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Colette Carlson, CSP, CPAE

Business Communication & Human Behavior Expert

Colette Carlson, a Human Behavior Expert, CSP & CPAE Hall of Fame speaker, is known for helping leaders, teams, and organizations activate The Human Edge™—the critical strategies that strengthen trust, foster connection, and elevate performance in an increasingly automated, fast-paced world.

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Bio

Colette Carlson, a Human Behavior Expert and CPAE Hall of Fame keynote speaker, is known for helping leaders, teams, and organizations activate The Human Edge™—the critical strategies that strengthen trust, foster connection, and elevate performance in an increasingly automated, fast-paced world.

With her signature blend of humor, heart, and high-impact storytelling, Colette delivers deeply customized keynote experiences rooted in communication psychology, audience interviews, and current research. Her energetic, engaging, and interactive delivery style consistently earns top ratings and repeat invitations across industries.

Since founding her company, Speak Your Truth, Inc., Colette has delivered hundreds of keynote programs across five continents. Her content is shaped by decades of conversations—with executives, emerging leaders, sales professionals, and frontline teams—giving her a rare, real-world understanding of the human dynamics at play in today’s workplaces. Combined with her Master’s Degree in Human Behavior, this lived research enables Colette to provide both strategic insight and practical, actionable solutions.

Her trusted clientele includes industry giants like Microsoft, PepsiCo, FedEx, ExxonMobil, Procter & Gamble, Fidelity, Costco, and Domino’s.

Colette holds the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation—an earned honor held by fewer than 10% of professional speakers worldwide, recognizing a consistent track record of excellence and impact. She has also been inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, a recognition that honors professional speakers who have reached the top echelon of career excellence.

Attendees consistently leave Colette’s sessions energized and equipped with both the mindset and skillset to improve communication, deepen engagement, and lead with intention—key components of The Human Edge™ that drive both personal growth and organizational results.

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Keynotes

Featured Keynote

The Human Edge™ - Impactful Leadership: Master Connection. Build Trust. Future-Proof Your Team
The future isn’t just digital—it’s deeply human. In an era defined by rapid change, advancing technology, and generational diversity, it’s not just what leaders know, but how they connect that creates impact.

The Human Edge™ of Leadership equips leaders with the essential human-centric skills needed to foster trust, belonging, and performance in today’s complex workplace. From hybrid dynamics to high expectations, employees need leaders who communicate with clarity, compassion, and courage.

Rooted in neuroscience and real-world strategies, this research-based program helps leaders raise the quality of conversations to meet the moment—and lead with presence, purpose, and emotional intelligence.

Because people don’t just want to be managed.
They want to be seen, supported, and inspired.
Key Takeaways:

Emotional Agility - Elevate your emotional intelligence to better navigate change, reduce friction, and create a connected, resilient team culture.

Conversation that Moves People - Learn actionable, human-first techniques to spark meaningful dialogue, deepen trust, and drive accountability without micromanaging.

Psychological Safety as a Leadership Strategy - Create a safe space where people speak up, bring ideas forward, and feel valued for who they are—not just what they do.

Strength-Spotting & Storytelling - Become a Human Highlighter® who authentically acknowledges progress and potential to boost motivation and morale.

Cultivating a Culture of Growth - Lead in a way that grows people—not just performance—so individuals and teams thrive under your leadership.

Real influence starts with real connection. Build yours with The Human Edge™ of Leadership.

The Human Edge™ - Sales Success: Influence Faster. Connect Deeper. Win More.
The Human Edge™ - Sales Success: Influence Faster. Connect Deeper. Win More.
Sales success isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about opening relationships.

In a world of inbox overload, AI-generated everything, and rising buyer skepticism, the differentiator is no longer just product knowledge or persistence. It’s your ability to connect human-to-human.

The Human Edge^TM of Sales equips sales professionals with the mindset and skillset to lead richer conversations that break through noise, build trust faster, and deepen relationships that drive long-term loyalty.

