Connecting with Amy Sterner Nelson

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

Relationships are everything! From my very first professional job working for President Carter’s non-profit around the world, I learned the power of remembering a name, following up after a meeting with a note or email, and creating strong connections. As an entrepreneur, I’ve leaned into relationships to learn skills I hadn’t developed, but needed to succeed. I had never held a people management role before starting The Riveter, and I was able to ask many women I knew and admired how they went about creating a framework for management. The other massive benefit of developing strong professional relationships is that you’ll always make *more* connections. When people really know you and respect you, they’ll think of you when an opportunity arises, when a connection can be made that might boost your business, and more.?

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

My best tips for maintaining and building strong relationships is to build relationships so that you’re not *only* reaching out when you need something. That’s a transaction - not a relationship. So remember to check in with people from time to time. Send them an article if you think it will resonate with them! Comment on their LinkedIn post or update with a quick note! Little things like this can truly transform a relationship. Additionally, it’s great to always think of who you can share opportunities with. If you learn of a speaking opportunity, for example, always take a couple of minutes to think, 'Would anyone I know be a great candidate for this?' And pass it along!

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

We all have a limited amount of time to build relationships. I have purposely sought to spend that time by joining networks and communities that are inclusive. Before I decide to commit my time or money with a group where I believe I can find professional relationships, I ask how they think about admitting members and how they think about equity.?

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

I have to say I’m proud to be a member of my community, The Riveter! I built The Riveter as a 30-something mother, trying to juggle work and family - and feeling isolated without any community of ambitious women trying to do the same. I built The Riveter to be that place and to help women connect with skills, opportunities - and one another. I’m also really proud to be a member of the Young Presidents Organization, which provides incredible opportunities for entrepreneurs.?

Who’s a Connector that's made a difference in your life?

An amazing connector who has made a difference in my life is Catherine St-Laurent. I met Catherine in Seattle, where I was starting The Riveter and Catherine was working for Melinda Gates’ Pivotal Ventures. Catherine was incredibly supportive of my idea and went out of her way to introduce me to women she thought could help amplify my idea. One of her connections was to a women’s network called TheLi.st - and through TheL.ist, I met Susan McPherson - and, so many other women who would later become investors in The Riveter, journalists who would write about the company, and - importantly - become friends.

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of?McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.

Follow Susan on?LinkedIn,?Twitter?and?Instagram?and order her new book,?The Lost Art of Connecting, also available on Kindle and Audiobook.