April 2023 meeting was all about being heard, and Katy, a TEDx coach and local radio DJ, who works for a large multi-national corporation told us about getting heard, and over coming nerves. She is also a celebrant. Katy was determined to empower us to “speak the truth even if your [our] voice[s] shakes” (Maggie Kuhn).
Katy gave us an overview of what had brought her to this point. A pivotal moment had been the death of her mother, after a very long degenerative illness. This made her think, what’s the worst that can happen? And she realised that the worst had happened, and that gave her the courage to leave her marriage and start new things.
Katy spoke about wearing a chunky necklace or interesting shoes so people would talk to you rather than you having to make awkward conversations about the weather or travelling, that it is important to accept compliments and tricks and distractions to stop people getting nervous.
Katy spoke about how women can be coached into being quiet and that it is important for women to find their voices and that mind set, self esteem and perfection can all prevent women from speaking, not only in public, but in the work place as well.
Katy gave the TEDx talks a good plug, and invited people to apply. For those interested the red circle is a nod to TED talks, where speakers stand on a black stage with a large red circle. Katy was a great speaker and everyone appreciated her words of wisdom and her efforts to challenge herself. If you’re wondering why we’re all stood up it’s because Katy had us doing exercises to at first relax us and then some power poses to emulate Amy Cuddy’s TED talk.
The Lincoln WI 