top of page
Kelli Thompson
Jan 35 min read
Ted Talk Reflections Part 3: Deliver high-stakes presentations with confidence
I was putting so much pressure on myself to nail my talk on my first try when SO MANY speakers have a slip up that is edited out.
Kelli Thompson
Dec 16, 20246 min read
Ted Talk Reflections Part 2: Deliver A Compelling Message
As it became clear that my Tedx Talk would be about what I call the “pedestal problem," I had to figure out how to tell the compelling story
Kelli Thompson
Dec 9, 20247 min read
Ted Talk Reflections Part 1: Finding Your Big Idea
Why do we we put others on a pedestal and assume they are smarter than us, and therefore, we silence our ideas?
Kelli Thompson
Aug 13, 20244 min read
How to make hard feedback easier to give
Early in my career as a leader, I knew in my head that I would have to learn to give critical feedback, but my heart just couldn't take...
Kelli Thompson
Aug 6, 20243 min read
How to Break the Overwhelm Cycle
As we approach back-to-school time, I always feel like this is the season of overwhelm for me and my clients, even if they don't have...
Kelli Thompson
Jul 30, 20244 min read
3 Ways Leaders Can Improve Coaching Skills
A client recently began her session with me saying that she wanted to talk about onboarding her newly hired employee. This new employee...
Kelli Thompson
Jul 22, 20243 min read
How do you know when it's time to quit?
Full transparency, this topic wasn't on plan for my newsletter today. However, given the news on the political sphere that erupted over...
Kelli Thompson
Jul 15, 20243 min read
What are you willing to be criticized for?
One of my clients recently had to make a hard employee hiring decision. She was faced with managing the politics of interviewing a...
Kelli Thompson
Jul 8, 20243 min read
How to be a leader who changes policy
Learn how to be a leader who changes policy.
Kelli Thompson
Jul 1, 20242 min read
My favorite mid-year planning & goal setting activity
We are officially halfway through the year! It's the time of year where most people begin to panic that they only have six months left to...
Kelli Thompson
Jun 23, 20243 min read
Rest v Recovery: Why it matters for you as a leader
One of my clients had recently come off a streak of intense work projects - ones that consumed her mind, heart and energy for far too...
Kelli Thompson
Jun 10, 20243 min read
Are you talking? Or truly contributing?
Okay be honest, how comfortable are you with silence? That uncomfortable, awkward silence that just hangs in the room (live or virtual)...
Kelli Thompson
Jun 3, 20243 min read
Counterintuitive approach to lead change & results
How do you hardwire new behaviors into your team to support a thriving culture? That was the question we worked to answer in an afternoon...
Kelli Thompson
May 27, 20243 min read
5 money conversations every woman needs to have
Don't talk about your salary. I'm not sure where the origins of the don't talk about your salary rule started, but it has fostered a...
Kelli Thompson
May 20, 20243 min read
What 3 female CEOs say is key to success
Last week I had the opportunity to moderate a panel of powerhouse CEOs in my hometown (Omaha, NE). In preparation for this panel, I met...
Kelli Thompson
May 14, 20243 min read
Real Talk About "Imposter Syndrome"
I was recently interviewed for Chief Executive Magazine, and thought the editor, Emily DeNitto, did a wonderful write up. So, I wanted to...
Kelli Thompson
Apr 29, 20243 min read
Gender norms hurt men, too (why this matters for women)
While I am a women's leadership and executive coach on a mission to help women advance to the rooms where decisions are made, in specific...
Kelli Thompson
Apr 22, 20243 min read
Closing the leadership development gap for women
When I left corporate for entrepreneurship, my father in law asked me, So what do you do? In the simplest terms, I explained to him that...
Kelli Thompson
Apr 15, 20243 min read
What is the Enneagram and Why Care?
This week, the women in my Clarity & Confidence Women's Leadership program are diving deep into their Enneagram types and it's always so...
Kelli Thompson
Apr 8, 20243 min read
Get out of your head with this simple tip
A quick note:) I am geeking out today because I am a guest on my favorite podcast, Hello Monday. Hello Monday is (in my opinion) the...
Kelli Thompson
Mar 18, 20243 min read
How simplifying can make you a more impactful leader
This Women's History Month, I am committed to sharing stories of women leaders who don't “fit the mold” in their industries, but because...
Kelli Thompson
Mar 11, 20243 min read
How To Find Your Unique Leadership Talents
How can you find that unique leadership skill is that only YOU can offer your team and your organization? Ask yourself these questions.
Kelli Thompson
Mar 5, 20244 min read
10 Questions To Build Your Leadership Legacy
All of us have the power to break a barrier and create a legacy with our leadership. You don't have to “fit the mold” to break a barrier.
Kelli Thompson
Feb 26, 20243 min read
Five Leadership Lessons In Five Years
I never set out to be an entrepreneur. In fact, I frequently remember telling people when I worked in my banking and healthcare tech...
Kelli Thompson
Feb 20, 20243 min read
Why Your "Flaws" Are Your Best Leadership Gifts
What if all the qualities you’ve been scared to demonstrate are exactly what you need to be successful? Try this reframe.
