Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Flora Tromelin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Flora, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism primarily stems from the challenges I’ve encountered in both my personal and professional lives. These experiences have taught me resilience and the ability to see the silver lining in every situation. I firmly believe in the adage, ‘everything happens for a reason.’ So, if a particular endeavor doesn’t work out as planned, I view it as an opportunity for something better to come along. This perspective fuels my optimism and helps me stay positive, even in the face of adversity.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve always been drawn to international environments. My career began at Pommery Champagne House, interacting with English-speaking tourists. After earning a master’s in marketing management, I worked in B2B sales for a local newspaper, speaking French daily. Craving more international interaction, I joined the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), an independent U.S. agency managing war cemeteries and monuments worldwide.
My work with ABMC led to my appointment as the Chief of Protocol to the U.S. Ambassador to France in 2014. Beyond etiquette, my role involved managing communications, evaluating event invitations, and planning embassy events, ranging from small dignitary meetings to large functions with thousands of attendees. This role allowed me to facilitate relations between the U.S. mission and the French and foreign governments.
During this time, I met my husband, Aaron, who was serving as U.S. Army Attaché at the embassy. Now, I leverage my international experience and communication skills to offer major event management and intercultural consulting through my company, FCT Strategies, LLC.
In addition to running my company, I also proudly represent the French American Chamber of Commerce in Arizona in a voluntary capacity, further strengthening the ties between these two nations and fostering mutual growth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my journey, the three most impactful qualities have been:
1) Adaptability: Working in diverse environments, from a Champagne House to the U.S. Embassy, required me to adapt quickly to new cultures, languages, and professional norms. This flexibility has been crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities that came my way.
2) Communication Skills: Whether it was interacting with tourists, managing communications for the U.S. Ambassador, or running my own company, effective communication has been at the heart of my success. It’s not just about speaking or writing well, but also about listening and understanding others’ perspectives.
3) Leadership: Leading teams, planning major events, and representing organizations have all required strong leadership. This includes strategic thinking, decision-making, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
If I could add a fourth one, that would be commitment. I’ve always been committed to my promises and responsibilities. This reliability has built trust with my colleagues and clients and has been fundamental to my professional success.
For those early in their journey, my advice would be to stay committed: always follow through on your promises. This will build trust and open doors to opportunities.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz has played a pivotal role in my personal and professional development at a difficult time in my life. The book, based on ancient Toltec wisdom, introduces four powerful principles that have the potential to transform one’s life:
1) Be Impeccable With Your Word: This agreement taught me the power of words and the importance of using them responsibly to express the truth and spread positivity. You never know what the person in front of you is currently facing. Words can hurt, use them wisely.
2) Don’t Take Anything Personally: This principle has certainly been the most important for me to acknowledge. It helped me maintain my peace of mind even in challenging situations, understanding that people’s actions and words are often more about them than about me. This is true for everyone.
3) Don’t Make Assumptions: This agreement has encouraged me to seek clarity in all my interactions, leading to better understanding and fewer unnecessary conflicts.
4) Always Do Your Best: This principle reminded me that as long as I’m doing my best, I’m on the right path. It has helped me strive for excellence without being overly critical of myself.
These principles have not only shaped my mindset but also guided my actions. My advice to those early in their journey would be to read that book!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fctstrategiesllc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fct_strategies_llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fctstrategiesllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flora-tromelin/
