Well, let me be clear: This was my final Leadership Summit as the chair of the event.  I will definitely be returning as an attendee.

Two years ago, David Hussman asked me if I wanted to chair this event (he was the current chair) for the next four leadership summits. As I had already been an attendee and speaker for this event, I was honored and excited.

Chairing the Leadership Summit is very different than chairing the Agile Alliance Agile2017 conference. For this event, I’m a team of one.  There is no submission process.  I select the speakers.  I decide the format.  I determine and communicate the deadlines. I facilitate the summit.

What I loved the most:

  • Purpose: Leaders often go to a conference focused on what is needed for their customers, for the organization and/or for their team.  There needs to be a space for leaders to focus on their growth to truly achieve those aspects.
  • New Speakers: My target was to have two coach/trainers and two practictioners as speakers each time.  One of the two practitioners was often brand new to speaking – to sharing their journey.  I absolutely loved being able to pay it forward by providing an opportunity to grow themselves.
  • Experienced Speakers: I also was able to work with people that I greatly admire and respect. I’m able to chair the summit and learn from people that constantly challenge me to grow.  I think back to the people that spoke over the past two years and I smile.
  • Techwell organizers: Seriously, they are the nicest and most helpful team of people.  I absolutely look forward to seeing Allison, Lee, Paige, etc.  I’m very grateful for all of their support.
  • Duration: Being able to chair four summits in a row was refreshing.  I enjoyed being able to learn and tweak from one event to the next event.

What I would have done differently:

  • Paired Speakers:  I did this a couple of times but I wish I would have done more.  Had an experienced speaker pair with a new speaker to deliver.  This could have scaled even more the aspects that I loved the most.
  • USBs: Every summit, we provide a USB drive with all of the session slides loaded.  In order to not have speakers submit their materials 6 weeks before the event, I (with wonderful helpers over the years) would then spend over an hour loading ~150 USB drives the day before the event.  I didn’t really explore if there is something more valuable and less time consuming.
  • Transparency:  In writing this post, I realized I have not shared the behind on the scenes for this role.  Yet, I did for the Agile20xx conference roles.  I am not sure why but I wish I had been sharing.

 

Dave, as always, I am forever grateful for the support and opportunities to kick ass.

On Friday, I passed the baton to Bob Galen.  I know he will take the Leadership Summit even further. Personally, I can’t wait to attend.

To all the attendees and speakers over the past two years, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Tricia Broderick

Tricia Broderick

Tricia Broderick is a leadership and organizational advisor. Her transformational leadership at all levels of an organization, ignites growth of leaders and high performing teams to deliver quality outcomes. Tricia has more than twenty years of experience in the software development industry. She is a highly-rated trainer, coach, facilitator and motivational keynote speaker. Beyond her extensive knowledge and skills, her biggest offering is inspiring people to believe anything is possible.

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