Enterprenuer
Erin Thorp is an empathic keynote speaker, writer, and coach for leaders who have difficulty with conflict, communication, or performance during high stress.
She assists leaders in managing difficult conversations, building strong teams, and communicating with empathy to enable them to lead confidently.
Erin worked for 20 years in masculine-dominated construction and engineering industries.
She noticed that her colleagues were skilled and deeply concerned about their work.
Many could not fully hold their emotions and were unable or unwilling to share their thoughts with others.
Erin’s managers repeatedly told her that she was too emotional and needed to “stuff herself together.”
She soon realized that there was a massive gap in the training of technical leaders.
The “soft” skills — empathy, vulnerability, connection — that she learned were the most difficult to acquire.
Still, they are crucial to making leaders impact their lives, companies, and the wider world.
Erin began to reflect on the treatment of her employees during the pandemic.
She observed the same patterns in large corporations and entrepreneurs alike leaders and decided to do something about it.
Erin now runs her leadership business full time.
Erin is currently writing a nonfiction book on leadership about navigating new situations.
She authored Inside Out Empathy in 2017. Her motherhood and career inspired it.
The book explores how empathy can be used to create effective teams.
Erin is preparing to launch her Inside Out Leader Program in early 2022.
This six-month virtual program is exclusively for leaders from all walks who want to harness their leadership superpowers and build, develop and inspire high-performance teams.
She believes there is a leader within everyone.
She frequently shares her knowledge as an event speaker and facilitator at various events.
To name a few, CCWESTT Conference and the 4H Canada-Alberta Leadership Conference, University of Calgary Engineering Leadership Program, WomenIN Network, and Women Building Futures Conference.
Schneider Electric and Atlas Gas have provided her workshops.
Erin has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from Calgary.
She is also an Associate Certified Coach through Integral Coaching Canada.
She currently lives in Calgary, Alberta, with Matthew, her husband, and their three children, Olivia, Thomas, and Henry.
She enjoys reading and cooking with her family in her spare time.
What is the story of Inside Out Leadership?
After working in the construction industry for 20 years, I realized the tremendous opportunity to increase individual and team productivity by developing power skills.
I hate to write soft skills, hence the power skills.
Being a high potential employee for many years, I was told repeatedly that I needed to learn more about the industry, projects, and people to succeed.
It is true that we learn more about ourselves and go further.
It is impossible to take a group of people other than what we are willing and able to travel.
How do you stay productive?
I wake up at 5:30 am, feed my pets, and walk my dog.
I can’t think about it too much or make it seem unnecessary.
This morning, I enjoyed the freshness of the air.
After ‘me time’ with the dog, I return to the house to wake up the kids, make lunches, and organize our day.
We discuss dinner and evening events and who is going where.
My office is usually open between 8–9 am and you will find me there for the next 6-8 hours. Sometimes it’s client-facing work.
Other days, I plan, build, or check in on processes and systems.
When the youngest comes home from school, I try to be online by 3:30 pm.
Everyone is home by 4:30 pm, and the house is whole again of energy.
Anyone can enjoy evenings – they often include dinner as a family, watching sporting events, and running errands to keep the family of five moving.
I do my best not to switch between tasks until I’m done.
I also try not to multitask. Focused work is more productive for me.
I get more done if I focus on one task at a given time.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I call a friend, coach, or business partner to discuss my thoughts and gain perspective.
My happy place is when the idea begins to come together.
Then, I can start building a plan and then executing it.
What’s your favorite trend?
Instead of the current live-to-work approach, you can opt for the 4-day work week and return to work to live!
What habits make you productive?
Rest! We have learned a lot, but it’s a difficult lesson.
We need to recharge our batteries, take less time, get more done, and feel overwhelmed.
Like the iPhone and computer, I find that taking a few days off, disconnecting from my computer, playing, and resting is a great way to keep my energy up and help me do my best work.
What advice would you give to your yongerself?
It is essential to rest. Self-care does not need to be selfish.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
Our children have much to teach us about rest, productivity, and playing.
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
Set goals, review them regularly, and adjust your actions based on working. Repetition!!
What’s your rich strategy?
Refer a friend! My network includes excellent professionals who excel at their trade.
We all keep to our paths and refer business back-and-forth between each other.
My team and I often discover different areas in the business that require support when we work together:
- systems
- processes
- social media
- copywriting
- finances
And more.
How do you overcome Failure?
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure of myself. I was a long-term employee in a corporate company and never dreamed of becoming my boss.
Five years ago, I would probably have said that the job I am now was a dream and not something I was working towards.
I was stuck for many years because of this lack of trust.
I searched for direction and answers, believing that I didn’t know what to do.
In the last year, I have been working to rebuild my trust.
I am aware of my strengths, and I work with business consultants, coaches, and friends to help me in areas where I’m weaker.
I don’t think I need all the information.
I need to feel right and check in to ensure I am on the right track.
Can you share a business idea?
Large families (6+) can get meal kit delivery.
The price per meal is significantly different between the two options.
The current subscriptions only offer opportunities for 2 to 4 people.
I don’t want two subscriptions before you tell me to order for 2 or 4 people.
What’s your recent best buy?
A new haircut. A good haircut gives me confidence, and I love it!
What are your favorite Softwares or Apps?
Batching my social media content is a great way to save time and avoid doing it every day.
Hootsuite is my current tool for planning and scheduling my content.
Although I have used other services, I keep returning to Hootsuite because it is easy and affordable.
Which book would you recommend?
Tiffany Shlain, 24/6 Here’s where you can start more about rest, productivity, and play.
It’s an entertaining read with tons of resources.
It is a great read that I return to every year and always learn something new.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Keep going even when you’re going through hell”
Winston Churchill
TL;DR by Erin Thorp
Do not switch tasks between them until they are completed.
It is essential to rest.
Self-care does not mean being selfish.
Children are great examples of connecting rest, productivity, and play.
Set goals, review them regularly, and adjust your actions based on work.
