Meet Paulie Skaja

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Paulie Skaja a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paulie, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?

I learned the “gift of gab” at an early age by observing my father, a master storyteller who captivated audiences with narratives that created meaningful connections to the conversation at hand. His stories resonated deeply because they were authentic and purposeful, teaching me that effective communication creates genuine connections rather than merely transmitting information.

My communication style was equally shaped by negative examples. I witnessed individuals who relied on commands rather than courtesy, who engaged in gossip, and who lacked integrity when confronted. These counterexamples taught me what to avoid: communication without empathy creates distance rather than understanding.

Perhaps most significantly, my natural curiosity drives my communication approach. As an innate problem-solver, I ask thoughtful questions and practice active listening to foster mutual understanding. This revealed a profound insight: true communication isn’t about being heard but about creating shared meaning between people.

I’ve discovered that effective communication rests on three pillars: asking insightful questions that demonstrate genuine interest, treating others with the respect I desire, and sharing meaningful stories that illuminate rather than merely entertain. This foundation, coupled with my commitment to continuous improvement, has allowed my communication abilities to evolve from a natural talent into a refined skill that builds authentic connections and creates lasting impact.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m often called a “female Forrest Gump” for my remarkably diverse career path. My professional journey began at eighteen when I helped establish my first nonprofit, followed by an unconventional start as a welder building farm equipment. This pattern of versatility and rapid achievement would define my career – advancing from entry-level to management positions within months in retail, pioneering telebanking, facilitating a record-breaking medical insurance data migration, launching Minnesota’s largest charter school (from scratch), and twice setting publisher records for book development speed.

As a Business Transformation Leader with over 15,000 hours of experience spanning 92 teams across 11 multinational companies, I transform organizational chaos into strategic clarity. My expertise lies in eliminating operational waste, building sustainable end-to-end capabilities, and converting resistance into enthusiasm. What truly sets my approach apart is my ability to make change not merely acceptable but advantageous for everyone involved.

My academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, complemented by advanced certifications in business and life coaching. I’m a master practitioner of both Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Humanistic Neuro-Linguistic Psychology (HNLP), a master hypnotherapist certified in Ericksonian and Krazner methods and am completing a mastery program focused on helping people overcome impostor syndrome.

What excites me most about my work is witnessing that unmistakable “lightbulb moment” when clients realize they can achieve what once seemed impossible. This year, I’m focused on an exciting new project—codifying my unique problem-solving methodology after team members highlighted how distinctive my approach truly is. I’m sharing these insights through my podcast “Live Into Your Best Life,” and am developing these concepts into my next book.

Throughout every professional incarnation, my core mission has remained constant: helping people and organizations unlock their full potential by showing them possibilities they couldn’t previously see. The common thread is strong communication.

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?

The three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are my genuine love for people, my relentless pursuit of continuous improvement, and my insatiable curiosity..

For folks early in their journey, here’s what I’ve learned:

First, always remember that “everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time.” This simple truth has helped me connect with people as individuals, not as their titles or status. I don’t care if you’re the CEO or the janitor – you’re a person first, and all people need genuine connection. When you approach others this way, doors open that you didn’t even know existed.

Second, never stop learning. I’ve always been driven to get better at whatever I’m doing, and this has taken me from welding to publishing to organizational transformation. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you stop growing. Keep asking “how can this be better?” – about yourself, your work, and your systems.

Third, stay curious. Assumptions are growth-killers. Instead of thinking you know the answer, ask questions. Be genuinely interested in understanding how things work and why people do what they do. My curiosity has led me down unexpected paths that turned into amazing opportunities.

These qualities work together: curiosity fuels learning, learning drives improvement, and a genuine love of people gives it all purpose. And remember – when you share what you learn to help others grow, you deepen your own understanding too. As I always say, “when we teach, we learn.”

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My dad helped form the foundation for how I approach communication by being an amazing role model. He lived by the ideas that, “Everybody puts their pants on one leg at a time,” “Never ask someone to do what you aren’t willing to do yourself,” “Treat everyone the way you want to be treated,” and “Live each day to the fullest because you never know when it will be your last.” He unexpectedly passed away when he was only 54-years-old, but in that time, he made a lasting impact on how I live life and a large part of my life is communication.

In addition, I have read books by some of the greats, such as Napoleon Hill, Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Byron Katie and Caroline Myss. I’ve also continued my education by becoming certified in many areas related to communication and psychology and have attended numerous conferences on the topics.

The key to my success has been weaving what I’ve learned from these sources into a cohesive philosophy of connection. I’ve transformed these teachings from abstract concepts into daily practices that shape how I interact with colleagues, loved ones, and even strangers. My father’s wisdom serves as my compass, while the insights from thought leaders provide the map for navigating complex communication challenges.

What I’ve discovered is that effective communication isn’t simply a professional skill—it’s the thread that weaves meaning throughout our lives. Through daily reflection and deliberate practice, I’ve learned that when we communicate with authenticity and intention, we don’t just exchange information; we create understanding, build trust, and forge genuine human connections.

My father’s unexpected passing taught me perhaps the most profound lesson: our words and how we choose to share them create our legacy. In honoring his memory, I’ve dedicated myself to ensuring that my communication uplifts others and creates positive change and I strive to instill these practices into the lives of my family as well. Because without meaningful connection through effective communication, life’s richest experiences remain just beyond our reach.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Paulie Skaja
John Armstrong

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where does your optimism come from?

Optimism is the invisible ingredient that powers so much of the incredible progress in society

Confidence
Stories of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Learning from one another is what BoldJourney is all about. Below, we’ve shared stories and

Resilience
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Haters and Doubters

Having hates is an inevitable part of any bold journey – everyone who has made