Meet Chelsea Coltman

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Coltman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.

Hi Chelsea , so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.

I believe decision-making is a skill that is developed through experience, reflection, humility, and a willingness to learn. I approach decisions by gathering as much relevant information as possible, considering both short-term and long-term impacts, and weighing the risks and rewards. However, I also understand that no decision-making process is perfect, and sometimes the outcome does not go as planned!

Personally, failure or making the wrong decision is not the end of the road—it’s a stepping stone toward growth. I see every misstep as an opportunity to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how I can approach similar situations differently in the future. This mindset keeps me focused on continuous improvement rather than perfection.

In my experience, the most impactful lessons come from times when things didn’t go as expected. For example, I once led a project where I made an operational decision that resulted in a minor setback. Rather than dwelling on it, I analyzed the situation, sought feedback, and implemented changes that ultimately made the process more efficient. That experience reinforced my belief that success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about how you respond, adapt, and move forward.

I’m confident in my ability to make thoughtful decisions, and I’m equally committed to learning from the outcomes—whether they’re wins or lessons in disguise!

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?

Mare Blu Consulting was inspired by a deep connection to the ocean and a profound belief in the transformative power of leadership to impact lives and organizations. The name “Mare Blu” reflects the vastness, depth, and clarity of the sea—qualities mirrored in great leadership and thriving organizational cultures: resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering sense of purpose.

Rooted in the personal and professional journey of its founder, Chelsea Coltman, Mare Blu Consulting was born from witnessing the ripple effects of both effective and toxic leadership. Chelsea’s experiences of balancing care for her team with self-care, and learning from moments of burnout, shaped her vision to create an organization that fosters sustainable, compassionate leadership. These experiences ignited a calling to serve others with care, purpose, and impact.

The ocean, with its healing and restorative qualities, symbolizes the flow of ideas, connection, and growth that Mare Blu seeks to bring to its clients. Just as the ocean calms, rejuvenates, and restores, Mare Blu Consulting aims to provide clarity, healing, and renewal in leadership and organizational development.

By embracing the ocean’s lessons of balance and adaptability, Mare Blu helps leaders and organizations navigate the ebb and flow of challenges with courage and intention. Through this philosophy, Mare Blu creates a space where teams and leaders can reconnect with their core values, heal from burnout, and develop sustainable strategies for success—making waves of positive change, one organization at a time.

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?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that had the most impact on my journey were emotional intelligence, adaptability, and strategic thinking.

First, emotional intelligence has been foundational in building strong relationships, fostering trust, and navigating challenging conversations. It’s helped me stay attuned to both my emotions and the emotions of others, which is critical when leading teams or managing projects. For those early in their journey, I’d recommend practicing active listening and regularly seeking feedback to improve self-awareness. Emotional intelligence is something that’s developed over time through intentional reflection and meaningful interactions.

Second, adaptability and resilience have been invaluable. Business environments are often unpredictable, and being able to pivot quickly while staying calm under pressure has allowed me to keep moving forward even when plans didn’t go as expected. My advice to others is to embrace change as an opportunity to learn. Taking risks and learning from mistakes can be uncomfortable, but growth happens outside your comfort zone. Building a strong support network also makes it easier to stay grounded during challenges.

Finally, strategic thinking and problem-solving have been essential in turning ideas into action and making informed decisions. Early on, I focused on asking questions, analyzing trends, and learning how to break down complex problems into manageable steps. For anyone looking to strengthen this skill, I’d recommend reading case studies, experimenting with frameworks like SWOT analysis, and practicing decision-making in both small and big scenarios to build confidence.

Overall, my advice is to stay curious, be open to feedback, and view every experience—especially the setbacks—as opportunities to grow. Success isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being willing to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I’m always open to partnerships and collaborations, especially with individuals and organizations that share a passion for leadership development, organizational growth, and culture transformation.

I’m particularly interested in collaborating with:

Leadership Coaches and Organizational Development Specialists who focus on building high-performing teams and fostering inclusive cultures.

HR Professionals and Talent Development Experts looking to design programs that align with business strategy and promote employee engagement.

Brands and Marketing Teams seeking to create experiential marketing campaigns or brand strategies that leave lasting impressions.

Nonprofits and Community Organizations focused on supporting leadership pipelines, professional development, or workforce readiness initiatives.

I believe collaboration works best when there’s alignment in values, purpose, and vision, and I’m excited to partner with those who are committed to purpose-driven work and making an impact.

If anyone reading this is interested in collaborating, I’d love to hear from you! The best way to reach me is through LinkedIn or by email: ccoltman@marebluconsulting.com

Let’s explore how we can create meaningful impact together!

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccoltman