chris-c-speaks

It’s Blackity Black Black History Month: 3 Ways to Make Your Black History Month Celebrations More Meaningful

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:37:56 GMT

It happens every February—Black History Month! This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week in 1926, founded by noted historian Carter G. Woodson. So let’s make this year’s celebration extra special.

I have a special place in my heart for Black history and Black history facts. It was one of the things that got me reading as a young scholar, and I was always fascinated by the incredible inventions and contributions Black people have made to the advancement of culture, politics, and technology. Being from Chicago, spending time at the Carter G. Woodson Museum learning about Carter G. Woodson was a flex—before I even knew it was a flex.

The truth is, Black history is American history—and world history. Highlighting the contributions of Black folks isn’t a DEI issue, nor does it diminish the contributions of others. What it does do is create an opportunity to connect with people in your organization who may not always see people who look like them represented in a positive light.

Every scholar who says they want to be a doctor or surgeon should know about Daniel Hale Williams and Percy Julian. The world needs to know as much about Robert F. Smith as it does Michael Jordan—they’re both billionaires! This is an opportunity to introduce scholars to new heroes and sheroes who helped shape the world as we know it. Let’s not take that opportunity for granted.

Here are three ways to really celebrate the amazing contributions of people of African descent.

1. Make It Personal

Please highlight the titans of Black history! Figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, Ida B. Wells, and Sojourner Truth are foundational to American history.

But beyond the names found in textbooks, take time to highlight Black history in your own community. Honor local contributions to show that the success of your school, organization, or city was an inclusive process.

A scholar who is a first-generation college student? That’s Black history.

The first Black person in your organization to hold a certain title or position? That’s Black history too.

2. Buy Black

One of the best ways to support people is financially. Historically, Black-owned businesses have faced challenges securing institutional funding, accessing adequate advertising, and obtaining startup capital. Despite all of that, Black businesses continue to thrive.

Support and recognition are great—but economics are better. Nothing says “I celebrate and value your work” like money.

3. Share the Full Spectrum of the Black Perspective

Black history is more than suffering. Love, joy, laughter, science fiction, horror, and innovation are all part of the Black experience.

Whatever you do this February—keep it Black. And if you’re really about standing on business, let this be the kickoff to a consistent and intentional celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of Black people—past, present, and future.

What are you doing this Black History Month?

Make Summer Count

Thu, 09 May 2024 13:15:26 GMT

Congratulations to all the scholars finishing up the school year, YOU MADE IT!! There are some big changes coming up for you next semester. So the team here at Chris C Speaks came up with 10 tips to help you #makesummercount so you will be ready for your next step! The first step is realizing that #leadershipisaverb so that means what you do (the actions you take) this summer will help to prepare for your next step, whether it’s high school, college, entering the workforce, starting a business, or something all together different. You may not know it yet, but how you spend your summer will either set you up to run the next stage of life or get run off it!

1 – Read a book for growth AND for fun – yes that means you have to read two books!!

I used to only read books for fun; stuff I was interested in or something that was about to be turned in to movie. Then I went on a kick where I only read a book that was going to increase my net worth. SMH there is power in balance. Now I read for both growth and pleasure. The point is to keep reading and learning. You can learn just as much from a post-apocalyptic read as you can a self-help book. #readersareearners Just know that the more you get used to reading, the better prepared you will be for those college courses you'll eventually take, learning company policies, or starting a business. Full Disclosure: Leviathan and The Elements of Style (required reading on a lot of college campuses) or corporate disclosures might still be a tough read.

2 – Prioritize Service

I know it’s the summer any you want to go to kick back and chill, I feel you fam! But the summer is not about just relaxing, it’s about making this summer count! What better way to make your time count than to prioritize service?! Do something for someone that can’t do for themselves. Connect with something bigger than yourself. It allows you put positive energy into the atmosphere, make a
positive impact on someone’s life, and realize how blessed you are. It also allows you to put your time where your heart is all while growing/building your network. It is highly likely that the folks you meet when you volunteer and do community service surrounding things you are interested in will share similar interest as you, so you get to be around like minded folks with a passion for helping others. Those are some of the best folks to know. I am firm believer that your net worth is tied directly to your network.

3 – Practice a Real World Skill You Hate

I hate washing clothes, especially white clothes!! I’d rather buy new white tees and undershirts than wash them. Even though I hate washing clothes, I know HOW to wash them! I will never forget my first year as an RA and a student turned all their clothes tie-dye because they put bleach in their color clothes load �� ! DON’T BE THAT STUDENT, �� (or the student that nearly started a fire popping popcorn in the microwave. They set the timer for 20 minutes….on purpose, cause they thought it “seemed like a good number”. )Take this summer as an opportunity to practice a real world skill that you hate doing or are unfamiliar with, it might be useful in your next phase. Things like washing clothes, cooking, balancing your bank account, paying a bill, etc. You will have plenty of new experiences once you start adulting, but core life skills shouldn’t be one of them.

