What I Learned from the Mass Conference for Women Yesterday

Written by: Leslie Fishlock // December 11th, 2009 // News

Geek Girl Camp had the most fortunate opportunity to be a supporting organization of the Massachusetts Conference for Women and we were able to provide a Technology Help Desk for all the attendees to ask questions on computer, Internet and web-related questions. It was a great experience, and we cannot thank them enough for allowing us to partner with them on what is their crowning achievement of the year.

In sitting at our busy, bustling booth yesterday, I had a little time to reflect on a few things with Geek Girl Camp throughout the past year since we started and while in the midst of all the wonderful energy yesterday at the conference, I came up with some things I believe are true.

1.)    I learned that there are a lot of women in Massachusetts who believe that a conference devoted to them is worth taking the day off from life and work. (Over 5,000 attendees)

2.)    I learned that there are a lot of women in Massachusetts who can make a huge difference, if they just start supporting one another better and stop throwing each other under the bus. Face it, we all have done it one time or another. Stop.

3.)    I learned that what makes a conference great, is not just great speakers, but great attendees.

4.)    I learned that those who are willing to take the time to talk with people, answer questions, engage, smile, and most of all listen, are the winners of the conference and in life. Life is too short to brush someone off who is coming to you for help. Always be willing to help someone, even if you cannot help them.

5.)     I learned that you can never give people too much information and that knowledge should be shared. Even if you make your money and livelihood by what you are sharing. 90% of the time, people are not going to use it for their own gain or compete against you, and they will come back and use your services or tell secondary or terciary contacts about you. Don’t be stingy and share; be the Resource! There is no greater person on this earth than those who are the resource. Knowledge is our legacy.

6.)     I learned that there were a lot of organizations out there doing great things for women; we just need to have all of them working together to make all of our goals come true. Not to make it all easier for us so we lose our desire and passion; but so that we can all achieve greatness by not stepping on each other’s toes and wasting resources.

7.)    I learned that when you have a cause that you are passionate about, treat people with respect, lead with integrity and create excitement, people will believe in your cause as well and walk with you to the ends of the earth to achieve it.

8.)     I learned that when you do find these people, thank them every day, love them, ask they what they think, delegate, let them own it and you will see your cause flourish beyond belief. Oh, and do a random act of kindness every once in a while out of the blue. This will make sure people know you are thinking about them and care about them, without people thinking you want something in return.

9.)    I learned that similar to an iceberg, everyone sees the top 10% part that is the success of the cause; no one really knows the other 90% of the iceberg under water that is all the hours of hard work everyone involved puts into a cause. They also do not need to know and you don’t have to brag about it either. Keep it to yourself, smile and pretend it’s just your little secret. That is called humility.

10.)    I learned that honesty is always the best policy, no matter the situation. I would rather be known as a consistent straight-shooter than liked because I said what you wanted me to say. You will never be respected if you have an incessant need to be liked; but you will be respected if you are honest and gracious with people. People are resilient and will come around. Be true to yourself and in doing so, you are being true to everyone else.

11.)     I learned that as much as you trust other people with your cause, always protect yourself. Never feel bad to even the most devoted, avid person on your cause when it comes to protecting the cause. Remove your emotions and think about the health, wealth and longevity of the cause by drawing up expectations for everyone and utilizing your attorney. Everyone is more willing to be a part of a well-established cause with direction and organization. If not, they never were part of the cause to begin with.

12.)    I also learned that the conference was a great place for Geek Girl Camp to be. I hope the conference organizers were pleased with us and want us back. We were in our element by being “the resource” and trust agents for our cause.

It was a good day.

Thank you to everyone for stopping by our booth; we hope you had a great experience with us and would love to hear about your experience below!