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What does it feel like, as a speaker, to be pushed beyond your comfort zone and arrive at your dream destination? I have been confident delivering presentations to healthcare professionals for many years now. Increasingly I have been invited to speak to a wider, generic audience, e.g. a multi-national bank in London. Last week I was part of the Annual Global Executive Assistant (EA) and Personal Assistant (PA) Summit held in Vienna. For me, this was an exciting new step and I’d like to share my experience with you so that you may be encouraged to keep on with your own journey of success.

The delegates gathered from a range of countries including Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and many more. My topic was on the theme that self-care is vital. I always like to meet fellow speakers if possible, at the start of an event, so I arranged to dine the evening before with three of them. I believe in life-long learning so on the flight to Vienna I took a new book to read – ‘How to speak so people really listen’ by my friend Paul McGee.  It inspired me to ensure that my talk would meet the needs of my audience.  It is a very useful book and I recommend it to anyone who has occasions to speak, to even a small group of people.

I made sure at every opportunity, I asked questions of the ladies about their roles and any challenges they face in them. The event was at the Rainers hotel. Almost immediately I was impressed by how good the ladies were at speaking English and how ashamed as a Brit I am of hardly knowing  any words in their native tongue!

The next morning the summit began. The Halcyon Group, who are based in Prague, were the hosts and organisers.  It was very good that I already had three ladies who I had already met the previous evening, as we immediately felt we had some rapport.

The first session was delivered by Annie Page  from Essentii who gave us all tips of better communication. This was information I confess I am already very familiar with as it had parallels with the workshops I have been involved with at Mike Coote Coaching,  for whom I am PA. It was a great opportunity to move around the room at times and get to know more of the ladies there.

After lunch, we heard from the chair, Bethany Fovargue, EA to the Commercial Director at Data Interchange.  She shared some useful tips on stress management. She told us that she had been a primary school teacher initially. She now has an impressive array of accolades and innovative ideas. Another delegate later told me that she had also left teaching to be a PA! Perhaps it is our organisational skills that can be transferred?

Next was Julia-Isabella Graf, PA to CEO at Wirtschaftsforum der Führungskräfte . It was interesting listening to her describe innovative EA skills. Julia also runs her own beauty blog and had incredible eye make-up!

We heard from the only male presenter then, Helio Vogas, who gave tips of how to apply learning from events and conferences. He proved to be controversial with one of his comments that we only need  4 – 6 hours’ sleep a night – any longer is a belief invented by mattress companies!

Katrin Bauer,  PA from plista, gave a very colourful presentation on some ideas why many smart PAs are being kept from climbing the ladder to EAs. I joined a panel discussion to complete the day.

During the evening, we enjoyed good food and excellent company at the hotel. Again, I used the networking opportunity to establish what the ladies needed and checked a few English words with them. I wanted to ensure that my language usage was understood. I learned that not all of them may be familiar with the term midwife, so I knew when I did my presentation to add ‘a nurse who delivers babies’, to give it clarity.

I retired to bed early and adjusted a couple of ideas in the light of the conversations. Next morning I woke excited and a little apprehensive. I recognise the ‘butterflies in the stomach’ as adrenalin and choose to use that feeling to inspire me to do the best I am able. At breakfast, I met another speaker, Dalya Perry-Bernstein, EA to Director at Select Concierge Ltd.  I was aware that she is still on maternity leave following the birth of her first baby less than 3 months ago! I welcomed the opportunity to chat with her over breakfast, as I understand my story on perinatal mental illness is emotive.

Dalya was the first presenter that morning. A very impressive young lady who spoke about the 5 Golden Rules of being a Platinum PA. As part of her interesting and inspiring talk she showed us some film clips of her dynamic boss, Sufyan G Ismail, talking about what he values and needs from a PA.  An excellent presentation from them both.

Our next insight was from Fiona Faure,  a legal Executive PA from global lawyers DLA Piper. I was fascinated at this event hearing about how many roles, skills and different situations are covered by EAs and PAs. Some, like Fiona, manage to assist many bosses and not just one.

And then it was me! I confess that I loved it! Reminded of Paul’s guidance that you have the first 90 seconds to get 90% of the room with you, I delivered my opening and it was extremely well received with much laughter. Being known as a speaker on mental health, the expectation is for my talk to be gloomy so the ‘shock’ factor of a joke (with a message behind it) was a great place to start and get attention. I then took them on the roller coaster ride of my life in the last 20 years and then, most importantly, shared with them ways they can use to improve their lives, professionally and personally. As I spoke I kept reminding myself to speak clearly and slowly. I was thrilled by the positive response. Thanks for the reminders Paul!

Over lunch many ladies shared some very personal situations with me, asking for advice. I was extremely pleased with comments such as ‘There was something in there that we all could relate to’. The one comment that made me almost cry was ‘you were breath-taking’.

Sandra, Bethany, me and Dalya

After lunch Sandra Rickstrom,  EA and Internal Communications from Nokia, went through a fascinating history of administrative professionals and how technology has impacted upon their role. Her hints and tips for apps and platforms were great and I look forward to exploring them, e.g. Wunderlist.

Dayla then shared some of the ways that she organises events. I found that very useful as both a PA and as a speaker. Knowing both perspectives is very useful.

We concluded with Bethany giving us some guidance on using Twitter.

It was a pity that I did not have the opportunity to see any of Vienna! It was airport, hotel, airport! I travelled back to the airport with some of the ladies from the event.

The immediate outcome is that I am headed to Berlin now this Thursday to be part of the next Halcyon Group conference. They wanted me to speak at the Women in Leadership Global Summit as they believe my messages will be appreciated by the decision makers there.

I also have an invitation, to be confirmed, to speak in Switzerland!

My blogs earlier this month were the least positive I have written in a long time. Look what happens if you just keep on keeping on! In my mind I was having a party on the flight home. I was also thinking of and appreciating the many people who have supported and encouraged me along the way.

To say I am thrilled is an understatement. Why?

1. The opportunity to take messages about mental health and self-care into business
2. To be able to allow the delegates to learn from my experiences and knowledge so that they can make positive actions, as appropriate, for their health and happiness.
3. The endorsement of confidence in me and respect for what I can offer.

So here are my tips for you:

• Ask to meet delegates/speakers the evening before an event starts – begin to build relationships.
• If you doubt yourself, make sure you have done your homework so that your performance can be the best. Always keep learning and networking.
• The organisers found me through Linkedin – what is your profile like on there? Can you improve it?
• Ask questions of fellow delegates and speakers.
• Always contribute at an event thinking ‘how can I add value’ as opposed to ‘what’s in it for me?’
• Believe in yourself.

When I first resigned teaching 11 years ago to share my experience of postnatal illness I dreamed of becoming an international speaker. It certainly hasn’t happened overnight. On reflection, I needed more content and knowledge. With my boy away completing his degree, now perhaps the time is much better for my dream to become a reality.

So wherever you are, hang onto your passion and your goals may also be reached.

Elaine 🙂