Reflections from the Women in Business Conference: Insights and Inspiration

Yesterday, I joined over 900 incredible women at the Women in Business Conference, and let me tell you, the energy in the room was electric! Connections were being made in real-time, and the excitement was contagious.

Having keynoted this event in the past, I was delighted to attend as a participant this year. I soaked up the wealth of knowledge shared by the speakers and fellow attendees. It was refreshing to see conversations shift from the typical 'Hi, how are you?' to genuine discussions about our careers and challenges. I connected with remarkable women who openly shared their struggles, sparking an engaging Q&A that felt like having mini-coaching sessions throughout the day, where we explored ways to support one another.

Key Insights from the Day

The speakers delivered valuable insights that will resonate long after the event. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Michelle Holt: Speaking POWER Michelle shared the acronym POWER, emphasizing that vulnerability fosters connection:

• Proud: We all need to hear, "I'm so proud of you."
• Openness: Invite someone into a circle or opportunity.
• Welcome: Make others feel included.
• Encourage: Identify those who need a boost.
• Recognize: Everyone wants to feel valued.

2. Mastering Connection, Communication, and Commitment This insightful panel featured Shannon Spencer, Teresa Owen, and Audra Thurman, who stressed the importance of building genuine networks:

• Shannon highlighted the difference between "going networking" and "building a network." She encouraged us to write one of three "C's" on the back of our business cards: Connection, Cultivate Relationships, or Collaborate for mutual success. She urged us to ask meaningful questions and follow up within 24-48 hours.
• Teresa challenged us to rethink our customer approach by incorporating "Yes, and…" into our conversations, transforming potential rejection into creative collaboration. This simple shift fosters a positive dialogue and encourages innovation.
• Audra emphasized that genuine commitment comes from intention, connection, and communication. She urged us to prioritize our own needs first, focusing on what aligns with our vision and values. By encouraging us to dig deep and understand our core identities, she helped us recognize the unique value we each possess. She prompted us to reflect on questions like: What do you enjoy, and what frustrates you? What brings you joy? Who in your life fuels your passion? And what are your strengths and weaknesses?

3. Jessica Butts: Embrace Your Strengths Jessica delivered a powerful keynote message about the importance of recognizing and leveraging our strengths. She advised against engaging in dreaded tasks, equating that to pushing a boulder uphill. Instead, she encouraged us to focus on our strengths and live authentically by understanding our innate personality styles.

• She shared insights into different personality dimensions—Extroversion vs. Introversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. By knowing ourselves better, we can align our activities with our strengths and passions.
• Jessica emphasized that "doing things you suck at is a choice. You have the agency to make a new choice!" By making deliberate choices to focus on our strengths, we can show up as our best selves, feeling energized rather than overwhelmed.

4. Diana Williams: The Joy of Connecting Diana's session was a treasure trove of wisdom, introducing the 7 Pillars of Connection:

1. Connecting with Yourself: Prioritize self-awareness through journaling and mindfulness practices. Understanding yourself is the first step toward meaningful connections.
2. Connecting with Others: Build genuine relationships through active listening and empathy, creating a network of support and collaboration.
3. Connection to Your Purpose: Regularly revisit your life's purpose to stay motivated and aligned with your goals. The purpose of life is to find your mission and fulfill it. ~ Mother Theresa
4. Connecting with Your Body: Listen to your body's signals. Self-care is essential for maintaining energy and well-being. Breathe and listen.
5. Connecting to Your Surroundings: Be aware that your space creates connections or it doesn't. Focus on making your space feel safe, comfortable, and confident.
6. Connecting to the Planet: Get outside. Breathe fresh air. Observe in awe - listen to the birds, see the beauty in nature. Get grounded.
7. Connecting to a Power Greater Than Yourself: Seek a connection to something bigger. This is about peace. We live in a good and infinite universe. This is about humility, openness, and abundance.

Diana encouraged us to assess these pillars in our lives, providing actionable goals to strengthen our connections. She also mentioned that she's launching a book on this topic, giving us the chance to be on the waitlist for more insights.

5. Athena Award Panel: Living Authentically Dr. Rachel Findino, Shirley Simmons, and Avonte Jackson inspired us to embrace authenticity and courage:

• Shirley stressed the importance of self-awareness in our interactions. She challenged us to be mindful of our body language and the messages we convey, encouraging us to ask our staff and co-workers, "What shuts you down?" She highlighted the significance of creating safe spaces for dialogue, acknowledging that we all carry baggage from past experiences. Practicing empathy and being vulnerable, transparent, and consistent can transform our relationships, making us better leaders and colleagues.
• Rachel reinforced the idea of surrounding ourselves with a diverse team. She stated, "You need three people on your team: someone who is smarter than you, someone that works harder than you, and a damn good attorney." This powerful statement reminds us to lean on those who challenge us to grow and uphold our values, especially in challenging times. Rachel also inspired us to remain steadfast in our moral compass and courageously pursue our dreams.
• Avante pushed us to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the growth that comes with it. She encouraged us to analyze what holds us back and take actionable steps to overcome those barriers. Avante's call to jot down what we learned and who we connected with sparked an exciting buzz throughout the room as women shared their insights and contact information. She closed with a reminder: whenever you feel nervous or uncertain, act as if you've been there before—it's a powerful mindset shift that can lead to growth.

To say that the day was valuable is an understatement! I walked away not just with notes but also with the inspiration to take actionable steps in my career and life.

Thank you to the Tri-Cities Regional Chamber for hosting such an empowering event. I can't wait for next year!