Kelli Thompson
Feb 12, 20243 min read
Rust Out Boredom is Burn Out
A client told me recently that she couldn't figure out why she was starting to feel exhausted and restless at work. In her mind, she...
Kelli Thompson
Jan 29, 20243 min read
5 Types of Support Networks for Women Leaders
In the months leading up to my book launch, I experienced some of the worst imposter feelings I've ever felt in my life. I couldn't stop...
Kelli Thompson
Jan 22, 20244 min read
How to Define Your Leadership Style
A few weeks ago I was working on a business communication idea and I shared it in an online community I belong to comprised of fellow...
Kelli Thompson
Jan 15, 20244 min read
My Most Popular Confidence Coaching Tool
I recently met with a client who received a well-earned promotion. She was a couple of months into a new, more strategic role and she'd...
Kelli Thompson
Jan 8, 20243 min read
New Year, New... Quits!
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family enjoyed the holidays. Our holidays were celebrated a bit late as we just held our family...
Kelli Thompson
Dec 18, 20234 min read
My Favorite Things (+ a year-end reflection tool)
This is my final newsletter of 2023 before I go into reflection and planning mode for the remainder of the year. Well, that along with...
Kelli Thompson
Dec 11, 20233 min read
How to Handle Discomfort as a Leader
Earlier this year, I spent the day with a group of women leaders in an all-day workshop. We talked about many leadership topics: Shifting...
Kelli Thompson
Dec 4, 20233 min read
Are You Selling Yourself Short?
Is it performance review time in your company right now? If not, I bet it will be coming up soon for you in the next few months....
Kelli Thompson
Jul 24, 20233 min read
How to Find Your Genius Zone
In honor of the women's World Cup soccer tournament, I'm sharing a shortened book excerpt this week about Jill Ellis, the former U.S....
Kelli Thompson
Jul 13, 20233 min read
How To Advance From Doer to Leader
When we promote people from doer to leader, we assume a magic transformation will happen in their comfort and skill to coach others.
Kelli Thompson
Jun 30, 20233 min read
How To Stop Procrastinating
When I first launched my coaching business, I planned out all of my projected revenue and expenses, but I missed a big one. It's one that...
Kelli Thompson
Jun 28, 20232 min read
Making A Clear Impact Through Subtraction, Not Addition
The key to making an impact with your project or message is through subtraction, not addition.
Kelli Thompson
Jun 27, 20233 min read
Could Doubt Be a GOOD Thing?
Even successful leaders feel doubt. They take actions aligned to their values while also feeling doubt. Courage & doubt can coexist.
Kelli Thompson
Jun 23, 20233 min read
The Best Leadership Advice I've Received
When we're in conflict, it's tempting to think it's us vs. them. But every person values being seen, heard and communicated with.
Kelli Thompson
Jun 5, 20233 min read
Rest V Recovery: Why knowing the difference prevents burnout
As a former corporate leader and a leadership coach, I see major health consequences from leaders who refuse to give themselves a break
Kelli Thompson
May 15, 20233 min read
How To Decide With Confidence
2016 was a year of hard choices for me. Within a period of four months, I called off a wedding and quit a job I loved to take an even...
Kelli Thompson
Mar 17, 20233 min read
Advancing women in the workplace: 3 tools to boost your peace, potential & paycheck
March 8 is International Women's Day and the entire month of March is reserved to honor Women's History Month. There is good news - more...
Kelli Thompson
Feb 21, 20232 min read
3 Questions To Help You Level Up At Work
You cannot be a $500 million dollar leader with $200 million dollar habits. If you want to level up at work, you create the new results you
Kelli Thompson
Feb 14, 20232 min read
5 Tips For Managing Up At Work
A key mindset shift we all must learn as we advance in our career is this: You won't always have the leader you want, but many times you're
Kelli Thompson
Feb 14, 20233 min read
Leading Through Uncomfortable Situations
In times of discomfort, it's tempting to use short-term strategies like taking over a task, shying away from the risk, staying silent or pro
Kelli Thompson
Feb 14, 20233 min read
Why "Rust Out" leads To Burnout
Something to consider is this: Burnout isn't always caused by overwork, there is a type of burnout called “rust out" - and it's caused by us
Kelli Thompson
Feb 14, 20233 min read
Are You Leading As a Hero or a Coach?
Several years ago when I was still in the corporate ranks, I told my leader that I wanted more practice in developing my executive...
Kelli Thompson
Oct 20, 20222 min read
How To Advocate For Yourself (in a way you won't regret)
I had an impromptu call with a client because she felt stuck. A few weeks prior, she learned that her peer would be leaving. Instead of...
Kelli Thompson
Oct 13, 20222 min read
Why Saying No Builds Confidence (and how to do it)
This week I was talking with a friend about an opportunity that was presented to her. While on paper the opportunity looked good in terms...
Kelli Thompson
Sep 22, 20223 min read
Make The Shift from Doer to Leader
As leaders, we have to make the shift from doer and fixer to leader and coach. We can’t have it both ways. We can choose be the one who does
bottom of page