Rooted in behavioral science and practical strategy, this uplifting and results-focused session challenges outdated sales habits and replaces them with emotionally intelligent, buyer-centric communication. Drive connection, loyalty, and results through meaningful, modern conversations.

Because in today’s trust-fragile environment, how you show up matters more than what you sell.

Key Takeaways:

From Transaction to Transformation - Learn how to move beyond scripts and surface-level pitches to create meaningful, memorable customer connections.

Protect Your Priorities - Adopt a mindset that filters distractions and focuses time and activity on what moves sales forward.

Strategic Curiosity - Ask better, deeper questions that uncover real needs, shift buying hesitations, and reveal opportunities others miss.

Empathy in Action - Listen beyond the words. Strengthen emotional engagement by understanding what customers truly value.

Stories that Sell (and Stick) - Harness the power of storytelling to illustrate impact, inspire action, and emotionally resonate with your audience.

Modern Trust-Building Techniques - Use verbal, visual, and digital cues—especially in virtual selling—to build credibility and reduce buyer resistance.

Sales isn’t just about influence—it’s about impact. Get there faster with The Human Edge™
The Human Edge™ Thriving Teams: Connect Authentically. Collaborate Fearlessly. Achieve Collectively
The Human Edge™ Thriving Teams: Connect Authentically. Collaborate Fearlessly. Achieve Collectively
Teams don’t thrive by chance—they thrive by choice, awareness, and courageous communication.

In a workplace shaped by disruption, hybrid dynamics, and relentless pressure to perform, the most impactful teams are grounded in trust, fueled by emotional intelligence, and united by a shared sense of purpose.

The Human Edge™ of Thriving Teams equips leaders and contributors with actionable tools to deepen connection, foster a climate of psychological safety, and embrace change with confidence and clarity. This dynamic, insight-rich session blends science-backed strategies with relatable storytelling to unlock what every high-performing team needs most: trust, truth, and tenacity.

Because success today isn’t just about what we do—it’s how we show up for each other while doing it.

Key Takeaways:

Psychological Safety in Action - Foster an environment where team members feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks—without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Emotional Intelligence that Elevates - Strengthen your self-awareness and empathy to build better relationships, defuse tension, and navigate change with composure.

Courageous Conversations - Replace silence or surface-level dialogue with meaningful conversations that move collaboration—and culture—forward.

Change Agility - Shift from resistance to resilience. Learn strategies that help your team adapt and thrive in the face of constant change and uncertainty.

Trust That Transforms - Build a culture where trust isn’t a buzzword—it’s a behavior. Learn everyday habits that reinforce accountability, connection, and confidence.

Aligned Accountability - Move from “me” to “we” thinking. Discover how to co-create shared goals, expectations, and feedback loops that drive collective achievement.

It’s not just what your team does—it’s how they connect, communicate, and collaborate that determines how far they go. Thrive together with The Human Edge™.
The Human Edge™ resilient performance Train Your Brain. Fuel Your Focus. Stretch Your Edge.
The Human Edge™ resilient performance Train Your Brain. Fuel Your Focus. Stretch Your Edge.
Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a warning light.

In today’s boundary-blurred, always-on world, thriving at work requires more than just grit. It demands intention, emotional agility, and the ability to shift from reactive to resilient—on repeat.

The Human Edge™ of Resilient Performance is a powerful and practical experience that helps individuals take back control of their time, energy, and mental clarity. Whether you’re navigating high-stakes deadlines, nonstop change, or the daily demands of hybrid life, this program provides the mindset reset and science-backed tools to stay focused, fueled, and forward-moving.

And unlike machines, humans aren’t designed to run 24/7. We require reflection, recalibration, and connection—this session shows you how to access all three.

Through relatable storytelling, brain science, and immediately usable techniques, participants will leave with a renewed sense of agency—and the strategies to lead themselves and others from burnout to breakthrough.

Because it’s not just about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward with purpose and power.

Key Takeaways:

Focus on What You Can Control - Interrupt stress spirals by mastering mental filters that help you channel focus where it matters most.

