Keynote Speaking
Having been a performer since kindergarten, it’s no surprise to anyone that in my fifth decade I still love being onstage. Keynote speaking is where I bring together Anna the performer, Anna the truthteller and Anna the highly polished professional.
My keynotes are high on interaction and energy, and I’m known for engaging even the most sceptical of audiences (think police, academics and auditors) through humour, honesty and the ability to balance inspiration and pragmatism.
Each of my keynotes includes interactive elements, relatable anecdotes, up-to-date research and super-practical, realistic take-aways that empower participants to take action. If I can possibly manage it, I’ll have people practising new skills before they leave their seats
My most popular keynotes for women-focused events are:
Power up! How to look, feel and *be* more powerful at work
While gender equality has come a long way in recent decades, women who demonstrate power are often still penalised - in the media, in our Parliament and in our workplaces.
So it’s no surprise that many women feel uneasy about exhibiting the power they already possess, and even less comfortable seeking greater power. From an early age we’ve learned that good girls are accommodating, selfless and deferential - qualities that are all too rare in those who are widely recognised as ‘powerful’.
So is it possible to be a ‘powerful woman’ without merely replicating the behaviour, body language, language and vocal habits of men?
In this highly interactive keynote, I demonstrate that the answer is unequivocally ‘yes!’, and provide practical tools to:
- recognise power dynamics in the workplace.
- exhibit powerful (and authentic!) behaviour, vocal habits, language and body language, even when you’re feeling fearful or scared.
- deploy your power to create positive outcomes for yourself, your colleagues and your community.
Tiny habits for career courage
Women already know how to be brave. Most of us do scary things every single day. But we don't always recognise our own acts of courage - perhaps because most of the time, the world still tells us that being nice, polite and accommodating is far more important than being bold, brave and tenacious.
'Career courage' will mean different things at different phases of your career. Sometimes it looks like continuing to speak in a meeting, even when you're being constantly interrupted. Sometimes it looks like asking for greater flexibility, or pursuing a development opportunity, or seeking out the support you need to get through the week. And sometimes it looks like taking a massive leap into something completely new.
In this action-oriented keynote, I share:
- the gendered norms that can make career courage especially challenging for women.
- techniques for dialling down self-doubt, making friends with your inner critic and honouring your values, even when it feels really scary.
- why focussing on building courage is more helpful than focussing on building confidence in your life and career.
