Meet Skot Welch | Creator. Connector and Communicator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Skot Welch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Skot, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
As I take a look back over my career so far, there are a few things that I have learned so far about the “why” behind my success – 1) my priority is how it will positively impact the lives of the end user, for real, not in “theory”. 2) I’m really interested in bringing “communities” together that perhaps, haven’t been in the same “room” at the same time before and whether or not they agree with each other, I still want them to hear each other out. I also have a strong interest in amplifying voices that are not heard or “centered” often 3) I truly believe in assembling teams where people are already excellent at what they do but who are willing to check their egos at the door – they have to have a servants heart (and they have to love people) 4) Although I’ve been working in my discipline for over 25 years and have been published nationally and globally, I don’t identify as an “expert” but as a senior beginner – it keeps me learning, flexible and open minded and finally 5) I constantly rely on God’s help in everything I do, every deal I put together and every initiative I lead. I’ know that I can’t do this alone.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My primary business is called Global Bridgebuilders (GBB) and discipline in which I have been involved over the past 25 years is in the area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (way before DEI was a term:-). What sets my/our work apart is our orientation around the ‘process” DEI and not the “program” of DEI. Programs which are more common than I’d like to mention. Our focus at GBB is a process framework grounded in a comprehensive set of metrics which are derived from a set of proprietary tools that we created and continue to improve. We focus on the innovative potential that is present when heterogeneous/diverse groups are present. We tie this directly into the growth of our clients business whatever their size and regardless of the domestic or global footprint. We love putting our clients at the center and helping them become a place people don’t simply feel welcome but where they feel that they belong, show up fully and do their best work – not for sake of being “PC” but because it’s a sustainable and smart way to do business. This is food for our soul at GBB. Of course, building a firm that is unique, relevant and cutting edge is never easy. Why? One of the key reasons is because “cutting edge” often has no map to follow. You have to be willing to plow and chart your own path, fail forward, stay focused on what’s important and make sure that you offer real help to your clients. One of the things that I think is important for folks to know about me is that I am unafraid to start something from scratch, I love collaborating, pioneering things if it solves a real problem and I don’t ask for permission to do what I believe is the right thing to do if it creates something that is of value and has impact.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think I would start first at our amazing lakeshore and take time to hang out on the beach for at least an afternoon. Then I would make sure to stop at the most amazing “one off” restaurants where you can truly taste the love in the food. After that, we’d have to have a serious cup of the best coffee (or tea) and have those beverages in real cups – not paper – which would ensure that we don’t rush. We’d then head downtown by car, park and then strike out on foot where I would curate and provide a narrative of some of the history – the good and bad – of our great city. After a lengthy walk, we’d go grab an adult beverage and talk about what we’ve seen. We’d then head to other cool neighborhoods that make our city, a cool city. During the week, we’d meet with a variety of folks from different walks of life to tell their stories and discuss where they are most interested in making an impact and how they are (or plan to do that). At that point, we’d discuss what I’ve missed and what they’d like to do – and we get it done.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really want to give a shoutout to my wife and two amazing young adult children but in addition, my mom as well as the host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand parents surrogate mom’s, dad’s and finally the teams that I’ve been so fortunate to both lead and be a part of – all of whom have been so gracious, patient and loving.

Website: Www.globalbridgebuilders.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skot-welch-32a0194/

Other: www.mosaicfilmexperience.com Www.belonginginitiative.us https://newcommunityfund.com/

Image Credits
Alfield Reeves Photography