Mindset Reset - Rewire your inner narrative and replace unhelpful patterns with empowering, science-backed reframes.

Energy Intelligence - Learn how to manage your energy—not just your time—by recognizing burnout cues and proactively restoring mental fuel.

Resilience Rituals - Build micro-habits that increase emotional endurance, improve clarity, and bring you back to center—even on tough days.

Support that Sticks - Create psychological safety for yourself and others by identifying what you need—and learning how to ask for it without guilt.

Stretch Your Edge - Adopt a growth mindset that helps you embrace discomfort, increase adaptability, and transform challenges into growth.

Machines don’t burn out—but they don’t innovate, adapt, or connect either. Build the mindset only humans can master with The Human Edge™.
The Human Edge™ Empowered Leadership For Women Own Your Value. Cultivate Connections. Influence with Impact.
The Human Edge™ Empowered Leadership For Women Own Your Value. Cultivate Connections. Influence with Impact.
You don’t need to become someone else to lead—you just need to fully own who you already are.

In a world still catching up to equity, women leaders often navigate a dual reality: extraordinary capability, paired with invisible challenges. From outdated biases and double standards to balancing boldness with likability, the path to leadership can feel like walking a tightrope.

The Human Edge™ of Empowered Leadership for Women equips participants with the clarity, confidence, and communication skills to lead with presence, elevate their influence, and claim their seat at any table—without compromising authenticity.

This empowering, research-backed session is designed for women at all career stages and delivers actionable strategies for navigating the real dynamics of work and leadership. Through the lens of emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, and connection, participants will learn how to turn challenges into catalysts—and show up with unapologetic impact.

Because leadership isn’t just about rising—it’s about rising while lifting others.

Key Takeaways:

Strategic Self-Worth - Silence the inner critic. Identify and own your value—then communicate it with clarity and conviction.

Purposeful Connection - Build relationships that open doors, offer support, and fuel your influence—without networking that feels transactional.

Commanding Communication - Speak up without shrinking back. Learn high-impact messaging techniques to be heard, respected, and remembered.

Mastering the Ask - Negotiate, advocate, and navigate critical conversations with confidence and composure.

Resilience on Repeat - Build the emotional endurance to move through challenges, navigate change, and bounce forward—not just back.

From Limits to Leverage - Identify unconscious scripts, redefine boundaries, and take bold steps toward growth—even when the path isn’t clearly paved.

Empowered women lead louder, rise higher, and bring others with them. Unleash your Human Edge™ and lead from your full power.

Topics

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Colette Carlson Speaker Reel

Virtual Reel Colette Carlson, MA, CSP, CPAE

7 Communication Strategies for Virtual Meetings

The recent pandemic has forced our hand to rely on technology over in-person meetings, events or conferences. To continue to connect, inform, and inspire others, everyone must up their virtual meeting game.

May I Ask Where you Gathered That Information?

“May I ask where you gathered that information? I'd like to learn more.” It is a simple, straightforward statement that should be on everyone's lips, and yet the general lack of facts in regard to just about anything is tearing so many of us apart. When all is said and done, the simple, innocent phrase, “May I ask where you gathered that information? I'd like to learn more,” may be the best possible approach to clarify and verify.

5 Ways Leaders Show Respect

Without respect, relationships falter. Here's five strategies to up your ability to show respect and build deeper relationships.

7 Thoughtful Ways to Stress Less

Up your connection quotient and lower your stress with these seven strategies.

Too Much Tech to Connect? 4 Strategies to Reconnect

Avoid these relationship barriers that prevent richer relationships and connection.

7 Keys to a Flawless Conversations

Why not connect through conversational strategies?

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Colette Carlson is one of my all-time favorite keynote speakers! She engages the audience like no other and has you on your feet making organic connections with other attendees! This is the second time we brought Colette back to the stage to come and educate a very senior audience of investment professionals and she once again received top ratings! If you're looking for a keynote who can discuss leadership and connecting look no further. Her presentation skills are very dynamic and she is fun, entertaining and brilliant! She delivered such thoughtful and genuine content and will customize her presentation to the industry that you are in. Our members really resonated with her presentation. I have been recruiting speakers for over 28 years and people like Colette Carlson do not come around often! She's a rockstar to me! Thank you, Colette, for making the trip to Nashville we can't wait to have you again in the future!

