We recently connected with Lisa E. Kirkwood and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa E., so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
This comes down to motivation and determination to achieve the set goals. I’m an avid reader and love to gather wisdom in many ways, but especially by reading books. As soon as I learned how to read, back in grade school decades ago, I needed no push to pick up a book and learn more than I knew the day before.
Knowledge is a bridge to life accomplishments, and knowledge is power. When you hold yourself accountable and there is no competition for the second place, you realize that even if the going gets tough, you have to be tough enough to get going and keep going until you achieve your goals and make your dream a reality.
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?
Lisa E. Kirkwood – The True Stories Merchant™. Global Voice. Soulful Connector.
I am a keynote speaker, author, and cross-cultural communication expert with over three decades of experience in Europe and America. I have gained a deep understanding of relational dynamics, and how they influence human interactions, collaboration, and leadership in today’s global marketplace.
Through powerful storytelling and rich insights, I reveal how most cultural missteps happen from missed cues and mismatched assumptions. I work with organizations across borders to develop cultural and relational fluency within their teams, empowering leaders to build inclusive environments that increase efficiency, drive innovation, and strengthen trust.
A true global citizen with a background in foreign languages and fluency in several of them, I use my global lens to help others bridge cultural gaps with clarity and power. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, I show how cultural differences can be leveraged for greater performance, inclusivity, creativity, and overall social and financial success.
Whether managing a multigenerational team or working with international clients, I provide practical, human-centered tools that can transform friction into opportunities for personal and professional growth, individually and collectively. I help organizations turn cultural diversity into a competitive advantage by equipping teams with the tools they need to communicate more effectively, collaborate better, and enhance revenues.
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?
Keep learning and expanding your horizons.
Don’t give up when facing obstacles.
Continue to grow, and adjust course when needed while following your dream.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m excited to go full on to my speaking and consulting endeavors, especially on my favorite topics: cross-cultural communication, team building, leadership and empowerment.
Particularly now, in this divisive and divided society, there’s a growing call for a unifying message, to bridge the disconnect between people, find balance, not division, and aim for proper mutual understanding.
While exploring various non-profit venues and educational institutions, I also want to bring this timely and relevant message to the corporate space, where it’s highly needed – professional audiences, employee resource groups or employee assistance programs. The goal is to improve communication, collaboration, and performance.
I want to connect with more HR professionals, leaders and staffers, event planners, or education coordinators.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetruestoriesmerchant.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaekirkwoodthetruestoriesmerchant/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thetruestoriesmerchant
- Other: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-DGK6Kzw5L-empower-with-lisa-diversity-leadership
Image Credits
Lisa E. Kirkwood
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
