Keynote Topics
ACCELERATING HIGH-TRUST, RESILIENT, AND REWARDING RELATIONSHIPS
Did you know that employees who have meaningful relationships at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs, take fewer sick days, collaborate more effectively, provide better customer service, and have higher loyalty to their companies? Belongingness is the #1 factor for employee satisfaction, and creating a culture of belonging is an effective solution for decreasing turnover and increasing employee fulfillment.
In this dynamic and interactive program, social relationships expert and author of The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time, Shasta Nelson provides a framework to evaluate belongingness within your teams and delivers practical tools to create and accelerate the high-trust and resilient relationships that boost employee productivity, retention, and profitability.
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WHY THE SUCCESSFUL LEADER IS THE CONNECTED LEADER
We frequently talk about how lonely it is “at the top,” and yet we’ve almost resigned ourselves to believing that’s the way it has to be. Just as our team members need to have meaningful relationships at work to be more engaged and productive, our leaders need to feel connected and supported. The stats speak for themselves: 60 percent of CEOs say they’re lonely, and three-fourths of them say that it’s hurting their performance.
But it doesn’t have to be this way—leaders who have supportive relationships at work are more resilient through crisis, communicate more effectively, and enjoy increased longevity and health.
In this fun and interactive program, social relationships expert and author of The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time, Shasta Nelson delivers strategies to create and maintain the supportive relationships that your leaders need and addresses the biggest fears around boss-employee friendships, such as favoritism, confidentiality breaches, and more.
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THE SOCIAL SECRET TO A LONGER, HAPPIER LIFE
How many of us struggle to muster the energy to socialize with strangers or even with our closest friends? Making new friends or deepening our existing relationships is uncomfortable, awkward, and—at times—painful. But choosing to avoid social discomfort often leaves us feeling lonely, with over 61% of the United States and 73% of Gen Z-ers feeling lonely on a regular basis.
The damage to our health, happiness, and longevity is devastating. Feeling disconnected is as harmful to our well-being as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, twice as harmful as being obese, and is the equivalent of being a lifelong alcoholic. So what’s the solution?
In this energizing program packed with real-world research and inspiring stories, social relationships expert Shasta Nelson explores the #1 health factor more important than kale and treadmills and teaches us how we can enjoy long, connected lives.
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THE 3 REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Did you know that over 60% of us feel lonely on a regular basis? With the constant connectivity of today’s world, it’s never been easier to meet people—but it’s never been harder to form meaningful relationships. The truth is, most of us aren’t lonely for more interaction, but rather for more intimacy, more support, and more depth. But how do we create these relationships we all want?
In this energizing program packed with real-world research and inspiring stories, social relationships expert Shasta Nelson unlocks the secret to turning acquaintances and casual friendships into deep, supportive connections and reaching a level of trust that she calls “frientimacy.”
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Shasta Nelson is a pioneering force in social relationship building, providing insights and guidance on how to cultivate meaningful connections in personal and professional life. With over a decade of experience in friendship development and workplace engagement, Nelson is renowned for her ability to help individuals and organizations understand the art and science of connection.
Through her work, she has demonstrated that strong relationships are foundational to personal fulfillment and workplace success. Nelson is a bestselling author, sought-after keynote speaker, and media contributor whose expertise empowers audiences to foster meaningful and trust-filled relationships.
A pioneer in belongingness, Shasta Nelson is an in-demand keynote speaker, popular media resource and contributor to the Harvard Business Review, and author of three books in which she teaches how to build healthy relationships, including The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of the Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time.
For over 15 years, Shasta has been translating the science of human connection into actionable practices that lead to greater belonging in our communities and workplaces. Her expertise has activated organizations such as Google and LinkedIn to intentionally create and accelerate the high-trust and resilient relationships that lead to higher employee retention, engagement, and collaboration.
As a leading voice in social wellness, Shasta Nelson brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to her speaking engagements. She has authored several bestselling books on friendship, including Friendships Don’t Just Happen! and The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time. Nelson’s work is backed by years of research, underscoring her understanding of the unique ways relationships impact both our personal lives and work environments.
In her extensive research and practice, she has developed and taught the “Frientimacy Triangle,” a proven framework that highlights the three essential qualities of healthy and supportive friendships: consistency, vulnerability, and positivity. Her expertise in this model, paired with her psychological insight into human connection, provides her with unique qualifications for discussing the value of connection in the workplace and beyond. Nelson has addressed audiences across multiple industries, helping individuals and teams improve collaboration, resilience, and job satisfaction through stronger interpersonal bonds.
Shasta Nelson is widely recognized as one of the top authorities in the field of friendship and relationship development. Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Time, establishing her as a thought leader on the importance of social relationships for health and productivity. Nelson’s unique approach to social wellness has also led to her being featured as a guest expert on networks like CNN, NBC, and ABC, where she discusses the importance of building supportive and lasting connections.
As a speaker, Nelson’s authority shines through in her dynamic, relatable presentations, where she seamlessly combines science-backed data with real-world examples. Her academic background, paired with hands-on experience coaching companies and leaders on improving team dynamics, makes her a trusted figure in social relationship building. Event planners and audiences alike recognize her authority on the topic, often describing her as inspiring, insightful, and engaging.
Shasta Nelson’s expertise in social relationship building and friendship development has made her one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in her field. With a background grounded in research, a proven track record of success, and a genuine commitment to empowering others, Nelson helps audiences understand the critical role of meaningful relationships in both personal and professional success. Her presentations are tailored, engaging, and transformative, offering audiences a blueprint for fostering strong, supportive connections that enhance well-being and productivity.
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