Andrea Szigethy - Founder & CEO, Academy for Institutional Investors, LLC

Colette is a truly world-class keynote speaker. Her message and ability within the presentation to connect with our audience of Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub leadership was extraordinary. I was impressed by her preparation prior to the conference which was evident in the relevance of her material woven through her time on stage. The feedback was universally positive with many referencing elements of the presentation through the rest of the conference. I highly and wholeheartedly recommend her!!!

Craig Barber, CEO, Restaurant Growth Services, LLC

I've worked with keynote speakers for many years, and regardless of how good they are, it is always a challenge to create a line of sight between their remarks and the mission and priorities of our organization. Colette Carlson is undoubtedly an exception to that. She researched our organization, spoke to some of our associates, and tailored her remarks to speak to the mission, goals, concerns, and hopes of Junior Achievement and its associates. Feedback from attendees place her as one of the best speakers we have ever had. She was a delight to work with, and I highly recommend her.

Ed Grocholski, Chief Marketing Office, Junior Achievement USA

Colette delivered two keynote addresses at our National Sales Meeting, "Stress less, Connect more" and "Stop transacting, start connecting"- I'm not quite sure which one resonated more with our team- they were both exceptional! I have hosted and attended sales meetings for over 3 decades, Colette's presentations were the best. Colette was able to connect with our Account Executives on an entirely different level than other keynote speakers with ALL in attendance feeling that Colette was talking directly to "them". This connection was the result of Colette working directly with me and others within our organization to understand our culture, sales strategy, differentiators and customers. Colette was able to seamlessly incorporate many of these points into her keynote. I would highly recommend Colette as a keynote speaker at your next sales meeting,

Greg Wittlinger, VP Sales at MDC Wallcoverings

Colette was the keynote speaker at our annual meeting this year. Our group is a team of 75 seasoned consultants who spend a significant portion of their waking hours supporting clients in transformative and stressful situations. Ahead of her session, Colette made sure to speak with selected members of the team to understand our circumstances, gain familiarity with our vocabulary, and customize her talking points to address our needs. This attention to our specific situation led to a highly effective discussion. The event itself was high energy, engaging, and impactful (I did not see anyone looking at their phones). Following the session, I was approached by many team members who reflected on the applicability of the content and the high energy way Colette delivered the message. I am happy to recommend Colette. She is now part of our extended friends and family.

Jeff Shaffer, Manager Director at Alvarez & Marsal

Colette's ability to connect with McKesson's US Pharm leadership team was truly remarkable. Her expertise in resilience and leading through change is unmatched. Colette skillfully guided us through the importance of connection and navigating the ever-changing landscape of life and business. She provided practical strategies and actionable steps that empowered us to not only survive, but thrive in the face of adversity. What truly set her apart was her ability to infuse positivity and optimism into her message, along with tailoring it for our audience and business. Her energy was infectious, leaving us all feeling invigorated and eager to embrace change as an opportunity for growth and success. Her skit was also unmatched and really got the audience engaged and laughing! I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking guidance and inspiration in navigating the challenges of life and leadership.

Joe Urby, Director, US Pharm McKesson

Colette spoke recently at the LeadingAge PA Virtual Conference Experience. Colette has received rave reviews from our membership. Senior living providers have been under attack in the media lately and Colette's keynote was the perfect way to celebrate the amazing work they have done! She offered a way for all of us to realize that taking care of ourselves is just as important as taking care of others. Colette did extensive research into our field and was able to reach through the virtual environment to make each person feel like you were having a personal conversation with a friend. We laughed, we cried and we learned. If you want a great keynote to celebrate people, have fun and walk away uplifted, book Colette for your event, you will not be disappointed.

