WE ARE AMERICA’S JOBS TEAM.

America’s future relies on people like you to foster a dynamic economy. It’s a big responsibility, but you are not alone in shouldering the weight. You are part of America’s Jobs Team!

You know—as do we—that the business of creating jobs is hard work, requiring more than just a little bit of elbow grease. You’ve got to have: deep industry knowledge; community and workforce familiarity; an ability to form deep relationships and create unity; perseverance; and the drive to keep growing both your community and within your leadership capabilities.

Over the years, the Consultant Connect team has seen many amazing economic development heroes reach incredible goals, and we know these winning moments happen because of continuous learning, evolving and innovation. Join us each week for in-depth interviews and relevant leadership development topics to help economic developers grow. We firmly believe that when leaders get better, communities thrive!

Listen to the America’s Jobs Team podcast below, or find it on Apple Podcasts.

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Episode 143: How Do the Real and Perceived Pains of Change Affect Your Team?
Episode 143: How Do the Real and Perceived Pains of Change Affect Your Team? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“You have to understand what you’re asking of people when you’re asking them to change.” –Ronald Heifetz What is it about change that has people digging their heels in and holding onto the status quo? Are you able to get yourself on the balcony to understand the dynamics at play? When navigating hurdles that may…

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Episode 142: Are You Taking the Time to Show That Details Matter? | Jennifer Conoley, Florida’s Great Northwest
Episode 142: Are You Taking the Time to Show That Details Matter? | Jennifer Conoley, Florida’s Great Northwest 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“I truly believe the details matter.” –Jennifer Conoley Have you ever gone to a meeting that is polished and flows smoothly? You know someone took the time to make sure all of the details were put together. There is something to be said when you meet someone and you know they are prepared for your…

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Episode 141: 5 Reasons Why Disagreements Fuel Innovation and Creativity
Episode 141: 5 Reasons Why Disagreements Fuel Innovation and Creativity 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“The growth of knowledge depends entirely upon disagreement.” –Karl Popper When someone disagrees with you, do you perceive that as angry or unkind? Have you experienced a better outcome at the end of conflict? How do we enter into an uncomfortable space in the hope something more rich will come from it? Today, Faye Davis…

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Episode 140: Do You Let Feedback Drive Your Actions to Becoming Better? | David Leezer, Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
Episode 140: Do You Let Feedback Drive Your Actions to Becoming Better? | David Leezer, Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Our biggest competition, first and foremost, is ourselves. We have to understand our strengths and weaknesses.” –David Leezer Do you ever wonder why you didn’t get the project? Do you know possible short comings in your sites? How do you bounce back when you don’t land the job? On this episode, Faye Davis talks with…

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Episode 139: How to Coach Your Team Through the Lens of Their Strengths
Episode 139: How to Coach Your Team Through the Lens of Their Strengths 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Picturing the use of strengths connects people to self-belief, which in turn makes goal achievement feel easier. It is a self-affirming cycle that leads to faster growth.” –Shelley Winter When you have coaching conversations, are you and your direct reports on the same page? Or do you feel like sometimes you’re speaking different languages, like…

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Episode 138: How Can You Get Your Foot in the Door with Your Target Industry? | Gilberto Salinas, Kerr Economic Development Corporation
Episode 138: How Can You Get Your Foot in the Door with Your Target Industry? | Gilberto Salinas, Kerr Economic Development Corporation 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“The future is entrepreneurial. Imagine being able to work with a company in its infancy stage, and in five to 10 years the company becomes one of the most forward thinking enterprises challenging and changing the world.” –Gilberto Salinas Have you identified a specific industry that you’d like to focus on attracting to your region?…

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Episode 137: Mid-Year Check In: Are You on Track With Your Goals?
Episode 137: Mid-Year Check In: Are You on Track With Your Goals? 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger.” –Serena Williams The first half of 2021 might have felt like it flew by in less than the blink of an eye. Think back to the beginning of the year; did you set goals? Do you know where you and your organization…

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Episode 136: Are Your Upskilling Certification Timelines Too Long to Be Impactful? | Barry Broome, Greater Sacramento Economic Council
Episode 136: Are Your Upskilling Certification Timelines Too Long to Be Impactful? | Barry Broome, Greater Sacramento Economic Council 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Inclusion in economic development is an important conversation as we look to digitally upskill people who may not have had the opportunity.” –Barry Broome How is your region looking at improving digital skills of your labor force? Is there a realization brewing that some training program time lines are simply too long to be impactful?…

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Episode 135: 3 Ways to Ramp up Enthusiasm in the Workplace and Tips to Get There
Episode 135: 3 Ways to Ramp up Enthusiasm in the Workplace and Tips to Get There 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson Have you ever been on a project with someone who is excited about the opportunity? Could you feel your own excitement growing as you were around them? Somehow that energy was contagious! On today’s episode, Faye Davis talks with Carla Sones about enthusiasm in the…

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Episode 134: How Can Patience and Tenacity Yield Tremendous Career Growth Results? | Brian Sillitto, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Episode 134: How Can Patience and Tenacity Yield Tremendous Career Growth Results? | Brian Sillitto, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce 150 150 America's Jobs Team

“Don’t get discouraged; there is a time and a season for everything. You’ve got a lot of runway when you’re young.” –Brian Sillitto Today’s world is incredibly dependent on instant gratification. Younger generations tend to have a lower threshold of boredom and an increased need for constant entertainment. With the rise of all things on-demand…

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