Confessions of a Conference Co-Presenter: Google, Growth, and Getting Gutsy!

Debra Coleman [00:00:10]:
Well, hello. Hello. And welcome back to another mini cast episode of Have A Seat, Conversations With Women in the Work Place podcast. I am your host, Deb Coleman. Hey. Hello. Yes. It's me jumping on the mic again for another mini cast.

Debra Coleman [00:00:25]:
Can you believe we have another mini cast? I I can because I plan it out that way. Well, welcome. Welcome to another mini cast episode. This is the type of episode where I steal the mic from my wonderful guests. And I just hop on and chat with you about the latest happenings in my world, in the EAAA space, or just for women in the workplace in general. So welcome to another one of these. I do try to keep these on the shorter side. I do tend to be a babbling brook, but I promise to rein it in and to focus and to get through this mini cast to make better use of your time.

Debra Coleman [00:01:00]:
So with that being said, welcome, and I hope you are having a wonderful week so far. Well, this is dropping an early week, so I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you will have a wonderful week ahead. So alrighty. Let's see. I really just wanted to hop on the mic today to talk to you about my recent experience speaking at a conference for administrative professionals. Yes. I did it. I spoke for real.

Debra Coleman [00:01:31]:
Now, let me back it up a minute. Okay. So I have I was offered an opportunity to be a guest a guest speaker, by my very good friend and colleague, This girl is on fire, literally on fire, and I love all that she stands for and all that she's about. I've been following her and a colleague of her for years. She is just I will have a link to her platform in the show notes. You have got if you are in the AA or EA or office manager or any executive assistant, administrative assistant space at all, you it is a must. You have to click the link I'm going to provide. Your life will change.

Debra Coleman [00:02:22]:
Trust. Trust. But I was offered to be a to speak with along not I don't wanna say, like, alongside her because she definitely was like, it was her conference, but she offered me the opportunity to do 2 things. 1, to, speak at a session. So, like, she had the first session and the third session and so on and so forth. But the second session, she offered to me. Would you like to speak? You know, it it'd be 75 minutes of just, you know, speaking on a couple of topics. And, it would also, you know, help break up the day a little bit for her.

Debra Coleman [00:02:56]:
You know, we all we it's helpful if we don't have to be on that long. Right? So I was like, you know what? Yeah. Let's do the thing. I was nervous, but I said, yeah. Let's do it. You know, because of my podcast, because I speak to all of you every week, and also because I've presented before at virtual conferences since 2020. I've been speaking virtually and in some instance, in a global setting. Right? I've done PPPA for, gosh, 4, 3, 4 years now, which we all know or maybe you don't know, but Practically Perfect PAs virtual conferences are broadcast globally.

Debra Coleman [00:03:32]:
So I've spoken to attendees in Spain and UK and, you know, all over the place, in the United States, all over. So speaking virtually at at conferences, I've done it, and I love it. Like, that is just my wheelhouse. I and I really love that. So the thought of actually speaking to, like, doing the same exact thing, but live and in front of people, like standing up in front of people with a microphone. Oh my god. It like, to to quote my favorite TikToker, oh my god. Like, it just, if anyway, if the if you know, you know.

Debra Coleman [00:04:05]:
So I was nervous, but it was a type of nervous that I needed to I needed to experience in aside from being like, my nerd my knee jerk reaction when she asked me, of course, was yes. Let's do the thing. To partner with Melissa on anything is, like, tie yourself to a rocket and let it just go. Like, she is amazing. She will elevate everybody who's in her orbit. So that was an automatic yes on that front. Secondarily, yes. I was nervous.

Debra Coleman [00:04:34]:
But 3rd, and probably most importantly, I mean, hand to god, I looked at this as an opportunity to grow. Because I firmly believe in some cases where there is fear or nervousness, there's there's also an opportunity to grow yourself either professionally, personally, or e all the above. And that's exactly how I took that. I believe there can be growth in the uncomfortable moments in those un in those professional uncomfortable moments, sometimes depending on the moment and depending on circumstances, there can be incredible growth there. And for me as a podcaster and as someone who wants to moderate events more like that, like, either virtually or or or, you know, face to face in person, I have got to step out of my comfort zone, which is talking to you like this, and do it live when I'm and when I am offered the opportunity. Or not even live, but just keep doing it, whether virtually or in person. I have got to keep growing that muscle, that presentation muscle, that speak to people come out of behind come out from behind the microphone in my personal podcast studio and actually, like, engage with people either, again, virtually or in person, but that whole, like, presentation engagement thing. So I'm just gonna take a moment and pat myself on the back because I actually did it.

Debra Coleman [00:05:58]:
Now let me tell you, prior to, like, the month month prior, right, there's all this planning and we were we knocked out what I was gonna talk about, and I did my research, did my homework. Oh my gosh. I was just a ball of nerves. Just a ball of nerves. I was, like, rehearsing and rehearsing because the way I looked at it was this. I did not it was my goal, and I know every presenter is different, and there's no right or wrong way. But for me, what I was envisioning is I did not wanna stand up in front of people. I didn't wanna stand behind the podium.

Debra Coleman [00:06:28]:
I wanted to move around. I didn't want to hold any sort of note cards or anything in my hand. I wanted to commit as much as I could to memory. I know. I know. I if you're, if you're rolling your eyes right now going, girl, I I'm with you. I totally because there was a part of me that was like, are you nuts? Like, this is your first time. Are you crazy? No.

Debra Coleman [00:06:51]:
You know? But I wanted to try. Like, I just I know I might have been setting myself up a little bit, but that was just and in a weird way, that made me feel more comfortable not relying on notes and relying on memory. Because when I engage with you, even like right now, I have maybe 1, 2, 3. I have 3 bullet points in front of me. That's it. I don't script out my mini casts. I do not I just don't do that. I script out not really script, but I have more of an outline, of course, when I talk to my guests because I wanna be courteous of them, and I wanna make sure I bring up all the points that I know you would appreciate hearing and they would appreciate discussing.

Debra Coleman [00:07:30]:
But on these mini casts, I'm telling you, I maybe have 3 or 4 bullet points in front of me, and that's it. And I just hit record and let the chips fall where they may. Because I like that in the moment impromptu kind of vibe, that conversational vibe. So that's what I was going for in the present in this presentation. So I was studying a lot. I felt really good about about the content, and so here we go. It's time for me to go. This took place at the University of Central Oklahoma, and this took place March 5th.

Debra Coleman [00:07:56]:
So it was a one day conference from, like, 8:30 to 3:30 or 3 ish. And, again, Melissa had the opening keynote. She had the first session, and I had the second session. And then she, of course, had the 3rd session, and she closed us out. And then on top of speaking at the second session, I was also given the chance to have a breakout room. So after lunch, we came you as an attendee, you would come back from lunch at this conference, and you had 2 options. You could either go stay in the main ballroom and discuss Microsoft tips and tricks with Melissa, which is banging by the way. It is awesome.

Debra Coleman [00:08:33]:
I'm low key sorry I missed that because as somebody who uses Microsoft at work, I would have loved to have seen that, but I've seen Melissa do do that before. And that's why I would love to see it again because you just learn something new every time she does it. And then in the other room, in the heritage room, you could you could come and be with me, and I would do the same thing, but in the Google verse, like, in the Google Workspace. So because I'm team Google. If you know me, I am so team Google. I I use Google outside of work. It's Google 100%. For my podcast, for my personal life, it's Google all the way.

Debra Coleman [00:09:08]:
I only am in Microsoft land, Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 3 PM because I have to for work. So anyway, so that and so that was my second part. So I had the session 2 inside the main ballroom after Melissa's keynote and her first session. We took a small break. And when we came back from break, then I was going to hit the stage. And let me tell you, during that break, I was nervous Nelly. I was so nervous because, like, every second was ticking closer to Melissa introducing me and me having to walk up on stage and take that microphone and start the thing. Oh my god.

Debra Coleman [00:09:46]:
I was, you guys, I was just a mess. I was a mess. I was a mess because speaking in front of people, let me tell you, it was at the again, at the University of Central Oklahoma, one day conference, about a 100 and oh, 40, maybe 30, 100 I forget. 135, 140 attendees. So over a 100 attendees sitting in a room staring at you. Right? Listening to what you're saying. So that was another reason why I wanted to memorize as much as I could. Now when I say memorize, I'm not memorizing word for word.

Debra Coleman [00:10:23]:
I'm memorizing what I'm talking about and then the concept behind it, an example, and then moving on. I had 75 minutes. Now let me tell you. Going into that, I'm like, how the heck am I gonna spill 75 minutes? That's wait. Was it 75? Yeah. I think it was 70. How the heck am I get? Wait. Was it 75? It might not have been exactly 75.

