As a ’super-connector,’ I know a lot of people and have made a lot of friends over time through various jobs and communities I’ve been a part of — like many of us have. For years (even decades) I was pretty good at keeping in touch with most of them. However as time has passed (I’d say over the past ten years in particular), I’ve drifted away from many people who I really care about. It’s not something that I’m proud of, and I’ve made a vow to close the gap and re-sync with more of my people.
I’ve realized that when someone crosses my mind, it’s important to reach out and let them know I’m thinking of them. Inevitably it means so much to them, and though time may have passed, the depth of the relationships we’ve forged remains and we pick up as if there have been no gaps. I’ve found this to hold true both for friendships and for business relationships.
I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop not long ago, and when I looked up I saw one of my favorite Apple Alum – Peter Hoddie – who was one of the original engineers that developed QuickTime technology. We had an unexpected catch-up on the spot which was really delightful. I hadn’t seen him in years but as referenced above, it was as if no time had passed.
More recently, I flew to San Diego for a celebration of life of a dear friend who passed unexpectedly last fall. One of my close friends from my year of doing graduate coaching training with Alan Cohen, Montie Sommers, lives in San Diego so I took the opportunity to see if she was available for brunch. We had a fantastic visit that lasted a couple of hours and really lit me up.
So I guess the moral of this story is, do your best to stay in touch with your friends and colleagues; we all need people in our lives who know us, our history, who care about us – and who we care about in return. Life is short, and it’s important to retain those ties and not to let time and other distractions carry us too far apart for too long. Consider reaching out to folks who are meaningful to you when you think of them and not putting that off; that’s a great way to stay actively engaged.
I’m curious if you have ways you like to keep your friends and community close to keep those ties intact; let me know!
Be well,
Kelli
The Benefits of Having a Garden Sanctuary for Visionary Innovators and Leaders
Having a garden sanctuary in your environment is more than just a luxury; it’s a soul-nourishing necessity in our fast-paced, digitally driven world. In this article, I share why creating and maintaining such a space is really essential for your well-being, creativity and alignment as a visionary innovator and leader.
Spotlight
We Can Do It Women Podcast
I was recently interviewed by host Debra Morrison for this podcast. The community is focused on empowering women over 50, and it pivots around the notion that it’s never too late for women to reinvent themselves and to create impact. Our discussion centered on my journey and insights around innovation and reinvention throughout your life and career.
Spotlight
ARK Big Ideas Report 2025
I recently watched Cathie Woods of ARK Invest do a talk on trends in innovation that are important for investors to pay attention to. Cathie is a top stock picker and founder of the $60B ARK Invest which over the years has made phenomenal returns on her investments in cutting-edge technologies. She and her team have just come out with their “Big Ideas 2025” report which is a deep-dive guide to breakthrough technologies poised to boost productivity dramatically, to revolutionize industries, and to create long-term investment opportunities. It’s a must-read report that centers on transformative change.
Media Recommendations
Lonely Planet – (Netflix)
One Friday night recently, I was home alone and didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to watch when I came across a Netflix film entitled “Lonely Planet” starting Laura Dern – I always enjoy her films. I enjoy romcoms, especially after a long work week, and as a lightweight film this looked like it would fit the bill for the evening. The film centers on a restless, somewhat reclusive novelist who attends a writer’s retreat in Morocco designed to gather together a host of prestigious authors. She runs into a younger man while at the retreat (Liam Hemsworth) — and what starts off quite casually turns into a love affair. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and would definitely recommend it if this type of movie is what you’re after.
Longevity Guidebook: How to Slow, Stop, and Reverse Aging — and NOT Die from Something Stupid
Peter Diamandis is an entrepreneur, futurist and a doctor. He’s perhaps best known for being the co-founder and executive chairman of Singularity University, and the founder and chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation. I’m a big fan of his insights.
In this, his latest book, he shares insights on cutting edge technologies, therapies and trends that can allow us to live healthier, longer lives. It’s a book designed to inspire you to optimize and maintain your best health to take best advantage of the transformative breakthroughs taking place rapidly in the science and medical fields. He maintains that over 70% of your potential longevity is based on your lifestyle, not your genetics, and is therefore within your control. He goes into great detail about his own health regimen and protocol, sharing his diet and exercise routines, including the 75+ pills he takes daily.
Delivery Sensitivities for Wildfire Victims Who Lost their Homes
Companies delivering packages or mail to homeowners impacted by the loss of their homes due to fire or other disasters need to instruct drivers to be mindful and sensitive enough not to leave anything when there’s no house. In this article, I share some practical tips that both delivery services and homeowners can take to better manage this type of scenario.
People Say the Nicest Things…
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kelli – and her refreshing candor and genuine desire to help others grow and reach their full potential truly set her apart from anyone else that I’ve worked with. Kelli tells it like it is and pushes you out of your comfort zone to think differently…even when it doesn’t come naturally.
One of her most valuable assets is her extensive network, which is a testament to the respect and trust she has earned over the years. She is remarkably well-connected, and she leverages these connections to open doors and create opportunities where others may not see them. I found the conversations that she facilitated with her contacts to be transformative in terms of how I began thinking about the next phase of my career.
Most importantly, I see Kelli as more than just an advisor. She’s a catalyst for change and that voice of encouragement in your mind to give you the confidence you need to reach higher than you thought you could before. During my work with Kelli, I felt like I had a true friend and a thought partner by my side helping me raise my game. If you’re looking to elevate your thinking, see new possibilities, re-imagine your capability and grow your network, then partnering with Kelli is truly one of the best decisions you can make. I look forward to continuing to work with her and to referring her to others who can benefit too.”
— Adam Harter
CMO, LIV Golf and Former SVP of Media, Sports & Entertainment, Pepsi
Me after a yoga class on the beach in Hawaii at a retreat – including my friend Montie (brunette on the right with glasses). In fact, Montie led the class – she’s a yoga instructor.