Stop Faking It

In partnership with

In our conversation, she reminded me — and now I’m reminding you— that pretending drains energy, while authenticity builds trust.

As we shift from summer into fall, I’ve been asking myself: What am I falling for? 

Fall is a season of transition — leaves changes, schedules reset, and we’re invited to slow down and take stock. For me, it’s not about pumpkin spice or football kickoffs, it’s about falling back into what’s real.

I’ve fallen for my wife, Alice, all over again — choosing her company on her final set of overnights, even if it meant zig-zagging across the country. That trip wasn’t efficient, but it was authentic.

And that’s exactly what Colette Carlson challenges leaders to embrace.

Stop faking it.

Stop chasing perfect appearances.

Start choosing presence, empathy, and authenticity —event when it’s messy or inconvenient.

That’s where the real influence lives.

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Colette’s Core Insights:

Colette shared three truths every leader in transition needs to hear:

• Be real - authenticity is the foundation of influence.

• Ask for help - strength comes from support, not solitude.

• Lead with empathy - make people feel valued and heard.

These are soft skill, power moves.

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Gratitude & Welcome

A quick thank you to Hyland Software for the stage and Tyler LeBlanc at APB Speakers for arranging it. And if you’re new here from Hyland —welcome to the Elevate Life community!

You can also join us for the time being at https://www.facebook.com/groups/prospeakersociety

Engagement Question:

Now it’s your turn: What are you falling for this fall?

Hit reply — I’d love to know.

Saturday’s Sneak - Peak

This Saturday, I’ll break down the 3 Leadership Levers from Colette Carlson’s wisdom. That’s inside the Skin-in-the-Game wall: $8.95/month or $99/year, or $297 with the monthly strategy session.

Because as Colette says, it’s time to stop faking it.

Real growth requires real investment.

Thanks again to Colette for reminding us all that leadership begins with being real.

Go forth - Inspire your world