Weekend Boost No. 169
Leading Yourself (The Events Edition)
Sitting at the North Carolina Global Health Alliance Fall Event this morning, I realized I’ve been on a bit of a conference circuit lately — maybe you have too.
Between panels, hallway conversations, big ideas, and not enough coffee, it’s easy to walk away from these gatherings feeling saturated rather than energized. But conferences, summits, and events can be powerful catalysts when we engage them with intention.
Below are a few reminders — and resources — to help you get the best out of the moments when you step out of your day-to-day and into a room full of possibility.
How to Make the Most of Any Conference, HBR: A practical, distilled guide for planning your conference experience, connecting with intention, and following up in ways that turn moments into momentum.
An Introvert’s Advice for Networking, TED Ideas: Self-described introvert and veteran tech executive Karen Wickre shares her secret to cultivating professional connections with a minimum of anxiety and awkwardness.
Turning Insight Into Action: How to Integrate Learning After a Conference, Forbes Coaches Council: A thoughtful look at how to translate inspiration into practice: choosing three takeaways, deepening one new relationship, and scheduling intentional integration time.
THE PRACTICE
As you enter your next gathering, try this:
Set one intention for how you want to show up — not just what you hope to get.
Let curiosity lead the way.
Leave space afterward to reflect, integrate, and follow up with one person who felt meaningful.
Conferences aren’t just events — they’re waypoints. Places where we pause, imagine, connect, and return to our lives a little more expanded.
