In March 2020, when the world shut down and my live event calendar was wiped clean—I was concerned about working virtually and leading through adversity
As my speaking business went online, I wondered if it would survive the transformation. Would I still have an impact? Would I still matter? I’m sure you asked yourself similar questions regarding the events you plan.
While some businesses have adapted to their new normal, the events industry is in unprecedented flux, challenged by the economy, staffing shortages, Covid-19 guidelines, crunched timelines, and more. However, I’ve learned that regardless of the challenges and whether or not your business is happening in person, virtually, or via hybrid, there are three approaches commonly used by those who adapt and thrive.
Be Purpose Driven
Uncovering your organizational and individual purpose creates a north star amidst adversity. Research shows it can improve focus, resilience, and motivation—all things that leaders need to navigate people and processes through change.
If you want to develop self-driven, motivated people who will take ownership of their work, help them uncover their individual purpose and then connect that purpose to the organization’s purpose. This is how you tap into the power of intrinsic motivation that drives organizational excellence.
As a meeting planner, your purpose is to create meaningful connections and transformational experiences. Keep this top of mind and detach from past expectations. We might not have the time, resources, or budgets we had in the past, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still create impact.
Whether you need to hire new employees or retain the ones you have, people want to work for a leader and a company that contribute to something bigger than themselves. This doesn’t mean you have to start a non-profit, but infusing purpose into your business can be a competitive advantage during staffing shortages.
Be Future Focused
Vision and optimism are the keys to a future-focused approach. If we want to lead people through change, we have to emotionally connect them to a purpose-driven vision. We must tell a story about why this future is worth pursuing and include them in the journey.
Then we have to pursue this vision with optimism. What I’ve learned is that optimism is a choice. It’s something we choose every moment. Are we focusing on problems, or are we focusing on solutions? There are no neutral thoughts. We either have limiting beliefs that keep us stuck in the past or empowering beliefs that move us toward our vision.
Be Heart Centered
Leading others from our heart starts with leading ourselves from our heart. Our relationship with ourselves directly reflects on our relationships with the people we lead.
With so much uncertainty and change in the events space, it’s easy to be overly critical and judge ourselves. That is why we must practice self-compassion—an antidote to stress and burnout. Once we show up for ourselves, we can then show up for others.
As leaders, one of our roles is to make others feel like they belong; this is a top human-capital issue businesses face today. The widespread lack of connection has people craving to belong to something bigger than themselves.
The key is to invest in relationships. Even a simple handwritten thank-you card to a supplier or contractor after an event can go a long way toward creating a sense of belonging. And that contributes to engagement, performance, and retention.
Mike Lee has blended his background working with some of basketball’s elite, with mindfulness and emotional intelligence, to help high-performers unlock the human potential within.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and click here to find more Motivational Speakers
Embracing Digital Leadership: The Journey of Erik Qualman, aka “Equalman” Erik Qualman, widely recognized as “Equalman,” stands as a beacon of digital leadership and transformation. His work, which spans keynote speaking, bestselling authorship, and digital expertise, has profoundly influenced the realms of social media and digital transformation. Equalman’s journey is a testament to the power […]
Versatile Role of Event Emcee, whether they are conferences, seminars, or workshops, are essential for bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and fostering connections. However, the success of an event often hinges on the effectiveness of its host or moderator. These individuals play a crucial role in guiding the audience through the program, maintaining engagement, and […]
Choosing a professional speaker is a choice we assist you with. To take the head ache out of your planning and organisation to ensure your event runs smoothly and professionally 1. Decide on the Theme It’s no use looking for a wildlife speaker, if your theme is Future Global Trends. If you’re not sure whether […]
Understanding the Distinction: Customer Experience vs. Customer Service with Dan Gingiss. In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses often tout their “excellent customer service” as a hallmark of their brand. However, what many fail to recognize is that customer service is only one facet of a much broader and increasingly crucial discipline: customer experience (CX). While Understanding […]
How the Perfect Keynote Speaker Can Elevate Your Corporate Event into a Showstopper Let’s face it—corporate events can sometimes feel like just another day at the office. But with the right keynote speaker, your event can go from routine to remarkable. A great speaker can light up the room (or screen!), inspire your audience, and […]
Goals are easy to think of but harder to achieve, aren’t they? I mean, isn’t that the nature of goals to begin with? What’s missing between you and your goals might be walking the walk of your goals — not just talking the talk. Or rather, running the run of your goals. I’ll tell you what I […]
Celebrating African American History Month: A Spotlight on Black Keynote Speakers and Their Impact February is a month dedicated to honoring the rich heritage, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of the African American […]
The Mindset That Moves Mountains: 5 Speakers Who Turned Adversity into Power What if the next speaker you booked didn’t just deliver a keynote… …but ignited a fire inside every person in the room? ⚠️ These aren’t just speakers. They’re survivors, warriors, and visionaries who turned tragedy into triumph. They didn’t just “overcome adversity.” They […]
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
