Talent and Genius

08/07/2025

I facilitate trainings on topics most people are NOT comfortable addressing... hence, the reason for my existence in organizations!

Today I ran a training on emotional intelligence for high-level engineers - and let me say they’re one of my favorite audiences because it’s often so out of their day-to-day to discuss emotions.

☺️ I enter with empathy and compassion, understanding that this topic can be out of their comfort zones.
❤️ I build trust by setting agreements to give each other room to grow.
🦋 I manage the flow so everyone is heard and have safe ways to participate. (Today was virtual, but when I do this in person, I bring goody bags for everyone... chocolate, a squeeze ball, etc and my clients love this!). 🍫

I used to think I had to be an engineer to train engineers, and almost talked myself out of projects. I now know that that despite being the least engineery person in the room, that actually empowers me to shine in my own genius.

There’s a feeling of endearment I have for people whose jobs focus primarily on their technical output. I get to come in and recognize their humanity and invite them to recognize each other’s humanity and the impact this has on our lives and work.
🪞
This is what purpose driven work looks like.

(Photo: Reading nook on Greenwich St steps, San Francisco 2025)
============
Think of this feed as your reminder that leadership can be human, inclusive, and impactful—all at once. Follow me to stay in the conversation.

07/17/2025

"Can you also look at our hiring process while you're at it?"

Famous last words.

They hired me for a 3 month communication project... but it turned into a much longer organizational overhaul for no additional pay.

It hurts just to write that, but let my lesson be a cautionary tale!

I was new and terrified to say no. In my mind I kept thinking:
• What if they don't hire me again?
• Maybe this will lead to bigger opportunities?
• It's just a small addition, right?

Wrong. Very wrong.

Scope creep doesn't just affect timelines—it affects:
• Your profitability
• Your sanity
• Your ability to deliver quality work
• Your other clients who are waiting

Learning to manage scope is self-love, quality control, and smart business.

I'm not the only one, right??? Share your true confessions in the comments (and "asking for a friend" scenarios are most welcome)
-----------------------
Ready to transform your consulting business? The Consultant's Lab gives you the roadmap to build with confidence. Learn more at https://talentandgenius.com/lab
----------------------------------
Think of this feed as your reminder that leadership can be human, inclusive, and impactful—all at once. Follow me to stay in the conversation.

07/15/2025

Your visible expertise is just the tip of the iceberg.

What people see: 20 years of coaching and consulting experience

What they don't see:
• The teaching background that taught me how people learn differently
• The thousands of hours spent observing human behavior patterns
• The failures that taught me empathy isn't a soft skill—it's a leadership requirement
• The insights gained from working with everyone from rocket scientists to nonprofit leaders

When I started consulting, I led with my credentials. Now I lead with my stories—the time I helped a brilliant research team learn to communicate across personalities, the program I designed that reduced conflict in a high-stress nonprofit, the leadership intensives that helped technical experts become emotionally intelligent managers.

Every expert was once a beginner. Every master was once a novice. The difference? They started before they felt ready.

Your expertise is deeper than you think. Your impact is waiting for you to claim it.

Let's discuss:
What "hidden" expertise do you have that you haven't fully owned yet?

07/11/2025

It's July... have you booked your Latino/a/x Heritage Speaker yet???
September is just around the corner; now is the time to secure speakers for your ERG, off-site, executive roundtable, fireside chat, cultural programming, conference, or other Heritage Month themed events.

Every topic I offer is customizable to the size and needs of your organization.

🔥 Culture as a Superpower: Leveraging Latino/a Heritage for Innovation and Growth
Focus:
Encouraging professionals to lead with cultural pride and bring their full selves to work.

🌟 Built to Thrive: How Latino Values Strengthen Teams
Focus:
Exploring the values that support collaboration, loyalty, and workplace connection.

❤️ The Human Side of Leadership: Timeless Wisdom from Latino Culture
Focus:
Bringing emotional intelligence and relational trust into everyday leadership.

Book Me:
Nancy Marmolejo
[email protected]

Want more details? Go here ==>> https://TalentAndGenius.com/LHM

07/11/2025

It’s early July... have you booked your Latino/a/x Heritage Speaker yet???
September is just around the corner; now is the time to secure speakers for your ERG, off-site, executive roundtable, fireside chat, cultural programming, conference, or other Heritage Month themed events.

Every topic I offer is customizable to the size and needs of your organization.

🔥 Culture as a Superpower: Leveraging Latino/a Heritage for Innovation and Growth
—> Focus:
Encouraging professionals to lead with cultural pride and bring their full selves to work.

🌟 Built to Thrive: How Latino Values Strengthen Teams
—> Focus:
Exploring the values that support collaboration, loyalty, and workplace connection.

❤️ The Human Side of Leadership: Timeless Wisdom from Latino Culture
—> Focus:
Bringing emotional intelligence and relational trust into everyday leadership.

Book Me:
Nancy Marmolejo
[email protected]

Want more details? Go here https://talentandgenius.com/LHM

07/10/2025

Stop defining your ideal clients by demographics alone.

Industry, company size, and revenue matter, but they don't tell the whole story.

The clients who become your biggest advocates often share these qualities:
• They see problems as opportunities for growth
• They value expertise and invest in solutions
• They're committed to implementing recommendations
• They communicate openly and respectfully

My favorite clients are mission-driven organizations with people-first leaders. By focusing in on these traits, I’ve landed in some industries I’d never imagine working with! Everything from NASA scientists to federal agencies to foresters to academics to hospitality leaders… and they remind me that people are more than data points.

