As radical a concept as emotional intelligence was in the ‘90s, connectional intelligence is turning people into super connectors who accelerate innovation, break down silos and foster breakthrough impact.
Connectional intelligence is the ability to unlock the power of relationships and networks to drive innovation, sales and growth, according to Erica Dhawan, top management thinker, founder and CEO of business management consultancy Cotential.
- Dhawan will be the keynote speaker at PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference 2025 in Coronado, California.
“In the promotional products industry, this means going beyond transactional sales and fostering deeper client relationships by understanding their evolving needs,” Dhawan says.
Erica Dhawan
WLC 2025 Keynote Speaker
By leveraging connectional intelligence, promo pros can:
- Identify strategic partnerships to co-create unique offerings with suppliers and clients.
- Harness data-driven insights to personalize recommendations and create meaningful brand experiences.
- Leverage storytelling and client testimonials to showcase the impact of branded products and build trust.
“The best promotional product professionals don’t just sell; they connect, collaborate and create solutions that leave a lasting impact,” Dhawan says.
Moments Of Connection
In her keynote session, Dhawan will shift the notion of collaboration from more meetings and emails to productive engagement that improves speed and quality of service, increases subject matter expertise and specialist sharing across silos, reduces cross-team dysfunction and eliminates duplicative work.
- Named one of the top 50 management thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, she is the author of two bestselling books: Get Big Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence (also the title of her keynote session) and Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance.
Dhawan stresses that remote work doesn’t have to mean disconnected teams. In fact, the best leaders create intentional moments of connection by designing rituals of connection, reinforcing micro-recognition and encouraging serendipitous collaboration.
“By making connection a daily habit – not just an occasional event – leaders can cultivate strong team camaraderie, even from a distance,” Dhawan says.
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Authenticity amongst colleagues – and customers – is key. Dhawan says that promo pros can foster real engagement by prioritizing personal touchpoints, such as a handwritten note or a well-timed branded gift, engaging through digital body language and leveraging social proof and community-driven marketing.
“Showcasing real-life success stories and user-generated content builds credibility and fosters trust,” Dhawan says. “The more human you make your digital interactions, the more authentic and impactful they become.”
Register Now For WLC
Dhawan will join several other speakers at WLC, which takes place June 23-25 at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in Coronado, California.
Early bird registration is now open for the event. Click here to register.