Debra Coleman [00:10:44]:
I'm sorry. It might have been less than that. I think it was 45 minutes. I'm sorry. I think I stand corrected. Anyway, whatever it was, it was it it could've it was like a Grand Canyon amount of time. I'm like, how the heck am I gonna fill that amount of time? And who the heck even cares what I have to say for that long? Right? Hold it. I mean, it totally helped, believe me, that I was among peers.

Debra Coleman [00:11:08]:
Right? There were AAs in the room. There were a few EAs sprinkled about, but mostly administrative assistants, of which I had been one up until, I don't know, 6 or 7 years ago. So I felt like, you know, I'm still a part of that community. I mean, we're all part of the same community, but I'm just saying, like, you know, it was comforting. And and and the the audience was also made up of a mixed bag of higher education administrative assistance, state agency administrative assistance, and then, like, other nonprofit organizations. So definitely my wheelhouse, definitely my community. So that part made me feel really comfortable because I was amongst friends. Like, the I got it.

Debra Coleman [00:11:49]:
I totally understand what it means to be a state employee, to be a higher ed employee, and to work for a nonprofit. Like, check, check, check. Like, I got it. You know, this is my community, but, holy crap. Still, I had to go in and fill in that time. So I I Melissa introduced me beautifully as she as as she does, and I grabbed the mic and I'm like, here we go. Breathe in, breathe out, and just do it. And so I started.

Debra Coleman [00:12:13]:
Now for context, I was tasked or asked with talking about common trends that are emerging for administrative professionals right now, something I had just spoken about at the PPPA conference. So I was very familiar with the content, which helped because I had just spoken about that. And then the second part of my talk was on, soft skills. And I just picked 2 top skills to talk about, emotional intelligence and communication. Now everything I talked about, I just touched on because I didn't have a lot of time to dive into anything deep. It was just we're gonna touch on it, give an example, move on. Touch on it, provide an example or a funny anecdote, you know, if it was, you know, something about me, about, you know, whatever it was, and then move on. That was my goal.

Debra Coleman [00:12:59]:
Like, touch, go. Touch, go. And let me tell you, I did that, but time flew. Before I knew it, we had a really good friend with us, Babs Cole. She what she is a good friend of Melissa. She's a fellow executive assistant. She came along to to be that sense of support, to help out with to be an extra set of hands for Melissa. And let me tell you, Babs is a diamond.

Debra Coleman [00:13:21]:
She is on it. She is so great. Thank you, miss Babs. If you ever listen to this, you are a rock star. And she was she was she was gonna cue me, like, hey. You know, you got 5 minutes left. You got 10 minutes left. Because I told her I can be a bit of a chatty Cathy.

Debra Coleman [00:13:36]:
And so I know if I'm starting to feel it, like, if I'm like, okay, I'm in the zone. You know, I got this microphone. I'm feeling good about myself. I'll still I'll keep talking, and I I won't know when to shut up, or when to go to the next topic, right? Because I'll get so involved in what I'm talking about. So I told her you got like, totally feel free to like flag me and say, hey, girl, wrap it up, you know? Well, before I knew it, you know, I was I went through all my emerging trends, tick, tick, tick, tick. And I was, like, over halfway through over halfway through my emotional intelligence, which is the which was the end. And I got a flag from her saying you're 10 minutes over. What? I was 10 minutes over, friends.

Debra Coleman [00:14:12]:
I couldn't believe it. I'm like, wait. How? When did that happen? Like, I just here I went. So I was so worried. As soon as I took that mic from Melissa, I'm like, there's no way I am gonna feel 45 minutes. There's just no way. There's no way. I'm totally gonna cut this down, like, to 30 minutes in.

Debra Coleman [00:14:30]:
Because I know I'm, like, in my nervousness, I'm probably gonna talk fast. In my nervousness, I'm probably gonna skip a whole bunch of material. Right? You know? But, oh my gosh. When she flagged me and said, you're 10 minutes over, I'm like, what? So I just I I noted that, and then I just kind of but it was okay because we had decided right before I went on also that we were actually going to trim down a little bit of my a bit what but what followed after that. So that was fine. So, actually, 10 minutes over really, like, actually did us a favor because we were trimming down something anyway. But still, I'm like, where did the time? I feel like I just started talking, and she was flagging me you're 10 minutes over. I'm like, wow.

