Kelly McDonald: How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You

About Kelly McDonald:

Kelly McDonald is an acclaimed speaker who specializes in consumer trends and changing demographics. She is the president of McDonald Marketing and has authored four bestselling books on the customer experience, leadership, and marketing -- all from the standpoint of working with people "not like you".  Her book, How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You has been on two bestseller lists.

 

In this episode, Dean Newlund and Kelly McDonald discuss:

• Working with people different from ourselves
• Trust and psychological safety in teams
• The evolution of DEI language
• The role of communication in collaboration
• Human connection in a post-COVID workplace

 

Key Takeaways:

• Vulnerability-based trust, which must be deliberately earned and reciprocated, is essential for teams to navigate differences effectively and unlock higher performance through deeper collaboration.
• Using clear, direct, and jargon-free language builds credibility and psychological safety within teams, enabling faster decision-making and stronger alignment across diverse perspectives.
• Although working with people who are different from us is inherently more challenging, those efforts consistently yield statistically better business outcomes, creativity, and engagement.
• As terms like DEI become politically charged, forward-thinking organizations are embracing timeless, inclusive language like “belonging” and “community” to maintain commitment while reducing friction.

 

"Trust and vulnerability absolutely have to be earned, and they have to be cultivated, and they have to be reciprocated.” — Kelly McDonald

 

Connect with Kelly McDonald: 

Website: https://www.mcdonaldmarketing.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellycmcdonald/

Book: How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You: https://www.amazon.com/How-Work-Lead-People-Like/dp/1119369959

X (Twitter): https://x.com/kellycmcdonald

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kellycmcdonald

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelly.mcdonald_speaker/

 

 

 

 

See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I

 

Connect with Dean:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw

Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/

The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund

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