LeadingAge, SVP and COO Luanne Reese

Colette recently spoke to our team about the importance of relationships and how to better cultivate and manage them. She had her work cut out for her - she was asked to present via Teams and it was a mixed audience including sales, engineering, department heads and senior management, and yet she found a way to deliver a message that resonated with the entire group. Everybody took something from her presentation. Leading up to the event, she did her work with pre-calls, email and text exchanges to ensure she understood our business, culture and challenges. She was engaging, relatable, high energy and an absolute professional. I enthusiastically recommend her as a speaker if you are looking for someone to deliver a message with lasting impact.

Michael Newcome, VP of Sales, JLS Automation

We had the pleasure of having Colette speak to our sales team of about 1000 people, and she was fantastic! She worked really well with our leadership team before the meeting to tailor and personalize her message and that really separated her from other speakers. Additionally, she has a great blend of serious content mixed in humor to keep the audience engaged the whole time. We polled our team after our meetings on all content and Colette scored as "highly impactful" and the comments were all extremely complimentary. I would highly recommend her as a speaker for your next engagement!

Ryan Steck, Executive Director, Strategic Marketing, Henry Schein

Who wants a speaker that is witty, intelligent and engaging? We did and we found her! Colette nailed the opening keynote presentation at our annual management conference. She spent time tailoring her presentation to our participants, not only meeting with us, but also contacting several of our members prior to completing her presentation. It was the next best thing to having her boots on the ground in our district. Participants loved the presentation and left with several take-aways. Working with her was a fantastic experience.

Susan Day, CMP Meeting & Event Mgr, Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka

4.60/5.00 weighted feedback score. See full survey results under "files" tab.

Kelly Stahl, Wisconsin Realtor's Association

Colette was great! Her session was fun, entertaining, humorous and most importantly educational! Our attendees loved her session. Colette connected with the audience and engaged them. It was wonderful to see a speaker like Colette who had really done her research about our organization, our attendees and who they are and what they do. She just didn’t throw a few key words into her presentation so that it would sound like “it fit”. She actually did her research and knew what she was talking about in terms of this audience. That really helped the audience connect with her as she was able to relate to them, their businesses and our industry! I had a number of our attendees come up to me and tell me how much they enjoyed her session. I personally enjoyed her session very much! She is a high energy, well –spoken, professional speaker/trainer.

Kim Specht, Ensemble Travel Group

Colette was fantastic! everyone really enjoyed her presentation and continued to speak about her content throughout the retreat. I would highly recommend Colette to anyone.

Stacy Coleman, SSM Health Care of Oklahoma, Inc., an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation, owning and operating St. Anthony Hospital

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Colette Carlson, CSP, CPAE

Bio

Keynotes

The Human Edge™ - Impactful Leadership: Master Connection. Build Trust. Future-Proof Your Team

Topics

4.60/5.00 weighted feedback score. See full survey results under "files" tab.

Colette was fantastic! everyone really enjoyed her presentation and continued to speak about her content throughout the retreat. I would highly recommend Colette to anyone.

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Rachel DeAlto

Dan Lier

Let's find your perfect speaker!

Explore

Quick Links

Keep Up To Date

Colette Carlson, CSP, CPAE

Bio

Keynotes

The Human Edge™ - Impactful Leadership: Master Connection. Build Trust. Future-Proof Your Team

The Human Edge™ - Sales Success: Influence Faster. Connect Deeper. Win More.

The Human Edge™ Thriving Teams: Connect Authentically. Collaborate Fearlessly. Achieve Collectively

The Human Edge™ resilient performance Train Your Brain. Fuel Your Focus. Stretch Your Edge.

The Human Edge™ Empowered Leadership For Women Own Your Value. Cultivate Connections. Influence with Impact.

Topics

4.60/5.00 weighted feedback score. See full survey results under "files" tab.

Colette was fantastic! everyone really enjoyed her presentation and continued to speak about her content throughout the retreat. I would highly recommend Colette to anyone.

Similar Speakers

Rachel DeAlto

Dan Lier

Let's find your perfect speaker!

Explore

Quick Links

Keep Up To Date