A Lesson to Be Learned

Each month at IHM, we feature different themes. The theme for April is "Back to School," emphasizing learning and growth. As part of this theme, we organized a knowledge-sharing session on Public Speaking, where I was tasked with finding a speaker to share public speaking tools with our staff. I express myself best through writing and have never really been comfortable with public speaking. This session would therefore be beneficial for me too.

In recent months, I embarked on a journey to rediscover old passions and explore new ones, which some might perhaps interpret as an existential crisis of sorts. Those familiar with me, know my strong belief in networking and the significance of every person crossing our path for a purpose, never being a mere coincidence. I'm also part of a WhatsApp group where our usual morning greeting, "good morning my connections," initially started out as a joke, until we discovered that the power of our seemingly small network was no joke at all.

With this Genesis, follows a short story of how exactly a week ago, one of the best public speakers ended up in our IHM boardroom speaking to IHM staff. It is also a story of how the process of finding that speaker would present valuable lessons for me as an individual.

Before I decided that Patience Chisanga-Mayer was ideal for our Public Speaking session, I was willing to settle for any active Toastmasters club member. I was invited for a Toastmasters club meeting which happened to be on a Tuesday evening at 6pm. ?I could have turned down that invite for a number of lame reasons. Something however, prompted me to accept it. It was during this meeting that I heard Patience speak, and I instantly knew she was the perfect fit. Had I not attended that meeting I may not have known what I had missed, but I may also have missed a huge opportunity. Lesson number 1: Think twice before turning down any opportunity to network.

As mentioned already, prior to this meeting, I was considering any active Toastmasters member available for short-notice speaking. Hearing Patience changed my perspective. I didn’t just want the good, I wanted the great. Lesson number 2: Don't shy away from ambitious goals.

Remember that 'existential crisis' I mentioned earlier? My interactions with Patience, before, during, and after that session would trigger so much in me. Lesson number 3: Sometimes all it takes is one stranger to ignite a positive internal wildfire.

Before persuading Patience to speak to our staff, I also had to get past a significant hurdle. ?I didn't know her, yet I needed her to agree to create time in her already packed schedule before traveling back to Germany, to speak to my IHM family in the next few hours. The person who had invited me for the meeting where I heard her speak, would not advocate on my behalf. This connection had already opened the door for me. It was now my job to step in. The picture shared should reflect the outcome. Lesson number 4: Never underestimate your ability to persuade influential individuals.

This entire interaction reminded me of something I have often overlooked; I am very passionate about creating connections.? But beyond just that, I am actually good at it. Lesson number 5: There is always something you can be good at. Discover it and perfect it.

The last lesson is often overlooked but very crucial. Lesson number 6: don't discard networks just because they've proven useful. Cultivate genuine relationships while respecting professional boundaries. Some connections have become like family, while others have supported me as job references. Remember, networking isn't just about taking; be valuable to your connections as well. One connection led me to Patience, and I aspire to return that favor one day, and be a plug to the plug.

In the world of precious minerals, I believe landed myself a diamond in the public speaking space. Patience Chisanga could have been in many other important spaces, but she agreed to share some of her valuable time with my organization, delivering an incredibly impactful public speaking session that earned her a standing ovation, more than once.

Thank you, Patience, not only for triggering a number of those invaluable lessons but also for presenting like you had been preparing to speak to IHM staff your whole life. I do not speak for myself when I say your Body Mind and Soul of Public Speaking session triggered many positive personal wildfires.