Macklin Connect: Session Leader Deb Dendy

Meet Deb Dendy. Deb is an entrepreneur in the semiconductor industry with over 30 years of success building teams and companies from the ground up. She has developed her career by fostering a strong network of business relationships across the world. Deb is also a mother of three. One of her greatest feelings of accomplishment is the deep connection she shares with her young adult children. Deb uses the Macklin Method daily to strengthen these critical relationships both at work and at home.

As a session leader for the Macklin Method Workshops and member of the MacklinConnection Leadership Team, Deb applies her knowledge and experience to help others expand their professional networks and build authentic interpersonal relationships. In this interview, Deb shares ways MacklinConnection has positively impacted her life, and how her role as a session leader has enabled her to make a difference—particularly in the lives of young people. 
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What is  your area of focus as a MacklinConnection Session Leader? 

My passion is to help people learn how to create authentic relationships in their personal lives as well as early in their professional careers.  The power of great networks is so amazing, and I sometimes feel that this skill is overlooked in school as we “train” students to compete with others for a grade or recognition and to “do the work themselves”. The old adage “It’s not what you know but who you know” still rings very true today. Social scientists, psychologists, and data scientists have studied the power of networks and find overwhelmingly that people who can build and cultivate strong networks are happier and do better in their careers than the lone rangers. So I think the earlier in their lives people can learn this the better — and the earlier they can start being happier and more at peace with themselves and others throughout their careers.  

What’s your favorite aspect of leading workshops geared toward recent graduates and young professionals?  

Where do I start?  The young adults I’ve worked with have amazing points of view.  They are very in tune with others and want to live happier, more balanced lives throughout their careers. I think I have a lot to learn from them. One of my favorite quotes is from Shawn Anchor in his book Big Potential: “The more you help people find their light, the brighter you both will shine.” I truly believe that our workshop participants enable each other to find their light and shine even brighter in the world. To be a part of that unfolding is an amazing experience for me.

How can MacklinConnection make a difference in the lives of those who are new to the workforce? Why should recent graduates consider enrolling in a MacklinConnection workshop? 

What I’ve noticed is that school doesn’t always prepare students for how to work well with others and build relationships with people of all ages. You are taught how to be an individual and even compete against your peers. However, science is showing us that happiness and success in your life and your career is not just based on you. It’s tied to the people around you and how well you can create authentic relationships to collaborate and communicate better with them. Learning and working with the Macklin Method will also enable people early in their careers to adapt to work in the Fifth Revolution where building trusting relationships with others will be essential. This is why I think MacklinConnection is so important for recent graduates and people early in their careers. 

What do you enjoy most about being a MacklinConnection Session Leader? 

I amplify my learning and practice with the Macklin Method by being a session leader. Every workshop is a little different because of the different people I get to engage with. I learn something new from them every time.  I’ve seen people transform their understanding in front of my very eyes, and many have told me the workshop has been life changing for them.  

How did you first hear about MacklinConnection and come to join one of their workshops? 

Over five years ago, my friend Angelia Ewing was leading a workshop for MacklinConnection and invited me to participate. I immediately accepted because Angelia has always been a great source of help for me personally and professionally.  After having the opportunity to work with Ron and Angelia, and using what I had learned to build closer, more trusting relationships with my kids, I knew I wanted to be a part of bringing this unique method to others.  

How has your experience with MacklinConnection impacted your professional life? How has it impacted your personal life?  

Before working with MacklinConnection, I always tried to keep my professional and personal “lives” separate. While working with MacklinConnection, what I found was that bringing who I was in my personal and professional lives together, and being vulnerable and open, was the path to building trust with others. Building trust made my connections with others even better and, I have to say, a whole lot more fun. I no longer have “co-workers” but friends. And how cool is that? Getting to go to work everyday with your friends! In my personal life, I’ve used the Macklin Method often but experienced the best outcomes with my young adult kids. I learned how to be with them in a different way which made us closer. It has also given me a sense of profound peace, and I am so thankful to Ron for making this unique knowledge available to others. I can truly say it has changed my life for the better and I’m blessed to get to bring it to others too.

What else would you like to share about your experience with MacklinConnection? 

When I started my first workshop, I kept asking myself “What is this? Can this really work?” And then, when I started practicing and really engaging with the Macklin Method, my relationships started to change for the better. I also felt happier because I was bringing my authentic self to others rather than trying to be who I thought they wanted me to be. I had to unlearn some things I learned in school and early in my career like “Do it yourself so you can get the credit,” or “Don’t show others you need help.” Using the Macklin Method helped me overcome these limited ways of thinking and expand my career in new areas.  

Tell us a little bit about yourself! What’s your favorite hobby?

I’m originally from Wisconsin (Go Badgers!) and a big sports fan. I moved to Arizona over 30 years ago to start my career and I loved it so much, I stayed. I’m definitely a beach person and love to kayak or just walk along looking for the perfect seashell.  I love to play tennis in Arizona year round.  I’ll be honest — I’m not sure it’s as much about tennis anymore as it is about the amazing friends I have made along the way. 

Favorite thing to do in Phoenix?

Hanging out with friends — and did I mention tennis?

Favorite movie/TV show/book?

• Movie: Princess Bride
• TV show: Ted Lasso
• Right now — my favorite book is Big Potential by Shawn Anchor
• Other favorite books: 

• Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
• The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See