Does the thought of speaking in public make you break out into hives?⠀
I honestly never realized how many people have a true fear of public speaking until more recently in my career. Im talking fear inducing paralysis if the possibility of speaking to a crowd comes up.
Maybe I am in the minority because I truly enjoy speaking about the work I do and sharing how I do it with others.
There is an energy shift that takes place when I’m sharing from a stage, the front of a room, or behind the zoom camera or this microphone. Every time is a new opportunity to share my experiences. ⠀
I’m confident in my message every time because I always share about something I am an expert on: my way. ⠀
Im the only one qualified to talk about me. To share my experiences and my unique ways of navigating this journey I am on.
I didn’t always understand that I am, in fact, an expert. There was a time when I would have never labeled myself as an industry leader or expert. It felt like too much ego, too self-absorbed. I also realized that I wasn’t confident in my methods or processes.
I want to share three core criteria that industry leaders all have in common. Let’s break down each one and see if you identify with one or all three of these criteria I want you to use to evaluate if you can and should call yourself an industry leader.
#1: You are asked for your opinion.
Think about this one from a professional perspective. Do your co-workers, employees, or supervisors seek out your opinion. How often?
If you feel comfortable engaging when asked to give your insights or opinions, its because you are an expert.
How about when a mom friend sends you a quick text to ask your opinion on the best infant sleep sacks or the best places to shop in town for your teen daughter?
You are not being asked out of obligation. The people who are asking value your opinion because they see you as a trusted resource. A leader and an expert.
#2: You mentor others
Mentoring relationships do not have to be formal contracts to exist. They can be as formal or informal as you like. If you aren’t sure on this one, you might think that you are always the mentee and never the mentor.
Have you ever been asked for guidance or advice by someone in your industry or how about another woman from outside aspiring to do the work you are doing? This is a little different from asking an opinion. I’m talking about sharing your action steps on something like a task or project.
When you share your personal experiences in the form of advice or training, that is mentoring.
#3. You are ten percent ahead of someone else.
That’s it. Just ten percent. A few steps above on the career ladder or another season more in business. Or a few more years into a marriage or motherhood.
There is no set achievement or milestone to reach to be crowned an expert.
It’s ok to believe you are an expert at any point along your journey because you can’t see the finish line.
You are the expert on your business journey and what you provide. ⠀You are the expert on your motherhood journey in the same way.
Time to own the fact that yes you indeed are an expert. An industry leader with knowledge, skills, and experiences to share.
Why should you want to be considered an expert or leader?
It all comes back to confidence.
Confidence opens doors like public speaking opportunities which can then help you meet new people and turn those people into customers.
Doors like a bigger project at work which leads to a promotion or special recognition.
Or even just the simple belief that you are doing a great job raising your children and managing your homefront. Confidence that you are doing it right even when it feels overwhelming.
It might seem like a little thing but there is power in understanding this and more importantly, in believing it. Believe that you are ten percent ahead of someone else and that there are women working to be where you are in business and in motherhood.
Click here to listen to the Motherhood Merged Podcast episode for more details on this topic.
