
Public speaking wasn’t always my thing. In fact, I’ve had stage fright since I was young, and the thought of standing in the spotlight still gives me the jitters. But over time, I realized that the Agile community is a space built on values like courage, openness, and adaptability—values that have not only shaped my professional growth but also helped me step outside my comfort zone. The community’s practice-driven and feedback-rich environment became the perfect platform for me to take risks and grow as a speaker. Looking back, the path to becoming a keynote speaker was anything but smooth.
It all began with a promise I made to my team as a Scrum Master. One of my favorite aspects of being a Scrum Master is challenging my teams to take a step into the “uncomfortable zone,” to push boundaries and grow. So, when my team members heard me express my fear of public speaking, they decided to hold me accountable—and I promised them I would speak at a conference. Little did I know, this promise would be the start of something unexpected.
The First Talk: Taking a Leap
My very first speaking experience was an unforgettable one—my first talk was actually as a keynote speaker with a friend at Proximus in Belgium! The topic was neurodiversity, and since I’m neurodivergent myself, it felt like the perfect opportunity to raise awareness. What made this session special was that it wasn’t over-rehearsed or stiff. Instead, it flowed naturally and allowed for audience interaction.
The talk was well-received, and my co-speaker and I had a great time engaging with the crowd. But, as the saying goes, no good story is complete without a little mishap. As I walked off stage, I realized with embarrassment that my zipper had been undone the entire time! We had to Photoshop the photos for social media, which remains a funny, and somewhat embarrassing, memory. I still don’t know how it happened, but it became a funny memory I won’t soon forget.

Sarah’s first talk as a keynote speaker with her friend Anita
Learning and Growing: Feedback is Gold
After that first session, I was hungry for more feedback. A few months later, I gave another talk—this time online—with Rijkswaterstaat. The topic was light-hearted: How bananas play a role in creating high-performing teams. A bit quirky, but I loved how the concept of bananas could metaphorically explain team dynamics.
I had my mentor in the audience, ready to give me feedback. With no prior speaking experience, I knew I had room to improve. To my delight, the talk was well-received, and I received some constructive criticism that helped me grow. The feedback gave me the confidence to keep going.
Having a mentor, or multiple mentors, has been key in my growth. Their invaluable guidance, honest feedback, and support have significantly accelerated my development. A mentor helps you gain fresh perspectives, navigate complex situations, and avoid common pitfalls with confidence. Their experience fast-tracks your progress, enabling you to make more informed decisions and avoid unnecessary mistakes. For me, my mentor’s insights have been essential in refining my speaking skills, boosting my confidence, and helping me embrace feedback. I became more comfortable taking risks and improving with each experience. Ultimately, I think a good mentor acts as both a coach and a sounding board, empowering you to reach your goals faster and more effectively. At least, that’s what mine does.
Taking the Leap: From Local Speaker to Keynote
By now, I had built up enough courage to try submitting my topic to a larger stage. So, I sent my banana talk to the Scrum Facilitators Original Conference—and they selected me to speak. But there was a twist: they wanted me to present it as a keynote speaker!
I was completely flabbergasted. In fact, I’m pretty sure I asked the person on the phone if they had the right speaker or if they were drunk. How could I be considered for such an important role?
But there I was, getting ready to speak to a larger audience than I ever imagined. And let me tell you, the panic attack I had leading up to that stage moment was real. From traffic that wasn’t cooperating, to technical glitches to last-minute issues, it felt like everything that could go wrong, did. Luckily, I wasn’t the only keynote speaker that day. I was able to switch spots with another speaker, take a breather, and regain my composure.
Once I was calm, the talk flowed, and the audience was amazing. I received wonderful feedback, and people even applauded me for having the courage to stand up there despite everything that went wrong. And that, to me, is one of the things that Scrum is all about: courage. One of the Scrum values that we so often speak about—taking that leap of faith even when we don’t have all the answers, or steady knees. It was a powerful reminder that stepping into the unknown, even when we don’t feel fully prepared, is what allows us to grow.
The Final Talks of the Year: New Topics, New Horizons
By the time I reached my fourth and fifth talks of the year, I felt a bit more comfortable with public speaking. My mentor and I presented at two major events: the 2024 Obeya Summit and Scrum Day Europe 2024. The topic was a mix of Obeya, AI, Data Analytics, and Servant Leadership—and how combining these elements could revolutionize how we work. We also led a small workshop on using the new Obeya Starter Kit for the 6-Panels method, developed to simplify the implementation of the Six Panels approach.
At the Obeya Summit, the workshop was a hit, and I left feeling grateful for the support and learning opportunities that helped me refine my speaking. Every session and workshop was a stepping stone, not just to becoming a better speaker but to expanding my understanding of Agile concepts.

Sarah and her mentor Laurens at the Obeya Summit
Looking Back and Moving Forward
So, what have I learned from this journey? It wasn’t about having a perfect performance on stage—it was about courage, vulnerability, and the willingness to take risks and make mistakes in front of an audience. The Agile community is incredibly supportive, and I’ve found that the more I lean into discomfort, the more I grow as both a speaker and a professional.
For anyone out there who’s hesitating to host a session at a conference or share your thoughts in front of others, my advice is simple: Do it. The Agile community is filled with kind, supportive people who genuinely want to hear your voice. And if you stumble along the way? Don’t worry; we all do. You don’t have to be perfect . It’s about embracing the process and continuously improving.
If you’re looking for your next step, submit a talk proposal or even start small by joining a local meetup. With each step, you’ll build your confidence and your speaking skills.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue sharing my experiences and insights with the Agile community. Who knows? Maybe my next session will be in a new country, or maybe I’ll explore a completely different topic. But one thing is for sure—I’m here to stay, and ready for the next chapter!
And if you are ready to take the leap as well, I’d love to connect with you. Let’s grow
together, and maybe—just maybe—I’ll see you on stage!
Want to connect?
Feel free to reach out to me if you’re curious about any of the topics I’ve mentioned or be bold and join me on stage—share your story or take the first step to submit your talk proposal today!
With a courageous wave I acknowledge thee,
Sarah Siebel-Janssen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsarinajanssen