Dr. Kelly Waltman – Author of “Elevate Connection: Cultivate an Engaged, Inspired, Productive, and Profitable Team Culture”

How To Build a Million-Dollar Culture with Dr. Kelly Waltman

Mike interviews Dr. Kelly Waltman.

On this latest episode of Million Dollar Stories, Dr. Kelly Waltman joined the conversation to share insights from her book, Elevate Connection: Cultivate an Engaged, Inspired, Productive, and Profitable Team Culture. Now, let’s be real here—this isn’t just another book on “leadership skills.” Dr. Waltman dives into what it really takes to build a culture that doesn’t just survive but thrives and empowers people to push a business forward, whether it’s a small start-up or a growing company on the rise.

Elevate Connection is a blueprint for building a culture that doesn’t just get by. It’s about creating an environment where people are engaged, valued, and committed to the mission. And here’s the kicker: it’s not about just making people “happy” at work. It’s about fostering a place where they’re fired up, productive, and in it for the long haul.

SUMMARY

Dr. Waltman’s take on communication is all about honesty. Feedback is the bedrock of a thriving team, and she doesn’t sugarcoat it. A study by Office Vibe found that 98% of employees check out if they’re not receiving feedback, and that’s something Dr. Waltman emphasized: honest, constructive feedback is what keeps people engaged and invested. If you’re not giving it, you guarantee that your team will start coasting, check out, and eventually let your business down.

But here’s where Dr. Waltman’s perspective gets interesting. She explains that giving feedback isn’t about being the boss who throws out critiques from an ivory tower; it’s about respect and investment in people’s growth. When done right, feedback shows employees that you believe in their potential and want them to succeed.

In the episode, I shared a personal example. There was a time I had to pull aside a star employee for a complicated conversation. Sure, I could’ve ignored the issue and hoped they’d get back on track. But instead, I told them, “You’re better than this.” It stung for them, sure, but they stepped up, and later, when I praised their performance, it meant something real. That’s what Dr. Waltman’s book is about—tough love that pushes people toward their best, giving them that nudge to grow and perform. Communication, both good and bad, keeps the whole team moving forward.

Dr. Waltman explains that feedback isn’t just pointing out the “bad stuff.” It’s a tool for growth. Good feedback lets people know what they’re doing right, so they keep doing it, while constructive feedback shows them where they can improve. When you take feedback seriously, you’re investing in their growth; they can feel that.

Dr. Waltman’s analogy is spot-on: feedback is like adding weight to a workout. You don’t lift the same weight every day and expect growth. That extra resistance—honest conversations—pushes people to confront their weaknesses and strengthen their skills. When you create this culture, employees know they’re in an environment that demands and enables their best.

Dr. Waltman has taken her philosophies to the big stage, from iHeartRadio features to a YouTube series, and she offers workshops and keynotes on leadership and team culture. Her website, DrKellyWaltman.com, has resources for leaders who want to build strong, engaged teams. For anyone ready to dig in, her book, Elevate Connection, is available on Amazon, and it’s loaded with insights on how to create an engaged, inspired, productive, and profitable team culture.

One standout part of our conversation was about brand consistency. Dr. Waltman keeps it uniform across all platforms—from Instagram to TikTok, it’s all @DrKellyWaltman. This speaks to her entire philosophy on communication and clarity, a model for how leaders can consistently and effectively show up for their teams.

Mike Fallat and Dr. Kelly Waltman talk about the book Elevate Connection: Cultivate an Engaged, Inspired, Productive, and Profitable Team Culture.

Dr. Waltman’s message is simple for businesses pushing toward the million-dollar mark: hire the right people, invest in their growth, and commit to an authentic culture. It’s easy to ignore the “soft” stuff and focus purely on performance numbers, but here’s the reality—when your culture is strong, it amplifies every other aspect of your business. It means you’re attracting better clients, retaining top talent, and building something that can weather the inevitable challenges.

Culture isn’t just for big corporations with hundreds of employees. A strong culture will be the backbone of your growth, even if you’re a startup or a small team. Dr. Waltman clearly states that culture is essential for growing businesses. You’re building something from scratch, and it’s the foundation that keeps everything steady as you scale.

Dr. Waltman’s Elevate Connection is more than a guide to leadership; it’s a game plan for building a culture that keeps your business firm. Her emphasis on engagement, open communication, and consistent feedback shows how to create an environment where people feel valued and invested, ultimately pushing your business closer to the million-dollar mark.

If you’re ready to dive deeper, visit DrKellyWaltman.com and pick up Elevate Connection on Amazon. It’s a must-read for leaders focused on long-term growth.

Get her book here:

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Kelly-Waltman-ebook/dp/B08XN35HGP/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=2E8EWX5YCRBT4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7tIokfAA610nYZa722dxHQ.p6Q3VTsbHQol8BcbhS0ezH4BkKOqQ27DwtHA6y6fJi8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Elevate+Connection%3A+Cultivate+an+Engaged%2C+Inspired%2C+Productive%2C+and+Profitable+Team+Culture.&qid=1730213422&sprefix=elevate+connection+cultivate+an+engaged%2C+inspired%2C+productive%2C+and+profitable+team+culture.%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1

About Mike Fallat

Mike Fallat, aka The BookMan, is the owner of Dreamstarters Publishing and the Million Dollar Book Agency. They have helped 300+ entrepreneurs become bestselling authors. His goal is to help 1,000 entrepreneurs publish books and teach them how to use their books as a gateway to generating 7-figures.

Visit website for more information: https://www.milliondollarbookagency.com/

About Dreamstarters Publishing


Dreamstarters Publishing offers ghostwriting, cover design, and everything that is required to take an idea to a finished book (kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook).


The Million Dollar Book Agency is the ultimate marketing CRM system for author-preneurs. Services include automated funnels, lead generation campaigns, book fulfillment, podcast management, press releases, virtual assistants, course development, and more.

Mike also hosts a podcast known as Million Dollar Stories and runs a membership-based site known as Million Dollar Circle. In addition to owning the book business, he invests in self storage real estate.

https://dreamstarterspublishing.com/

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