May 2024 Newsletter - 3 Key Takeaways from My Keynote Speech

“What I have to say matters.”?

I can remember receiving this message from the universe in 2022 when I attended the Global Leadership Summit at my church in South Barrington, Illinois.? Back then I was a burly beard among a sea of faces, with nothing more than a notebook and a curious mind. ?Seated high in the upper balcony, I was seemingly miles away from the main stage - which was a big one. ?And even bigger were the icons that commanded the stage at this event over the years, including Bob Iger, Condoleezza Rice, Jack Welch, and Tony Dungy, to name a few.?

Little did I know at the time that in less than two years, it would be my turn to take the stage. ?While it was not at the Global Leadership Summit, it was at a prominent professional conference.? I can recall the day that I received an email from my old classmate who had picked up my book and asked me to speak about it at the American Public Works Association Wisconsin Spring Conference this year.? When he stated that I would be the “keynote speaker” I could feel my stomach drop. Gulp. ?I was informed that there would be 300-400 attendees there and I would be speaking for 50 minutes. ?Once I was able to pick up my stomach, I agreed to it.? Deep within me, I just knew that I had to do it.? And how I would do it??

Well, I would need to figure that part out.??

And figure it out I did.? I poured countless hours into the preparation of PowerPoint slides, ongoing revisions, and numerous rehearsals during the weeks leading up to the presentation.? And over that period, I had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions - navigating the highs of feeling aligned with my material and the lows of doubting that anyone would want to hear “this stuff” at a technical conference.? But it was the message “what I have to say matters” that kept me focused, as well as my personal belief that someone in the audience needed to hear it.

And on May 2, 2024, I officially became a speaker.? I spoke for 50 minutes about “The YOU Project” just as I had rehearsed. ?I covered the six human needs, the personal challenges we experience at work, the difficult manager types, and the vastly different seasons of work.?? While I learned some traits about myself through this experience, I also came away with some key takeaways which I feel compelled to share in this newsletter.?? Here are three of them:

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#1 – Control What You Can Control.

As much as I had prepared for my presentation, there were many things that had happened beforehand for which I could not have possibly planned.? For example, the keynote speech was scheduled for 8 am during the week which required me to get to venue the day before (Madison is about 150 miles from home).? My plan was to arrive in the afternoon to meet with the event staff to review the room set-up and check the audio/visual equipment.? However, when I got there, the room was not set up, and I was told that I would need to come back in the morning when it would be ready.? ?Needless to say, I could not fall asleep that night. ?I lay down staring wide eyed at the alarm clock for eight hours and sprang out of bed well before my two alarms and 5 am wake-call hit my ear.? ?

When I arrived at the venue at 6:30 am, they were not exactly waiting for me either.? I had to ask for someone to show me the set-up and there was no laptop ordered for the room, which was supposed to be the case.? Thankfully, I had planned ahead and brought my own laptop, and by getting there early I was able to get myself comfortable enough with the A/V before most people had arrived.?

As I reflect back on the day of the presentation, there were so many factors outside of my control.? I had tried to prepare for all scenarios and had back-ups of everything including a paper copy of my speech in the event things really went sideways, but I learned there is no way to control everything. ?So, instead what was I able to control? I was able to control my own level of preparation.? I was able to control how I chose to show up to the event.? I was able to control my thoughts, my emotions, and my reactions to unplanned circumstances.? And it was this level of self-control that helped me navigate the unpredictable.?? So, what about you?? What are the parts of your life that you need to take control of to better prepare you when you get hit with an unexpected curve ball?

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#2 – Curiosity Builds Connection

As I was preparing my speech, it was important to know something about my audience.? Sure, I knew I would be speaking to municipal engineers and public works officials but that was hardly scratching the surface.?? To really connect with them, I needed to know more.? And so, I did what I could to study them.? I polled them ahead of time to understand key information such as their specific personal challenges, their career goals, their most difficult work relationships, and how they cope with excessive work. ?I gathered all the data that I could to ensure that I would be speaking to them in a way that was personal and direct. In addition to the poll, I made a point of talking with my audience the night before at the reception and the breakfast beforehand.? I got myself really curious about them and asked questions that would uncover more about them than just their job titles and companies.?

Then throughout the speech, I engaged with my audience by asking them questions that required them to shout answers and raise their hands.? I connected with them through an icebreaker around my favorite beer from Wisconsin and even shared a personal story with them.?? I was intentional with my terminology and used words like “we” instead of “you” to assure them that I was no different than them and share in these human challenges.? By doing this, it made the oversized room so much smaller as I was able to connect with people individually.? As you think about your own life, who is in your personal audience??? Who do you need to ask questions of, get curious about, and connect with in a meaningful way?? Identify those key people in your own circle and make a point of reconnecting with them today.?

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#3 – Our Message Matters

As I stood up on that stage, I had a clear message that I needed to deliver.? My message was based on my book and one that I believe in deeply.? I believe that our biggest project at work and life is us and if we can learn to master ourselves, everything else will be more manageable.? I believe that the difficult seasons of life are really gifts because they force us to work on ourselves.? And it is in the struggle that real growth can happen.

I learned that my level of effectiveness at giving my message was directly related to my own level of belief in it.? In my case, I believed in it so much that I had written a book about it.?? When it comes to you, what is your personal message?? What is it that you believe in so deeply that it would be a disservice if someone did not receive it??? And how do you know it is authentic?? Well, if it stirs your soul when you say it and you feel emotionally “filled up” inside, see those are affirming signs.? And if you ever doubt that it needs to be said, always remember…

“What you have to say matters.”

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Author: Ryan Walter, ACC, PE

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Follow me @ Rethinkwildly.com

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If you are seeking advice in your career or need assistance with a personal challenge at work or home, I would love to help you.? Please reach out to me to schedule a free consultation.? You can also schedule a session in my booking calendar for a time that works for you. Free Consultation Call - ReThink Wildly

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I am a certified professional life coach and professional engineer and help engineers and other professionals navigate the human challenges of work.? My mission is to help people get unstuck in their personal and professional lives.? Some of the areas that I coach professionals on include imposter syndrome, work unfulfillment, life purpose, work-life balance, personal boundaries, assertiveness, and relational conflict in the workplace.? Top of Form