Nicole Elias Seawell
My overarching goal is to take business and make it easier, because so much gets lost in miscommunication. I believe that everything we do is a communication, that your leadership style is truly your communication style, and that miscommunication and misconnection is happening all the time in today's fast-moving, highly technological, AI-driven world. I help people understand that our reality is what the other person believes we said - we're all living within our own perception. I created my own framework called the communication intelligence dynamic that helps people see that we all have certain pillars that we need met - whether that's detail orientation, risk tolerance, how we handle conflict, how we make decisions, our pace. I tend to go fast, so I have to work very intentionally to slow myself down and give others space. When you're aware of these dynamics, you can activate what I call the pivot - understanding what's needed in the situation. That makes great leadership and great teams. My role is helping people broaden their lens to get a new approach forward, providing them awareness so they can see they have so much power within themselves. I call everything an exploration or experimentation - just give it a try. I'm an honest thinking partner that really pushes, especially for senior leaders who've had success but need someone who will speak up. I find it super rewarding to make things easier for people.
• Certification in Coaching
• Wisdom Certification from Modern Elder Academy
• Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations
• Cornell University
• 1993
• Cum Laude
• Juris Doctor
• University of Pennsylvania Law School
• 1996
• President and Chair
• Beard Family Foundation
• Chair of Peer Network Chair Committee
• National Center of Family Philanthropy
• Beard Family Foundation
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would offer to be open and be a Class A observer. See what works in certain settings, and understand how that could work with your own personal operating system. Look to others, whether women or men, to see where they succeed and where they don't, and then bring those lessons into ourselves. I think we put tremendous pressure, especially starting out, that we're supposed to be perfect, and there really is no such thing. Take the lessons from people who went ahead of you, whether they're true formalized mentors or just an opportunity for you to observe, and then try those out to kind of come up with your own style, because most of us have it within us, and when we're open, we can do it different and better for different situations. I'm not saying at all don't honor yourself, but don't think you're supposed to have it all figured out. Don't fake it - really take on the lessons that you see in others, and then try them out to make your own style.
Locations
Sailor's Sweet Life, LLC
Cherry Hills Village, CO