Determining the right time to speak, listen, learn, and unlearn
With non-essential travel still inadvisable during COVID, many conferences have gone virtual, but as I discovered, that doesn’t mean they lack powerful insights that can resonate long after.
In early December, I attended virtual sessions of the Massachusetts Conference for Women, a one-day event designed to be motivating and inspiring, with a particular focus on topics such as leadership, career development, and social equity. Although there was a breadth of options for learning tracks, I chose to attend breakouts that would help me continue the necessary learning and unlearning laid out by the events of the past year. Here are the highlights from the sessions I attended:
- Leadership reimagined. I went into this session thinking it would only consist of traditional professional tips and tricks, like how to be more organized or stay focused in unusual times. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the session leader, motivational speaker Lisa Nichols, encouraged us to use a broader lens when it comes to leadership. Emphasis was placed on reframing the temptation of seeing 2020 as a year filled with nothing but obstacles and roadblocks, and to “cape up,” in Lisa’s words, taking agency over your professional and personal life, regardless of the circumstances. Lisa explained that, over the last year, it has been easy to feel like things are happening to you rather than because of you, so having a more empowered perspective is valuable. One standout takeaway Lisa offered was, “Don’t just be in the goal-setting business, go further and be in the mind-blowing business.” Lisa also wanted to make it clear that, understandably, all of this is easier said than done. It is natural, especially in a year filled with as many trials as 2020, to occasionally focus on the negative. That is why she stressed the importance of establishing a daily practice (much like a yoga or a fitness routine) of rituals or habits, self-care, and reflection that will help train you to lead with positivity and stay solution-oriented even in difficult circumstances. You can find more from Lisa at https://motivatingthemasses.com/.
- Social Justice and continuing education. I also attended a session led by activist, academic, and prominent voice on race and feminism, Rachel Cargle, and another led by author and economic justice advocate, Stephanie Land. I can’t adequately highlight the lessons and information conveyed in these phenomenal sessions in a blog post, and I also believe these women’s expertise and insights are best shared through their own voices, so I encourage everyone to seek out the resources. Rachel Cargle and her various organizations and learning tools may be found on Instagram: @rachel.cargle. Stephanie Land’s memoir is Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive.
The Massachusetts Conference for Women helped me contextualize the lessons of 2020 and create a mindset and perspective that will fortify me to face the challenges of and meet my goals for 2021 and beyond. Thank you for the opportunity, UG2!