Debra Coleman [00:15:11]:
So that was pretty cool. So let me tell you. And then, of course, that was over, and then I felt like a puddle on the floor. I'm like, yay. You know that I mean, the rest of the day, I was still like, you know, I mean this in all due respect. I'm just using this term just because it's one thing that comes to mind. I was Melissa's, like, sidekick the rest of the time, and I mean that in the best way. Like, I was just, like, you know, her her her her, copilot.

Debra Coleman [00:15:35]:
There you go. Maybe that's a better word. The rest of the time. Like, you know, she was guiding us and leading the conference. Like, this was very much her conference. But then I, like, I walked to the crowd with Bab. Like, Bab's and I took each took a mic and we got, you know, if there was a question from the crowd or I would ask a question to prompt, you know, to prompt more discussion, whatever. So it was great.

Debra Coleman [00:15:53]:
It was the rest of the day floated beautifully. Well, when we came back from lunch and it was time to split and, you know, Microsoft, Google, I knew I wouldn't have a big crowd because a lot of people are Microsoft at work. Right? So I knew I wouldn't have a big crowd, and I didn't, and I was absolutely fine with that. There were 9 people in my little breakout room. Perfect. Chef's kiss. That was perfect. Small group.

Debra Coleman [00:16:18]:
I even said, let's just let's just get informal. There's only 9 of us in here. I I didn't nerves were not even they didn't even enter the room. I was just like, let's do the thing. And I had, like, all my little slides and basically it was tips and tricks in Google. So I didn't really need to worry about talking or memorizing anything. It was just I was letting all my tips and tricks kinda do the guiding for me on leading the discussion. And that's exactly what it was.

Debra Coleman [00:16:41]:
We were just sharing, discussing, asking questions. It was an awesome session that went for an hour and 15 minutes. That one was long. But, again, before I knew it, the door was opening and our conference organizer was like, hey. Okay. It's time to go back to the main ballroom. I'm like, wait. I'm not even done yet.

Debra Coleman [00:16:58]:
Like, where is the time going? And would you know, I stayed 30 minutes after with 2 attendees in that Google session who kept who needed questions asked, and we were trying to work through some of their questions and some of their, you know, just some of their issues they were having. And I'm like, don't leave. Let's just sit and hash this out together. Because it didn't feel right to me to say, well, you know, well, good luck with that. You know? No. We're We're in this together. You're asking the question. If you don't mind being a little bit late returning back, let's just knock this out.

Debra Coleman [00:17:27]:
You know? I mean, this is your conference. I want you to get out of it. And if we just spend a few minutes just kinda getting to the root of your Google problem and and if you can walk away with some answers, that's success to me. Right? That's success to me. So at the risk of them missing, like, the the beginning of of the session that happened right after that. But, anyway, so that was really empowering. That was so empowering. I loved it.

Debra Coleman [00:17:49]:
You know, I I just and I asked everybody before we left. Did that was was it what I shared a value? Did you do you feel like you you got some answers in your Google space And they're like, yeah. I saw a lot of head nods. I mean, 9. But, you know, that was so it was just so great. Again, this was their conference, and I was there to, you know, for again, lack of a better word, serve them. Like, I was there to make sure that their conference was of value. And so to see them say, yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:18:17]:
This was this was very informative. I've learned things I didn't know before. That was some of the comments as they were leaving. I'm like, when? I'll take it. You know what I mean? That's totally great. That's that's was my goal with this Google breakout session to maybe show you some things you hadn't seen before or to answer questions, you know, to answer some of your questions you may have. And that's exactly I feel I feel what happened. So, hey, if you hear differently, let me know.

Debra Coleman [00:18:40]:
But, you know, as far as I'm concerned, it went really, really well. So much so that Google session went really well, and I felt so empowered afterwards that I am now going to look into becoming a Google certified trainer because I just I love that. I love Google Universe, and I love being able to share with others, like, things, tips, and tricks, and little, like, you know, shortcuts and how to maneuver in Google land. It was so empowering. And I could tell it was, like, really I I mean, I could tell that it was really appreciated by some of the attendees too. So, so that's what that's what I'm gonna be doing. I'm going to become Google certified and, I'm hope anyway. Cross my fingers that I'm approved once I submit everything.

