Meet Shelby Goelz

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

Hi Shelby, 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?

Growing up as an only child, I was PAINFULLY shy. I never had to speak up at home. I never had to speak over someone to have a conversation with my mom. So, my journey towards learning effective communication happened very slowly and then all at once.

Given my fear of speaking to just about anyone, it only made sense that I would choose to work in hospitality, right lol? Though it took years, working in hospitality taught me more than any public speaking class ever could. You have to assert yourself. You have to be the subject matter expert. You have to own guests experience, admit faults and apologize.

Through years in hospitality, I slowly started going from the person that would wander around a store for an extra 20 minutes trying to find something rather than approach an employee (and sometimes even just leaving if I couldn’t find it), to walking up to the Lowe’s associate in the vest and explaining my whole life story and asking where the switch plate covers were.

In addition to personal experience, I listen to a lot of podcasts and read quite a bit of non-fiction. A few years ago I read the book ‘The 12 Rules for Life,’ by Jordan Peterson and two of his rules that really stuck with me were: ‘Be precise in your speech,’ and ‘Tell the truth, or at least, don’t lie.’ The former really got me thinking about brevity and being direct, using the best word for the occasion, and understanding the impact that saying ‘I think’ can have over saying ‘I feel,’ etc. While the latter really helped my non-confrontational self by building up my confidence and reputation as someone that means what they say and says what they mean. If I had forgotten about a project, I owned it. If I had no intention of attending an event, I made no excuses and would literally say no (politely, of course). If I could not handle any additional workload, I would say so, while offering what help I could afford to give.

When permitted the time, I do appreciate the opportunity to take a step back and really think something through before responding. This gives me an opportunity to analyze another point of view and consider why I may have an opposing view and the possibility of a better outcome if the other point of view is utilized, as well as find the correct words to explain my thoughts and feelings.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the Corporate Beverage Manager for The Melting Pot which means that I oversee everything from the wines on the menu to developing all of the fun cocktails that land on the menu at your local Melting Pot. I am also the go-to person when any of the locations have beverage related questions, comments or concerns.

As a creative person that grew up in hospitality, this is an amazing place to be as I get to flex my creativity muscles while helping locations in creating amazing experiences for their guests. I have experience in every aspect of creating beverage programs, from developing cocktails to working for suppliers and distributors, giving me keen insight in to how just about anything that you can imagine works.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Sense of Wonder – Leads to feelings of awe and appreciation, which may make us stop and reflect. It can make us more present in the moment and heighten our connection to the world. It can also lead to. . .

Curiosity – Curiosity drives the desire to explore new information, ask questions, and seek answers. It encourages deeper understanding and helps people acquire new knowledge and skills. I see myself as a life-long student and take the opportunity to learn as often as I can.

Adventure – Adventures lead to self-discovery. They involve stepping out of the ordinary, taking risks, and embracing uncertainty. By stepping out of familiar surroundings and facing challenges, people learn more about themselves, their strengths, and their limitations. And it doesn’t have to be a physical adventure. It can be intellectual or something personal. Boldly go! Excelsior!

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I am very fortunate to have purchased property north of the city where I work. We have 20 acres on a lake and plenty of animals to keep us busy, as well as a garden. The moment I take the exit towards home, it feels like the day is just sloughed off. Given that I am only in the office two to three days a week, it affords me an amazing work/life balance.

The advise that I would give concerning being overwhelmed would be to acknowledge the struggle that you are facing and ask for help. If you are pushing a boulder up a hill alone, you should’t be surprised when you lose control and it just rolls backwards downhill. Surround yourself with people that want the best for you and a strong support group. And don’t be afraid to be vulnerable!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shelbygoelz.com
• Instagram: @shelbygoelz
• Facebook: Shelby Goelz Excelsior
• Linkedin: Shelby Goelz
• Other: TikTok – @goshelbygo13

Image Credits

Ralph Demilio