My Rollercoaster Ride as an Agile Conference Speaker

    Practice-Reflect-Adapt: The Preparation

    Preparing for my talk at the conference was like riding a rollercoaster of practice, reflection, and adaptation. Initially, my presentation felt like a jigsaw puzzle missing a key piece—a clear, cohesive message. After several iterations and feedback from my team, I realized that what seemed crystal clear in my mind wasn’t as clear to my audience. This insight was a game-changer and led to significant improvements in my presentation.

    The Main Message: Embrace Growth Through Failure

    The heart of my message was that everyone has the potential for growth. Embracing failure as a positive experience and learning from it can propel you forward in your life and career. This mindset is the secret sauce for continuous improvement and success.

    Audience Engagement: A Dynamic Experience

    I was lucky to present at one of the most engaging conferences I’ve ever attended. Their audience was fantastic—active, enthusiastic, and even a bit competitive during one of the exercises. Their energy and participation created a vibrant atmosphere that made the session truly unforgettable.

    Being a speaker for the first time is like stepping onto a stage for the first time—nerve-wracking yet exhilarating. Then, I was nervous and not entirely satisfied with the outcome, but the audience’s engagement and feedback were incredibly rewarding. Their positive responses and constructive criticism provided valuable insights for future presentations.

    Advice for Future Speakers: The Most Impactful Message

    For those stepping into the spotlight as a speaker, here are a few tips that can make a world of difference:

    • Embrace Feedback: Don’t shy away from seeking feedback from your peers and audience: it can provide valuable insights and help you improve.
    • Engage Your Audience: Use activating exercises or questions to keep your audience engaged. Remember, people learn in different ways… So support your words with images and interactive elements!
    • Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adapt your presentation based on the audience’s reactions and feedback. And flexibility is the key to delivering a successful session.
    • Practice Makes Perfect: Rehearse your presentation multiple times. Because the more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.

    Extra tips for first timers

    • Ensuring Inclusivity and Diversity: Inclusivity and diversity are the cornerstones of Agile talks. I make sure to include activating exercises or questions to engage everyone. And supporting words with images while being mindful of different learning styles helps ensure that all participants are included & can benefit from the session.
    • Managing Logistics: The Joy of In-Person Events: I’m a huge fan of in-person events: they offer a better ambiance and greater opportunities for networking. But planning is essential, whether it’s arranging transportation or ensuring you have the necessary materials. Fortunately, most in-person events provide the basics like drinks, snacks, post-its, and markers, making logistics a bit easier.
    • Fostering Community: The Agile Spirit: Agile practitioners are known for their community spirit. Also at events, this sense of community often happens naturally… As long as you’re open to talking to new people! It’s one of the many joys of attending Agile events.
    • Marketing and Promotion: The Power of Social Media: Social media, especially LinkedIn, is a powerful tool for promoting Agile events. For example, tagging the event, sponsors, and session speakers can help ensure a wide reach. And a catchy phrase, a nice quote, and an engaging image can make your post stand out and attract more attention.
    • Balancing Work and Events: Flexibility is Key: Balancing work and participating in Agile events can be challenging, but I’m fortunate to have the flexibility to manage my time. Attending conferences and training sessions is a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge and experience, which ultimately benefits my work.

    Final Thought: Embrace the Challenge

    Remember, if you don’t try, you will fail anyway. The sense of regret is far greater than the feeling of failure. So, take the leap, embrace the challenge, and learn from every experience.

    By Hanne Verbeeck
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanne-verbeeck-b61796a7/

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