Keeping the Magic of Summit Alive
STC Summit Anaheim was my ninth Summit! For the last several years, I’ve almost always returned from Summit energized, excited to have made new connections, sad about saying goodbye to friends that I see only once a year, and full of new ideas that I want to try.
Invariably, the magic fades
The tedium/rhythm of everyday life returns, and the excitement is over. Summer is traditionally a slow period for many chapters as well, so there’s not always an opportunity to put Leadership Day recommendations in place while they’re fresh.
This year, I decided that I did not want to lose the magic so quickly.
Here’s what I’m doing to keep the magic alive
I presented An Introvert’s Journey to Leadership at this year’s conference. The presentation was about my journey to leadership and included strategies and resources for introverted leaders. Like many of the sessions, it was standing room only. I had numerous conversations with attendees, realized the impact of the presentation, and decided I wanted to continue the discussion.
- I’m in the process of connecting on LinkedIn and other social media with my session attendees (Names gleaned from SCHED, the social networking tool STC provided for Summit attendees.) I’m also inviting them to #2 below.
- I have created a Slack channel to discuss introverted leadership, personality types, and the books I recommended as resources. (The channel is open to anyone interested. Contact me and I’ll invite you.)
- Using that Slack channel, I formed a study group for the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) exam, STC’s revamped certification program. (Initially, I was unsure what to think of certification. However, we’re living in an age when industry-specific certifications are becoming ubiquitous.) I received my Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSP) designation last year, so why not add a CPTC? I’ve also been talking to security professionals about techcomm basics, so it makes sense for me to have the certification I’m recommending.
- I’m doing selected follow-up conversations with connections, aka peeps, made at Summit. Individual followup provides an opportunity to strengthen these new connections and to determine how I, as a seasoned leader, can best support them. (I have a passion for mentoring and coaching new leaders.)
- The Rochester Chapter held an end of year celebration of our Community Achievement Award recognition as Community of the Year, Platinum Community, and Pacesetter Community. We shared our best takeaways from Summit.
It’s only a few weeks after Summit. I’m writing this now because I need to get my thoughts together before they fade.
What are you doing to keep the magic alive?
Ben Woelk
Senior Member
Rochester, Academic SIG, Policies and Procedures SIG
* Facebook: www.facebook.com/ben.woelk
* LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/benwoelk
* Twitter: @benwoelk
* Blog: benwoelk.com
This is the first in a series of curated and edited posts authored by attendees at Summit 2016. The posts will discuss key takeaways and efforts by individuals and STC Communities to build on their Summit experience. If you'd like to contribute a post, let us know.
Keeping the Magic Alive appeared initially at http://benwoelk.com/keeping-magic-summit-alive/