When you consider psychographics—mindset, values, behavior—you attract clients who truly appreciate your work.

What qualities do your favorite clients share? I'd love to hear your observations.

07/07/2025

Consultants:

Your positioning should pass the mirror test.

Can you look at yourself and honestly say: "Yes, this is who I am and how I help people"?

If your positioning feels like a costume you're wearing, your ideal clients will sense it too.

Authentic positioning comes from:
✓ Understanding your natural strengths
✓ Honoring your unique perspective
✓ Speaking to people you genuinely want to serve

The right clients don't want a perfect consultant. They want the right consultant for them.

How do you ensure your positioning feels authentic to who you are?
—-----------------------
Ready to turn your expertise into a thriving consulting business? The Consultant's Lab gives you the roadmap to build with confidence. Learn more at https://talentandgenius.com/lab
----------------------------------
Think of this feed as your reminder that leadership can be human, inclusive, and impactful—all at once. Follow me to stay in the conversation.

07/03/2025

"They're going to figure out I don't know what I'm doing."

This thought hit me 10 minutes before my first big client presentation.

Here I was, about to advise a team of engineers on communication, and my brain decided to remind me of every mistake I'd ever made.

Imposterism in consulting hits different because:
• You're literally being paid for your expertise
• Clients often know more about their industry than you do
• Every engagement feels like a test of your credibility

The rocket scientists I work with don’t need me to understand physics. They need me to help them communicate more empathetically with those they lead. Once I lock into that thought, I know I’m the smartest person in the room in my area of expertise.

When does imposterism hit you hardest?
========================================

A successful consulting business isn't rocket science. The Consultant's Lab helps you build unshakeable confidence in your unique value. Learn more: https://talentandgenius.com/lab

07/01/2025

Month 1: "I have too much work! I'm booked solid!"
Month 2: "Where did all my clients go? Is my phone broken?"

Welcome to the feast or famine cycle—every new consultant's nightmare.

When you're busy, you stop marketing.
When you're slow, you panic and take any project.
When you're desperate, you undercharge.
Rinse and repeat.

I did my time on this exhausting roller coaster until I learned something crucial: Sustainable consulting businesses are built on systems.

The most successful consultants I know are the ones who figured out how to create predictable client flow.

Are you tired of the feast or famine cycle?
The Consultant's Lab teaches you how to build sustainable client attraction systems that smooth out the ups and downs. Learn more: https://talentandgenius.com/lab

Leverage your expertise, make a meaningful impact, and create the lifestyle you desire. Nancy Marmolejo will show you how inside The Consultant's Lab.

06/30/2025

"I've been consulting for 3 years and I'm still not sure how much I should charge."

Sound familiar? (And trust me... it's OK if it does!)

You know you're good at what you do.
Clients get results.
You have credibility and certifications.
But... pricing still feels like guesswork.

Maybe you're:
• Still charging what you charged 3 years ago
• Afraid to raise rates with existing clients
• Watching newer consultants charge more with confidence
• Second-guessing yourself every time you send a proposal

Here's the thing: Pricing confidence doesn't come from years of experience. It comes from having a clear framework that aligns your value with client outcomes.

Even established consultants need fresh perspective on positioning their evolved expertise.

Ready to price with confidence? The Consultant's Lab gives experienced consultants the frameworks to value their expertise appropriately. Explore: https://talentandgenius.com/lab

06/27/2025

Your consulting journey doesn't have to look like anyone else's. It just needs to be authentically yours.

A decade ago, I made a big decision: to switch my focus from coaching personal development solopreneurs to consulting with larger organizations around interpersonal skills and leadership.

I realized I had spent all of my time surrounded by people who were in constant conversations about self-awareness. It became clear I had to escape that bubble and go to where I was really needed: spaces where personal growth and emotional intelligence were NOT part of the day-to-day conversation.

It was the best decision ever. I know the impactful work my team and I do with organizations is healing toxic workplace cultures AND introducing many to happier lives.

Whether I’m working with rocket scientists on communication skills, university faculty on giving and receiving feedback, nonprofit leaders on inclusion and belonging, or executive teams on spotting microaggressions—we’re the safe space for people who are brilliant at their technical work but need help with the interpersonal skills that make teams thrive and lead.

What's a big decision you made that changed the course of your career or business?
—-----------------------
Ready to turn your expertise into a thriving consulting business? The Consultant's Lab gives you the roadmap to build with confidence. Learn more at https://talentandgenius.com/lab
----------------------------------
Think of this feed as your reminder that leadership can be human, inclusive, and impactful—all at once. Follow me to stay in the conversation.

06/18/2025

Let’s stop treating compassion like a “nice-to-have.”
It’s a leadership skill. It’s a culture builder.
It’s a game changer.

✨ Compassion is strategic.
✨ Compassion is effective.
✨ Compassion is a workplace competency.

Too often, we separate what we call “professional” from what is deeply human—kindness, empathy, understanding. But what if we flipped the script? What if compassion was recognized not as an optional bonus, but as a critical competency in every workplace?

Compassion builds trust.
It defuses conflict.
It strengthens communication.
And it creates the kind of environment where people feel safe enough to take risks, share ideas, and grow.

Tag a leader who leads with heart. Let’s amplify what good leadership looks like.