49 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Mount Pleasant resident Christopher D. Connors believes all of us can be champions, for our families, neighbors, colleagues and the people we lead. As an author, speaker and business coach, Connors’ third book, “The Champion Leader: Harnessing the Power of Emotional Intelligence to Build High-Performing Teams,” set to release on May 7, encourages readers to lead with emotional intelligence and authenticity. Hailing from Long Island, New York, Connors has lived in the Hamlin Plantation neighborhood for seven years with his wife, Tosha Connors, CEO of My Sister’s House and their three children. A former college athlete and high school basketball coach, Connors fell in love with the camaraderie of people coming together to win as a team. Spending most of his business career working in the management consulting industry and leading major program management efforts, along the way he learned the importance of putting people first in business. “When people genuinely enjoy connecting with one another and believe in each other, it makes it that much easier to come together to achieve a mission, goals and incredible results,” Connors said. “I knew I wanted to speak to audiences about the incredible power of emotional intelligence and how it can transform our lives and how we can lead others to elevate them and transform their lives.” With a dad who championed his growth and development throughout his life and career, Connors is passionate about inspiring others to lead with the same heart. “The Champion Leader is dedicated to my father, who passed away in October 2022,” explained Connors. “He modeled these principles for me and my brothers all throughout our lives and showed us what it means to lead like a champion — with heart, authenticity, candor, empathy and assertiveness.” Executive coaching, team-building workshops on emotional intelligence and keynote speeches delivered to clients all over the world are some of the ways Connors shares his passion for authentic leadership with others. He is also the author of the LinkedIn Learning course, “Leading with Emotional Intelligence,” one of the top courses on the site. Locally, Connors has been fortunate to coach leaders in the community, including a chief technology officer for a financial services firm. “The Champion Leader” stands to inspire readers to improve self-management, motivation, empathy and connection. “This is a personal development book that has applicability in business and in life,” Connors added. Connors hopes his dad’s legacy will carry forward through his book, and his own voice as a community leader. “I used his story as a model to be able to articulate that we can be that for other people, we can champion someone’s growth and development and we can lead with kindness.” Building a Champion Local author coaches readers into leaders Learn more by visiting chrisdconnors.com. BY HEATHER ROSE ARTUSHIN family
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