Debra Coleman [00:19:22]:
But, so that has what what my takeaway is from my Google breakout session. For my big speaking my bigger speaking session in the main ballroom, during session 2. My here's my takeaway. I cannot thank thank you to Melissa is just not enough for putting me in that situation. Honestly, the growth that I experienced is like a thousand fold, and I I thank you is just not enough. Like, you can't take that away from me. That's invaluable. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the conference in that way, of being a part of the presentation team and engaging with the attendees that way.

Debra Coleman [00:20:03]:
I loved working the crowd not working the crowd. Sorry. Walking the crowd, like, walking through the tables and and and and, you know, holding the microphone so somebody could ask a question or just walking around and having somebody ask me a question, and then I answer for them or, like, punting questions to Melissa so she can answer or what like, whatever. Like, I love that side of it. At one point, Melissa and I did, like, an impromptu, like, fireside chat type where I came up on stage, and we sorta we just sat down and had a more casual vibe, and we were asking questions. And then I would ask her questions, and the and the, I would punt some questions to her. Some of the attendees were asking questions. And so that was really cool.

Debra Coleman [00:20:43]:
I love being a moderator for her in those in that way as well. So that part, I really adored. That, I love moderating. I guess that's what you wanna call it, what I did as her copilot. I was her moderator. That's it. That's the word I was looking for. Sorry.

Debra Coleman [00:21:00]:
Love it. Like that, I will do that. I even told Melissa, I'll I'll I'll moderate all day every day. Like, I am I wasn't nervous. Like, nothing. I was just like, this is it. This I love to moderate. I that put me in a moderator job any day, and I'll I'll do it.

Debra Coleman [00:21:14]:
Not nervous at all. Speaking in front of people, that's a different story. Even though I thought it was a tremendous growth opportunity, and I'm so glad I did it. And would I do it again if offered the opportunity? Absolutely. Because I learned a lot about what worked, like, what I liked, like, what I liked about it and what I didn't like about it. And what I mean by about it, like but what I did. Like, I'm just critiquing myself. Like, I saw I experienced some things that, you know, I would love to change.

Debra Coleman [00:21:44]:
And let's be fair. This was my first time speaking in front of people. So naturally, to me, there's probably more cons than pros in terms of my presentation and then my speaking and that sort of thing, like, you know, my flow and how I sounded and my speech patterns, you know, all the little, like, details that you work out as a as a presenter, I'm assuming. Right? Which is very similar to my podcast. Like, my first podcast probably sounds incredibly different than this one because I'm over 200 shows in, and I've learned a thing or 2. Right? So I'm sure the same thing with presenting live to an audience. Bay your first time you do it versus your 200th time you do it, you're gonna just be a bunch more polished. I think that's the word I'm I'm struggling just I'm struggling with.

Debra Coleman [00:22:26]:
I didn't feel I was as polished as I could have been. But maybe if I do do these in the future or keep doing these in the future, I will continually get more polished after every time I do it. Like, each one will be a lesson learned. Like, okay. This is what worked. What this is what didn't. So that being said, would I speak in front of a crowd again? Absolutely. I think it's a it's wonderful to be challenged in that way for me, especially as somebody who is an audio lover, who loves to speak to people.

Debra Coleman [00:22:54]:
I think that's in my will my wheelhouse for sure. But would I love to be a moderator or a breakout session? Would I love to be a moderator? Yes. A 1000 times. Yes. Would I love to do a breakout session again? Yes. A 1000 times, yes. Like, those two areas, I think, are, like, 1 a, and then presenting as a to a crowd, like, talking in a mic and and, like, talking for 45 minutes would be 1 b. Like, there's an order.

Debra Coleman [00:23:24]:
I just adored the breakout session. I loved that it was smaller. I loved that intimate setting, that able to talk to people just in an informal way and just kinda share tips and tricks and just and just answer questions. And then I also love moderating. I love walking around, talking to people, handing them the mic. I was even involved in the at the very end, our conference organizer did a giveaway. So I was running around trying to, like, get numbers of to draw out of a hat from attendees. It was fun.

Debra Coleman [00:23:51]:
I love that. Moderating events, absolutely loved it. Like, that I again, no nerves whatsoever. It was great. So speaking, 1 b, moderating and breakout session 1 a for sure. But so that was my takeaway. I'm so happy I did it. Again, incredibly grateful for Melissa for inviting me along on the ride.

