SANTA ANA PUEBLO, NM - Public speaking can be a double-edged sword, both empowering and terrifying at the same time. Luckily, Wendy McManus, Leadership Coach and Mental Fitness Trainer at Connect 2 Potential, is here to help guide us through the fundamentals of conquering this fear and harnessing it as a tool for success through her upcoming session at this year’s Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference.

“This will be a highly interactive session, providing a forum for us to hear from many different voices in the room. Anyone who wants to practice speaking up will have that opportunity,” she tells me. “And, of course, we will be sharing tips, techniques, and confidence-building tools to help women in the produce industry find their voice and make a bigger impact.”

Whether searching for personal or professional development at the conference as a well-established vet, an up-and-comer, or somewhere in between, this session will help women advance their careers.

“By stepping into the spotlight, a woman can become better known in the industry. She can build her own reputation and can highlight her company by simply introducing herself to the group,” says Wendy. “Speaking up will expand her network and build her confidence. It’s a big win all around, and the only cost of entry is the courage to step forward.”

Evolving the session to encompass the changes we have seen throughout the pandemic, with many of us working—and living—in the virtual world, Wendy will explore how public speaking has taken on a new, broader meaning that shifts from large presentations to Zoom meetings and breakout groups. In this session, she will delve deeper into the valuable openings these shifts created for those who want to hone their communications skills.

“I think the rise of virtual meetings has provided more opportunities for people to speak up,” she enlightens me. “I’ve heard people say it’s not as scary because they are in their own physical space, often in their own homes—it can feel more comfortable to speak in a Zoom room as compared to a big meeting room.”

Now, like me, you may be wondering how Wendy will wield her expertise to mitigate this age-old fear. While she wouldn’t give me all her secret tips and tricks, as they will be revealed at her session, she did share that the key to it all is mindset.

“Do you feel fear, anxiety, dread? Maybe it’s excitement, anticipation, or enthusiasm? The label you use and what you tell yourself can have a huge impact on how you respond to the situation,” she tells me. “Once you can identify that voice in your head, you can peel back the layers and ask yourself if it’s accurate. In other words, what are the true risks and what is just a story you are telling yourself?”

With that, I feel like I have some serious brain training to do! To see what other invaluable insights Wendy has to share, join her session on September 13 at 9:45 at the Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

Connect 2 Potential