The recent Women in Partnership roundtable brought together inspiring female leaders who shared their insights on mastering public speaking, overcoming challenges, and leveraging their voices for advocacy and authenticity in the workplace. Hosted by Jen Waltz, VP of Global Alternate Channels at Kron, and Lara Darvie, Partnerships & Marketing Leader at Lara Darvie Enterprises, the session featured Julianne Zuber, Chief Partnership Officer at Infinera, Michelle Majeski, Director of Strategic Alliances at ZoomInfo, and Mayka Rosales-Peterson Senior Manager of Partner Marketing at Intelisys.
Public Speaking for Success
Julianne opened the discussion by sharing how public speaking has been a game-changer in her career, reminding us that “perfection is the enemy of progress” and that “we aren’t in this alone.” She emphasized the importance of authenticity and letting go of perfectionism, along with the value of a solid support system. Michelle added to this by quoting, “Brevity is the soul of wit,” highlighting how concise communication can enhance clarity. Mayka motivated everyone to “get ready for the moment” and encouraged them to “lean into the fear.”
Overcoming Fear and Embracing Vulnerability
Mayka shared her strategies for conquering the fear of public speaking, emphasizing that “the more vulnerable you are, the more it resonates with your audience.” She encouraged viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. This theme of vulnerability and authenticity ran through the entire session, with each speaker stressing how being true to oneself is key to connecting with any audience.
Leveraging Public Speaking for Women’s Advancement
The conversation also touched on how women in leadership can use public speaking as a tool for advocacy. Julianne urged participants to “speak your truth” and “bring facts,” challenging the underrepresentation of women in public speaking. Michelle discussed the impact of being a role model for women in male-dominated fields like tech, while Mayka spoke about using public speaking to elevate other women’s voices and drive meaningful change.
Balancing Professional and Personal Life
The session concluded with reflections on balancing personal and professional life. Michelle shared her journey of overcoming traditional gender roles to pursue her career, aiming to be a strong role model for her biracial daughter. Julianne, a single mother, discussed the challenges of juggling motherhood with her career, underscoring the importance of authenticity and support systems in navigating these challenges.
Final Thoughts
To wrap up, the speakers emphasized that mastering public speaking is a journey that involves continuous learning and self-improvement. As a takeaway, they provided a Public Speaking Self-Assessment Rubric to help participants evaluate their current skills and identify areas for growth. This tool is designed to guide you in refining your public speaking abilities, whether it’s managing stage fright, improving clarity and conciseness, or enhancing audience engagement. By using this rubric, you can track your progress and ensure you’re consistently growing as a confident and effective speaker.
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