#MeetCoolPeople MCP094 How Your Presence Impacts Professional Success w/ Julie Jones
I’m excited for today’s #MeetCoolPeople episode, because I caught up with my friend Julie Jones, and wow, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear if you want to discover the post powerful skills you can learn to stand out and get ahead. Both in business and in your personal life!
Julie is a people skills strategist and business etiquette expert. She runs Today’s Professional Consulting and Development, helping others upgrade their leadership, people skills, and overall professionalism. We first connected at an event I was speaking at (shoutout to Sheryl Powers for connecting us!), and immediately clicked around our shared love for better communication.
Julie shared how she pivoted from classroom teaching to entrepreneurship, after seeing the gap between what’s taught in schools and what businesses actually want. She told the story behind getting certified in etiquette training, the pushback she faced, and why she stuck with it anyway.
We also talked a lot about why soft skills matter more than ever, especially post-pandemic. Julie explains how everything from showing up prepared to having a real conversation (not just texting) makes a difference.
Here are a few takeaways:
- The way you show up matters. People notice how you dress, how you greet others, and your overall presence, even on video calls.
- Being professional isn’t about expensive clothes, it’s about effort. Looking put-together leads people to trust you more.
- Face-to-face time is valuable. Isolation drains creativity and weakens relationships. Even introverts need community.
- Social skills are learned, not just “natural.” Anyone can improve with simple steps around etiquette, greetings, and active listening.
- Emotional intelligence is huge for leaders. Knowing your own triggers, reading others, and communicating across styles can boost your impact.
You’ll especially want to hear Julie’s thoughts on teaching kids these skills early and why family dinners may be the best training ground for young professionals.
Be sure to connect with Julie and let her know you heard her on the #MeetCoolPeople Podcast:
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