Meritahti News*

Week of December 9, 2024

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Leadership Quote of the Week

Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% what you feel about what you know.

- Jim Rohn

🔥 Insights Unleashed: A Note From Our Chief Mentor

In the world of business leadership, effective communication is not just a skill—it's a necessity. Jim Rohn's quote above is a profound insight that holds a mirror up to leaders everywhere, highlighting the pivotal role of emotion and conviction in conveying messages that resonate.

Many business leaders focus heavily on accumulating and presenting information, believing that data and facts are the cornerstone of persuasive communication. While knowledge is undeniably important, relying solely on it can lead to presentations that are informative but uninspiring. Audiences may leave with their heads filled but their hearts untouched, and without an emotional connection, the message often fails to drive action.

Rohn's quote emphasizes the significance of genuine emotion in communication. It's not just about what you know, but how you feel about what you know. When leaders speak with passion, their enthusiasm becomes contagious. This emotional engagement can inspire teams, sway stakeholders, and foster a shared vision. It's the difference between reciting a mission statement and igniting a movement.

Expressing genuine feelings about your knowledge demonstrates authenticity—a trait highly valued in leadership. When audiences perceive sincerity, trust is established. This trust becomes the foundation for stronger relationships, open dialogue, and collaborative progress. Leaders who communicate with authenticity are more likely to motivate their teams and gain buy-in for their ideas.

One practical way to infuse emotion into communication is through storytelling. Sharing personal experiences, successes, and even failures can humanize a leader, making their message more relatable. Stories tap into universal emotions, creating memorable moments that reinforce the core message and encourage audience engagement on a deeper level.

To harness the 80% that Rohn refers to, leaders must develop their emotional intelligence. This involves being aware of their own emotions, understanding how these emotions affect others, and effectively managing emotional dynamics during communication. By doing so, leaders can adapt their messaging to resonate with diverse audiences, ensuring that their passion aligns with the needs and values of those they are addressing.

Jim Rohn's wisdom serves as a powerful reminder that effective communication extends beyond the mere transmission of information. For business leaders aiming to make a lasting impact, it's essential to couple knowledge with heartfelt conviction. By embracing how they feel about what they know, leaders can transform their public speaking from mundane to inspirational, driving meaningful change within their organizations and beyond.

What do you think? Email me at molly@vellamo-leadership.com.

Chief Mentor

Molly Gimmel

💡 Gems of Wisdom

Here are some impactful articles I've found lately about leadership. Let me know which one resonates with you and how you're going to wield its insights in your leadership journey. Email me at molly@vellamo-leadership.com or just Reply to this email.

🎫 Free Event Tickets

I'm keynoting at the AICPA's Future of Finance conference on December 13 in Coronado, California. As part of my speaker package, I get a few free tickets to give to friends who want to attend. Is that you? Email me at molly@vellamo-leadership.com. You can get more information about the conference here.

📚 What I'm Reading Now

Over decades of research, speaking engagements, and mentorship, psychologist and professor Alison Fragale encountered recurring questions from high powered and early career women alike: How do women thread the needle of kindness and competence in the workplace? How can women earn credit for their accomplishments, negotiate better, and navigate complex office politics without losing the goodwill of their peers?
Fragale investigated and determined that many women's workplace issues boil down to what psychologists call status: the perception of them by others. No amount of power-- no degree, title, or paycheck-- will raise a woman's workplace stature unless it also affects how others see her. Acknowledging this roadblock, Fragale pulls back the curtain on how we can change how others see us by developing our standing as a "likeable badass." By cultivating perceptions of warmth and assertiveness, women can achieve the kind of reputation that leads to a seat at the table and a fulfilling career path.
Likeable Badass is equal parts behavioral science and life hacks, weaving together rigorous research with actionable advice and impactful stories from a diverse array of women. This is a warm, heartening book written for women, their allies, and anyone who struggles to rise, and wants evidence-based, practical strategies for success, served with a side of inspiration and humor.

🤝 Work With Me 🤝

Working Genius Assessment & Team Coaching. I just got certified as a Working Genius Facilitator! The Six Types of Working Genius framework, created by Pat Lencioni, is different from most other assessment tests - it's 20% personality and 80% productivity, and is specially designed to help teams work together more effectively. Be one of my first clients in using the Working Genius framework - sign up by December 31st and get 50% off a team assessment and coaching session.


Leadership Coaching/Mentorship. In January, I will have two openings for new clients in my 6-month one-on-one leadership coaching/mentoring program. Reach out if you want one of the spots for yourself or one of your team members.


Speaking. I provide workshops, breakout sessions, and keynotes about leadership, mindset and related topics. I've spoken to multiple non-profit, professional association, and corporate groups, and would love to speak with yours!

For more information about any of the above, email me at molly@vellamo-leadership.com

Buy My Book!!!

Master Your Mindset

Join Molly Gimmel, Vellamo's founder, and former chairwoman of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), as she explores the unwritten rules of successful leadership.

Through interviews with powerful women from all walks of life—large corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, Hollywood, politics, and more—Gimmel reveals the mental attitudes that define effective leaders.

Filled with personal stories, humor, and profound insights from the trenches, Master Your Mindset shows you step by step how to connect with yourself and with those around you in authenticity, confidence, and integrity—to become the best leader you can be.

Buy The Book

*Meritahti News

What does Meritahti mean? 

Meritahti is the Finnish word for starfish, and since Vellamo was the ancient Finnish goddess of the sea, we decided to continue the theme with this newsletter. 

Why are we talking about starfish and goddesses?

The starfish is Vellamo's spirit animal based on this story. We want all our community members to feel important. See the starfish in our logo at the top of the page? Cool, right?

Fun fact about starfish! 

Starfish are found in a wide range of temperatures, from the polar regions to tropical seas. Some species can tolerate very low temperatures, and others thrive in warmer waters.

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