind! My biggest takeaway is that it’s somewhat of a waste of time to connect with new people without having a plan for getting to know them better. Now as I meet new people I invite them to have a one-on-one connection conversation. If it feels like we want to connect further, I invite them into my short Zoom course called How to Win-Win Any Difficult Conversation.
5. Brag about your award with PDP.
The women’s connection company Polka Dot Powerhouse has changed my life. I joined in late 2017 and immediately felt I’d found my tribe. Last year I started my own chapter, Greater Boston Northwest, in Arlington, Massachusetts. We grew to over 100 women in less than a year and we were tremendously honored to be named the Extraordinary New Dot Chapter of 2019!
6. Describe a successful networking experience you had.
I used to meet people I liked and then hope that magically I would stay in touch with them somehow. Thanks to participating in the mastermind, I now have a definition of a successful networking experience! Every time I meet with someone I like, I invite them to connect further. I don’t have to think about how every time, because I have a solid plan in place. I can honestly say that every networking experience I’ve had with a Dot since the mastermind has been both fun and successful.
7. Anything else you want to add to your feature.
Unfortunately, crisis is practically inevitable in a lifetime. You can anticipate and prepare for crisis by building up the three C’s:
Your Capacity
Your Community
Your Communication Skills
These resources will always serve you in life, whether or not you’re in crisis. It’s more difficult to build up your capacity, community and communication in the midst of crisis. So I suggest you continuously build up your energy, connections and ability to handle difficult conversations.
If you’d like to reach me, please see my website ConnectTwo.com. Or if you’d like to set up a time for us to speak directly, schedule a free consultation or connection call at ConnectWithDebra.com.
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