Unfortunately, saying thank you seems to be an afterthought more and more. So at least once a month, I will take a few minutes to publicly appreciate someone that has had an impact on me.
This round: Agile 2025 (Keynote Part)
I went into this week exhausted from this world – really questioning humanity in general. And there was no denying that I also went into this event nervous to deliver my keynote at the level I desired. Yes, every time I speak it matters. But this one was different. This was as someone said, “home territory” which can add pressure to deliver for your friends and framily. This event has always been a special place for me. This is the conference that gave me a global community that educates, challenges and supports me. This is the conference that gives me the most energy and inspiration. This is the conference that changed my life – professionally & personally.
I set a few goals for myself with this keynote. One, deliver quality content and inspiration. Two, represent all the agilists that I stand on their shoulders. Three, hold at least a 4 second handstand on stage. As this was a keynote I’ve been delivering and improving, I felt solid about the first goal.
Let’s talk about goal three: The third goal was going to be a “whatever happens, happens.” situation – as my longest has been 3.5 seconds on stage. I took that breath and kicked up. As my feet hit the air, I knew I was going to get a hold on my first kick up. I counted. When I hit five, I got so excited – which made me lose my focus, but I came down controlled. Full transparency, I don’t remember ANYTHING from the moment my heel touched the stage until I was back at the table in the audience. The bad part – I didn’t say my closing line of “the best part of building resilience is that once you are intentional about building it… it keeps building.” The good part – I didn’t swear and I mentioned thanking volunteers. I guess I’ll take it. But I don’t remember the audience. I don’t remember my words. What you see is pure emotion of happiness and gratitude. I’m still in a bit of shock that I did it.
But it was the second goal that helped me level of my delivery in ways I didn’t even know I was capable of. Turns out, in my quest to make others proud, I felt the very people that I wanted to appreciate with me on that stage. I wasn’t just speaking as Tricia Broderick. I was speaking as a person that has learned from so many people. I was speaking as a person that has gained valuable opportunities and experiences from so many people. I was speaking as a person that has an amazing community and felt it.
For goals one and two, there were so many wonderful comments and recognition that I nailed that keynote. So many stayed to just give me gifts, hugs and even trick me into ten jump squats in heels (only for you Heidi Musser!). I am grateful for every person that approached me that day and throughout the week. I am grateful for the people that were not there but sent messages beforehand and after. I am grateful for those that I had no interaction with this week but am always connected with. I am grateful for the people that are no longer with us, but I felt their presence. But I really knew that I nailed goal two with these key moments:
- As I finally started to get my wits back at the table, I turned and saw Diana Larsen. She had this look of enormous pride and eager excitement to get to me for a hug. I could feel her love.
- Jim Highsmith approached me and said, “Information matters. Inspiration matters more. You inspired me. Thank you.” An absolute honor from someone that I hold the upmost respect for.
- Jake Calabrese almost at a loss for words, simply saying “next level!”. If anyone was going to tell me the absolute truth, it was Jake. I may have gotten to honor him on stage but this compliment just reinforced why I’m so lucky to have him as a friend.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, something happened that left me in a puddle of happy tears on Brad Swanson’s shirt (sorry about that). During the sponsor party, someone I didn’t know approached me and told me how he had never spontaneously stood to clap for a keynote before. I laughed and told him to stop messing with me. His response, “it wasn’t just me, half the room stood up for you.”. Remember me saying I have no memory after that handstand…I legit have no memory of the audience. I was in complete disbelief. I turned and there was Brad. I asked him. He confirmed and the tears flowed. Yes, it was my moment of shining but to me, it was a shining moment on this community and what we ALL are capable of. I truly had paid forward in this moment, and I felt every bit of it.
Thank you Chris Murman, Semira Allen, Reese Schmit, Nayan Hajratwala and Teresa Foster for trusting me with this amazing opportunity.
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