Debra Coleman [00:24:12]:
And and and I'm so excited to have met a new friend, Babs Cole. She is a rock star. Honestly, you guys, I know I've said it before, but really amazing, amazing, amazing girl, or woman. Excuse me. And then my other my final takeaway before I wrap up the show is watching the attendees. Now here's my one here's my you know, I like to say I'm gonna put a red bow around it. Here's my red bow, friends. You will only get out of the conference what you put in.

Debra Coleman [00:24:47]:
Yes. It is the presenter. And if there's a co presenter and all the other things, a conference organizer, you know, all the people that are involved. It's it's 50% their responsibility to ensure that you have a wonderful conference experience. Right? Like, that it's a value add for you. I absolutely agree with that. But here's the other half. The left the remaining 50% is on you.

Debra Coleman [00:25:10]:
Because let me tell you where I'm coming from real quick. I saw attendees who were in it to win it. They were, like, so engaged, making eye eye contact with Melissa, myself, and Babs, talking and, like, engaging. You can see them retaking notes, raising their hand, asking questions. And there was a small group from the University of North Texas. You guys are amazing. We had a happy hour the night before the conference, and they all showed up. And and then the day of the conference, they were like, woo hoo.

Debra Coleman [00:25:40]:
They were like, conference cheerleaders. They were like, totally in it, totally happy. It would just they made it so so fun. Right? You've got to come with that spirit because otherwise, you're not gonna get a lot out of it. Now now come now to flip that, the other side of that coin, I saw attendees who were slumped slumped in their seat with their legs sticking out, not really carrying, looking bored as all get out, not engaging, opening up their laptop, on their laptop pretty much the whole time, and you know they were checking work. They weren't taking notes. They were checking work. You know they were because they would never engage.

Debra Coleman [00:26:16]:
They didn't ask questions. They didn't make eye contact. So if they were taking notes, you would see that. Like, that you'd probably see them engage more or ask Melissa to repeat something or ask a question. But they were totally sitting in the back of the room or more towards the back, totally disengaged, just not putting anything into it. And looking at this either as I was told to come to this by my manager, and that's why I'm here, Or I looked at it as a day away from the office. So or or I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I definitely got this vibe. Can't wait to get back to the work.

Debra Coleman [00:26:51]:
This is a waste of time. That really makes me sad and a little angry. Like, wait a minute. You're here to learn how to better engage with your coworkers and to, maybe increase your workplace knowledge a bit to make you more productive and efficient at work and to enable you to be stronger, to empower you. Because as an EA or an AA, Lord knows, it's a daily struggle sometimes to be recognized, to feel a part of the team, to feel value. And this conference will give you the tools to do that. And yet you are acting incredibly bored and disinterested because you can't wait to get back to the office where all of this is happening in the exact opposite. So that was a little confusing to me and, you know, sorry if that's a little sassy, but that's just how I see it.

Debra Coleman [00:27:38]:
You know? I was walking the room. I know what I'm talking about. I saw it firsthand. So you can't tell me I'm wrong because I saw it. I actually stood in front of people and watched them do this. So, no, it's real. So, yeah, you will only get out of the conference, any conference, what you put into it. And believe me, believe me, believe me, if nothing else, if you are if you if you get a chance, first of all, to get professional development funds to attend a conference, first of all, take your supervisor boss organization up on it.

Debra Coleman [00:28:11]:
Done. 2nd of all, once you're there, do yourself a favor and just just practice active listening and be in the moment. Be in the moment. Just embrace it. Trust it. Look. I've been to conferences before that were put on by people that I'm like, I walked away going, what the but I'll tell you. While I was there, though, I kept I kept in it.

Debra Coleman [00:28:36]:
I kept in it. I I was practiced active listening. I was listening. I was aware. I was because I wanted Just don't fall into that negativity trap. Just keep focused. Keep listening. There it's something that a value is bound to land.

Debra Coleman [00:28:57]:
Just keep in it. And I did, and I stayed with it. And, yes, on one hand, I walked away going, okay. Why? But then on the other hand, there was a percentage of me that was like, but to be fair, there were some really good takeaways that I can actually apply. It just for whatever reason, maybe the conference, you know, wasn't my whole cup of tea. I think a lot of that has to do with the presenters I've encountered in the past. Not necessarily the content, but in the way it was delivered. But that's my personal opinion.

