Comments on: Speak up

By: Karen McGrane

Karen McGrane — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:15:58 +0000

Honestly I LOVE speaking. The only reason I don’t volunteer to do more is just that it’s an investment of time and money, both of which are in short supply when you’re running a business. But now that you’ve brought this up I’ll try to get out there more.

By: I think therefore IA (Livia Labate) » Women: the issue in women issues

I think therefore IA (Livia Labate) » Women: the issue in women issues — Wed, 28 May 2008 00:37:27 +0000

[...] recently blogged about women speaking in conferences (or the lack thereof). Since then I have engaged in some fantastic conversations about it. I heard [...]

By: Ross

Ross — Sat, 17 May 2008 02:29:23 +0000

I have an idea about this one. It’s pretty simple.

Men like to hear themselves talk more than women do. Bigger egos.

By: erin malone

erin malone — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:17:35 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree that we should be doing more of this. I know I am lax – frankly I HATE speaking. I also suffer from the “I know that, I could do that” but then never get my act together cause when I sit down to try I realize I know nothing.

On another note – as a conference reviewer – most of the proposals reviewed are blind – so you dont know who is female or not. So if mostly male submit, them mostly male will speak.

By: Russ

Russ — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:37:58 +0000

Hey Liv,

I’m not trying to make it easier. I’d still suggest 2. Of all the women I know on my own twtter feed, on lists, etc. It is rare for me to find one of them who shouldn’t be presenting.

So, for 2008, then , I’d say 2. There a bazillion conferences out there.

By: Livia

Livia — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:35:47 +0000

That’s a great point Chris. If people aren’t up for a crowd of 300 yet, I highly encourage for example, facilitating a birds-of-a-feather session, or being the question asker on a panel. There are many paths.

I will keep to the core goal as is though, I want folks to aim at speaking in at least 1 conference; if they TRY for that we may not get 100% success, but I’m sure that trying can at least get some to a) consider the idea b) exercise some of the skills, like presenting to a group internally, etc.

PS I’m likely speaking at 3 conferences this year. Once details are ironed out, I’ll note here.

By: Christopher Fahey

Christopher Fahey — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:30:42 +0000

Maybe a good interim step would be for women to pledge to speak in front of groups formally but in a non-conference context first. For example, to a group of one’s co-workers, or to a client team.

Speaking at a conference is a big step, and for me it was preceded by many years of standing in front of colleagues and clients and students and talking about things I believe in.

In many businesses, I suspect, women aren’t given (or do not take) these opportunities as much as they could or should. Public speaking takes practice, and until one is invited or pushed into it, or volunteers for these first steps, taking the plunge into a public conference could be pretty daunting.

By: Livia

Livia — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:27:17 +0000

Way to go Donna!!!

Kit, I agree but anything needs to be worth your time.

Side note: I have to say though that’s a very US-centric approach to dating. Let me suggest a Brazilian approach: Go out to meet people and have fun, you just might meet someone who is special (there is no “dating”). This is why I think people have such a hard time in the US.

The corollary, why don’t we think of presenting as an opportunity to meet new people and share the cool shit you are doing and how awesome you are, instead of the delivery of something specific with an expectation of return?

By: Donna Spencer

Donna Spencer — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:22:35 +0000

I’m doing it. Spoke here yesterday: http://ux08.webdirections.org/ (3/9 speakers were girls; 7/9 speakers were australian).

Teaching here in August: Information Architecture and Collaborative Design

Teaching in NZ in august (unnanounced). Then another unnanounced conference in September. And maybe Oz-IA – proposals aren’t open yet.

Then here in October: http://www.uie.com/events/uiconf/2008/

And here in November: http://www.edgeoftheweb.org.au/

By: Kit

Kit — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:15:55 +0000

It’s like dating. It’s got to be worth the time.