Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christine Flott. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Christine, 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 comes from having a growth mindset. I’d like to say that I developed that growth mindset because I’ve been inspired by others, so on and so forth. However, the truth of the matter is that I’m naturally curious and like to learn. The great thing about being a lifelong learner is that there’s always an answer out there. That makes me optimistic!
As I’ve started my business, I’ve thought to myself, “People from all walks of life have started businesses. With more money, with less money. With more information, with less information. With a more of a network, with less of a network. If they can do it, I can do it.” It hasn’t been easy, and I really haven’t cracked the nut, yet.
So the good thing about having a growth mindset in the midst of all of the above is having the optimism that I can learn it if I don’t know it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My company is called NaCl Consulting and I am a change practitioner. What is this? When organizations introduce change to their teams – technology, process, reporting structures – people generally have a response. Our brains like routine and a change is a challenge to this routine. When we forget about the natural human response to change, and plow through without regard to the human reactions to it, we can leave a lot of people in the dust.
Change practitioners help organizations introduce change in a way so that it honors the human reaction to change. In other words, we try to reduce friction associated with change. This is better for the people experiencing the change AND for the company introducing the change. In the case of a technology introduction, for instance, we help leaders contextualize why this technology is important for the company. We’ll help to form communications plans that explain the benefits of the new system. We think about ways we can capture feedback and impressions from employees about the rollout and ways it can be improved. We’ll track adoption of the system and recommend a change of course in training, if that seems necessary. In all, we’re ensure that the people going through using the new software understand what it’s being used for, why they need it, how it’s going along the way, and that future employees get the same experience.
I used to work as a project manager for technology implementations. In that role, I never loved how much friction was caused by the introduction of new technology. It wasn’t because I was a bad project manager. It was because we didn’t have someone in the role paving the way for the people who were about to use it. It is the human element I’m most passionate about. Let’s get it right for them! So I got certified in change management through Prosci and that has been my professional focus since 2018.
As for the entrepreneurship part – I have had entrepreneurship on my mind since I was 17. I attended DePaul University for my undergraduate degree. I got a bachelor degree in business management with a focus in entrepreneurship. I am unsure where the desire came from; my dad was a teacher and mom, an accountant. I didn’t know anyone who owned their own business. Life carried on after college with no business ownership, but over the last 10 years, the idea resurfaced. Ultimately, I didn’t want to look back at my life with regrets. My husband, Chuck, has always cheered me on. Along the line I’ve hired a number of coaches and have worked my way into starting my own business.
I named my company NaCl Consulting after the chemical compound for salt. Salt, in any recipe, lifts flavors so they are more THEM. If you’ve ever had a cookie without salt, you know that it just tastes…flat. Well, I act like salt with other people. I engage people and lift them so that they are able to bring their best skills and talents together to bring their work over the finish line. It’s always come naturally to me and it’s what I love to do.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Shhhhh. No really, get to listening. Turn on that curious part of your brain and ask good questions. Learn. How many times has this piece of advice been given? Too many times to count. But the fact of the matter is, I can’t solve for anything until I’ve learned what I’m solving for. In order to do that, I have to listen. And I believe anyone, no matter where they are in their journey, should as well. There are courses on effective listening you can take. You can practice with – just about anyone!
2. In almost any area of business you go into, it’s important that you learn how to work well with other people in the sandbox. Working collaboratively in a team setting is a de facto way of doing business. I also happen to think it’s beautiful. We all bring our very special selves to a team and get to contribute in different ways. How do you work well with other people? Let others contribute and thank them for their efforts. Pull your weight. Ask questions if you’re not sure about something. Celebrate when the team does well!
3. Finally, do take on opportunities that are presented to you early in your career. Whether it’s a stretch goal or project, an internship, or a volunteer opportunity. Whatever you can do to show some experience beyond your education. It truly is ok to make mistakes. In fact, you should count on it. Also, it’s truly ok to ask for help. In fact, you should count on it. As you move into new positions, you should be challenged. If you hear about something you don’t understand, look it up and read about it. Find a book or course on new topics. It’s your combination of experience and soft skills combined that will move your career along.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past 12 months, I don’t know how many times I’ve said, “I know change management, but I am just learning about sales and marketing!” Really, I am just learning about owning a business. I didn’t budget enough money for software or conferences. I really didn’t know anything about sales. I didn’t know that LinkedIn would be my biggest tool. I had no idea that I’d want to re-do my website about four months after it was done.
So my biggest area of growth has been swallowing my pride as I’ve started this business. I enjoy being competent. For a while I got pretty dejected that nothing seemed to be working for developing for my business. I think that meant I needed to keep going and trying new things. I believe it’s ok to have a down day, but then it’s time to contemplate next moves and ideas. I still don’t know for sure that my business idea is going to work, but I’m learning so much.
I read The End of Jobs: Money, Meaning and Freedom Without the 9-to-5 by Taylor Pearson several years back. It was influential in how I thought about starting a business. One of the ideas he asserts is that as you start a business, you’re learning about starting a business. And you’ll take those lessons forward to other businesses, if you choose to. That makes a whole lot of sense to me. There’s nothing going to waste, here, as I start NaCl Consulting. It’s all learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nacl-consulting.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-flott-pmp-nashville/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwxG_iTzVNI_S4s9mIjBjcA
Image Credits
Liza Hippler
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