Debra Coleman [00:29:25]:
You know, that was my that's my personal experience. But it doesn't mean that I couldn't walk away with some value and some takeaways and some learnings. And that doesn't mean that during the conference, I still didn't, you know, I was I was engaged. I paid attention. I asked questions. I talked to my tablemates. You know? And then after it was over, then I can do the eye rolls. Then I can do the questioning.

Debra Coleman [00:29:47]:
But while I was there, I'm in it. Like, no. We paid good money for me to attend this sucker. I'm not gonna sit here acting all bored and whatnot. No. That's not happening. I am gonna be involved because you know what? We've all been there. Maybe you're just having a day and then the day this conference falls on, maybe it's just not you know, I get it.

Debra Coleman [00:30:04]:
We're we're human. But while I was there, I, like, I found the strength to turn it around and be engaged and listen and pay attention and find some sort of enjoyment from it. If not from the presenters, then at least my tablemates. At least I walked away. I can say I met some new people. I got some connections. You know? So conferences are what you make of it. Full stop.

Debra Coleman [00:30:28]:
You will never convince me otherwise. It is what you make of it. 50% is on the conference organizers and presenters but the other 50% is on you. And trust me, if you go in with a collaborative spirit with a learning mindset, you will get so much out of it. Honestly, you will. You will. You will get something. 1 or 2 things that you can honestly look at me and say, okay, Deb.

Debra Coleman [00:30:53]:
This is what I at least got out of it. I at least learned this and this. Good. Yay. Fantastic. Good for you. Or maybe you'll be like, that was amazing. I really enjoyed myself with that conference, and I look forward to going to it again, or I look forward to going to another one.

Debra Coleman [00:31:08]:
I feel so empowered. There are so many things here that I can apply back on my job. I'm so excited. That that's that is what I want for you when it comes to conferences. Now having been an attendee and, on the presenter slash moderator side of the house, absolutely, that's my goal for you. That's what I wish for you for all things. So I've I have gone on and on enough. I will stop now because I promise this would be short.

Debra Coleman [00:31:35]:
So I'll end it here. If you have any thoughts on attending a conference, whether other whether as a attendee or as a presenter moderator. I would love to hear your thoughts. And if I'm wrong on anything, please also come on the show. Let's talk about it. But let's learn from each other. I don't believe anybody is wrong, but we do have an opportunity to learn from each other to hear different perspectives. And so I absolutely invite you on the show and let's talk about it further.

Debra Coleman [00:32:01]:
But just wanted to share with you my takeaways as a first time presenter. I can't believe I did it. And my last takeaway, and then I'll shut up in in the show. There can be growth in the uncomfortable, friend. There can be growth in the uncomfortable. Town hall, or or have have anything to do presenting to others. It doesn't have to be a 100 plus people, even if it's just 5 people. Do it.

Debra Coleman [00:32:28]:
Do it. If if that's if if if that is if it's in your purview to do, I'm not I don't want you to do anything you're not totally comfortable doing. Of course not. But if you're anything like me, where you're like, oh, I want to, but I'm nervous. I really want to, but I'm nervous. Okay. I'm gonna do it. Like, do it because you will the growth you will get out of that is just you can't put a dollar sign on that.

Debra Coleman [00:32:51]:
You really can't. I'm already back at work today. Today is my first day back at work, and I already feel empowered. Like, I already feel like I just I feel empowered already for having do that. It's almost like, look, if I can talk to a room full of strangers, of a 100 plus strangers and try to engage them for 45 minutes, I think I can speak up in a meeting at work. I mean, come on. Let's just I mean, honestly. You know? So anyway alright.

Debra Coleman [00:33:18]:
Well, thank you for listening. I will end the show here. Thank you for experiencing my first time presenting with me. I really appreciate your follow and your listen and your time today. And again, hit me up through my website, link in the show notes, and let me know about your conference experience either as an attendee or a presenter slash moderator. And, also one more thing. One more time to remind you. I will have a link to Melissa Peoples platform.

Debra Coleman [00:33:43]:
Follow it if you are in the AAA space. It's a must. I just I can't stress that enough. It's a must. Alright, friends. Until next week. Stay safe, be well, and remember, keep having those conversations.