If you scroll down and check out my Vendor Tip, you’ll gain some insight into my sentiment for the podiatry profession and meetings.
As I was reflecting on the 12 years I’ve been working in this profession, one thing became very clear to me. While most of my time in the last decade has been sitting at my desk and staring at a computer screen, it’s the time I have spent at meetings that has truly made the biggest impact on my career. Nearly every single individual I work closely with is the direct result of a connection made at a conference.
I also started thinking about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Luckily most of my meeting experiences have been positive in regard to the interactions and the “results” in the aftermath (i.e. new partnerships; new friendships, etc.) There are, though, a few bad apples in my meeting experience bunch.
In an effort to be accountable, I try to evaluate where my actions or mindset could have been stronger so that a more positive experience would ensue. So my tip here is… take a step back and look at the way you’re going into your next meeting.
As you prepare for your next educational seminar/conference, think back on all of your past meetings that were just plain awesome. Did you go into the environment looking to battle, or did you go into the environment looking to collaborate? Did you go into the environment looking to point out the flaws or mistakes of your colleagues and peers, or did you go into the environment looking to learn from your colleagues and peers?
Ultimately, take a look at your goals and ask yourself if the mentality you’re taking into your next meeting aligns with achieving that goal… or if you’ve fallen off the rails momentarily. It’s OK! Putting the train back on the track is always possible; as long as you don’t burn the bridge your tracks sit on.
-Sarah Breymeier