Professional Speakers Australia Annual Convention of course!

 

If you are an expert in any field you would strategically align yourself with the industry peak body representing your area of expertise, right? Same for professional speakers.

Entrepreneurs with a message – those communicators and subject matter expert‘s who inform, inspire and influence through keynote and breakout presentations, deliver MC and facilitation, inhouse training and/or public seminars gathered together at #PSAConvention19, Kingscliff New South Wales, Australia during March 2019.

 

The Power of a Like-Minded Clique

“Clique” (French def. “People Coming Together Around a Common Purpose”)

Transitioning from a senior executive role in a national not-for-profit organisation in 2009 I knew the inherent wisdom of participating and contributing to the industry I sought to be apart off. In June 2009 I discovered Professional Speakers Australia.

In that same winter of 2009 I drove more than an hour and navigating city traffic, paid the crazy car parking fees and positioned myself amongst the people who were already doing what I aspired to do, and listened to then National President, Brad Tonini CSP.

Have you ever listened to someone, watched the way they engage with others or heard a message that resonated with you and thought, “I can see myself doing that?” and possibly quickly followed by “I’m not sure how I can do that?” Oh I’d been to conferences on and off for years, but was it possible to, to really do “this”?

I was beginning to see the possibilities.

And then, I set about doing it. At first, thinking I was a “Speaker”, until expanding my language and realising I was becoming an entrepreneur with a Message.

The journey between 2009 – 2019 was not without its stretching and head shaking, letting go of limiting beliefs, reframing my thinking and courageously leading our company to confidently stand on more than 46,000 hours in leadership, development, research and application to be a voice for good in the leadership landscape.

 

Community Minded & Commercially Savvy.

Running our Thought Leader Consulting Practice, our methodologies have grown to include Leadership Keynote Speaking & Training Days, Executive Advisory Services including 3,6,12 month Coaching Programs and Contractual Engagements focusing on Workplace Change, Culture and Capability.

I wasn’t new to the volunteer space, I’d been volunteering since 1997 in community groups, at one point in the past 10 years I was on the Board of 3 companies.

 

 

Here I am now, 10 years on, joining our #PSACONVENTION19 Convenor Amanda Stevens CSP, on my last day as National President, Chair of the Board and Chair of #PSAConvention19, March 24th 2019. Witnessing professional speakers I admire come together in our industry peak body and playing a part in that has been incredibly exciting.

I’ve been thrilled to work with our PSA Board, our professional conference organisers WISE Connections from Melbourne, Amanda and our extraordinary members and strategic partners and sponsors, like Media Stable, Zoom Video Conferencing, BizVersity, eSpeakers, Coaching Life Magazine, POD Legal, Qantas, United Airlines, Shutterstock, Institute of Learning Practitioners.

Professional Speakers Australia as an industry association, operates with a mission to pursue excellence in the speaking profession, underpinned by Core 8 Competencies and our Guiding Principles. If you want confidence that you’re working with cutting edge professionals with strong ethics, then engage a Professional Member or Certified Speaking Professional (CSP).

 

 

There is No Growth in Isolation | Who’s Challenging You?

I know where I flourish and I flourish where I can make a difference and delight in the company of values-based leaders. There is no growth in isolation.

Our 4 day Professional Speakers Australia Annual Convention focused on “You Are the Message!” Amanda prepared VIM, “Very Important Message” notepads for delegates to write to one another and I handwrote note cards to every individual delegate.

The way people navigate change and gain a sense of belonging is often the culmination of the little things. It’s sharing the love and leading from the front, side and rear.

You have more capacity and untapped potential then you realise. We all have the same amount of hours in the day. Everyone has something going on in their lives that is a reason, but not an excuse, when it comes to sitting on the sideline vs. offering to be of assistance.

This week I received an email from Brad Tonini CSP, the same leaders I heard speak at my first event back in 2009. Brad congratulated me on my year of service as National President and for making a significant contribution to our industry Association. When leaders demonstrate service as a joy and get stuff done, it’s compelling. It’s contagious in the right way.

And my progression in service is the result of lots of colleagues sewing into my life over the past decade.

 

 

Come join me and celebrate the recent #PSAConvention19 Highlights Video! You might spot some familiar faces!

 

Compilation of Tagged Images for #PSAConvention19

Unique Service Opportunity Reveals Key Learnings

Here are a few of my lessons from a decade of serving in our industry peak body whilst running our Practice:

• Honour those in leadership who are already serving By being attentive, offering assistance, walking humbly and living boldly
• Place value on the skills that you can contribute and when opportunity presents itself view it through the lense of your own core business. Ask yourself: does it complement or detract from your cause, calling or commercial direction?
• When taking on volunteer opportunities recognise it will cost you in time, energy, finance and emotion.
• The rewards you will receive may include informal mentoring from those who are further along, privileged access to otherwise close door meetings, skills refinement and development, kudos, collaborations and new connections

 

Stop Comparing Yourself & Your Leaders to Others!

Leadership is both a privilege and a burden. It’s also not a popularity contest. Occasionally because of the particular styles, personalities and skills the members may unconsciously fall into the trap of comparing successive leaders.

I caution against that. Instead, as we engage with leaders past, present and future, consider the changing context each person leads an organisation through.

 

What Else You Got Tarran? So Glad You Asked! 

• Combine grace and grit: Strategic and operational leadership will always have elements of friction. It’s said ‘iron sharpens iron’ and so it does. Workplace relationships are not without conflict and consultation does not abdicate decision-making
• Honour Your Family & Friends: Remember that even in the midst of your service there are those that you are entrusted to do life with outside the organisation. Honour your family and friends with your time, attention and self-care. They’ll be the ones waiting for you when you come back home, to the routine of life and a new look season of leadership in your own workplace
• Succession Plan and Prepare for Transitions. Dr Adam Fraser CSP in his work “the third space” talks about peak vs flow and “getting good at transitions”.

 

I’ve been preparing in advance before I took on the National President role in March 2018 for the handover at #PSAConvention19 to my colleague and now friend, Russell Pearson. In the afterglow of a very big year and what we achieved at Professional Speakers Australia, which you can read about HERE, I believe I am the first Immediate Past National President to design my own 90 Day Exit Transition Plan with two-fold benefits:

1. Volunteer Organisation Has Access to Me to Complete Final Projects and Be Actively Involved with the Board

1. I’m Still Connected to the Relationships without Having Significant Withdrawal Symptons 😉

 

And finally give yourself permission to:

✔️Receive compliments graciously

✔️Celebrate achievements

✔️Realise you’re allowed to come down off the highs

✔️Set your sights on some exciting new things

✔️And leverage your learnings

 

 

 

No matter the season you are in, you too will have your exits and your entrances.

Own your stage.

Recognise your role in the cast / team / business and rise to the occasion.

 

It’s not a case of whether you will be on a stage; it’s a question of whether you’ll make each stage count, don’t you think? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.