4 – Get Active!

Heal th is wealth! This one is simple, but I have to be honest..it’s also personal. If you’ve been rocking with me for a minute you know I couldn’t have shared this as a suggestion a few years ago. I was terribly inactive and my health and mobility suffered because of it. Now, I make being active a part of my daily routine and my quality of life has dramatically improved. If it’s a hobby or exercise, do something that gets you moving, gets your heart rate up, and lets you get a good stretch/sweat.

5 – Write a letter!

I got a letter in the mail from my boy since summer before 3rd grade and it bought me to tears! We live in such a digital world full of likes, DM’,s and emails; getting an actual handwritten letter in the mail is such a rare occurrence and that is what makes it special! This is an intentional act that is mad thoughtful. When it happened to me, it motivated me to pay it forward and write a letter to a few folks that I hadn’t chopped it up with in a minute. While I don’t expect to become pen pals, the effects of getting a handwritten note in the mail cannot be overstated. Remember the feeling you get when you receive a note and imagine it amplified when you send one to your parents or teacher or mentor.

6 – Take a road trip

Get in the car and drive somewhere you have never been!! I don’t care if it’s just to the other side of town! Do something different. See something different. Expose yourself to something new and exciting. Make a plan, take a friend, just make it happen. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new place, find a favorite thing. Start getting your mind used to seeing and processing new places. There is something exciting about experiencing a place for the first time getting to learn about a new thing, but even more so is the journey. The conversations, funny experiences, getting lost, arguing over the playlist ��! It will be a valuable exercise as you start your next journey.

7 – Clean up your socials

Take a close look at your social media activity and go waay back. You know to that time you thought trolling was an Olympic sport and you posted things you knew would get under peoples skin. Make sure your current social media presence reflects who you are now. Also, be sure to check them all! You might not rock with Tumbler and X now, but maybe you did back in the day. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, now is a great time to craft one. You’ll be attending conferences and meeting new and exciting folks. LinkedIn is currently the most professional digital format to network and connect with like minded folks, be sure to put your best foot forward. If you want to be really big time check out digital business cards with either a QR code or a NFC-Tap feature.

8 – Find a new place to eat

Treat yourself to a new restaurant. Try a different type of cuisine or that new hot place everyone is buzzing about. Stretch your taste buds!! On a recent trip I had a student suggest a new ice cream spot. When I got there the flavors were crazy! I never thought I’d like rosemary, honey, and goat milk ice cream but I did!! Now I tell everybody that will listen about it! Its sounds silly but I gained some confidence by eating that ice cream. It helped me open up to new culinary experiences which led to cultural experiences which ultimately led to my growth and development.

9 – M ake a goal and CRUSH IT!

I am a big fan of goals, vision boards and the like. I’m a bigger fan of winning and crushing goals! Take a moment and build the useful habit of setting goals (you should always have a blend of both short and long term goals that work together to create the vibe you want) and experience the confidence that comes from reaching those goals. Don’t get caught up on what your goal should be as long as the goal helps you, it’s a good one. You can start with micro wins like waking up at a certain time, being active, or reading/speaking affirmations. Consistency is the key here, it takes about 21 days of doing something to create a habit, but a with a goal, you set the end date! Start with something reasonable and set yourself up for a win! The process of successfully doing hard things has two main side effects: 1. It proves to you that you can do hard things which gives you confidence the next time a hard thing comes in your path. 2. It gives you a blueprint to scale - you learn how to motivate yourself and push your limits!

10 – Find your Big Bad Wolf

Being independent is a big deal, so It’s ok to be nervous or even anxious about this next step you are taking. Don’t be ashamed or feel bad for having concerns. That just means this step is important to you. But I want you to ask yourself a question, WHY? What is it about the next step that has you shook? Is it the money, the books, the people, being away from home, etc. whatever it is, put a name to it!! Call that thing out so you can game plan on how to address it. Once you figure out what is causing the nerves, you can address it. Once the three pigs realized how the wolf was beating them they adjusted. That doesn’t mean you will never be nervous again, but conquering your fears is sort of like lifting weights…. The more you do it the easier it gets next time. And eventually you can lift heavier loads.

What are looking forward to doing this summer?

Confidence Like you Sing in the Shower

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:24:34 GMT

Confidence Like you Sing in the Shower

That moment when you’re in the shower and your favorite song is stuck in your head. There’s nothing like it! You will hit high notes like Mariah Carey, sing in perfect bass like that one guy from Boyz II Men, and create your own ad libs like you have been singing since you were a one-year-old! Or what about when you and a close friend are in the car and your jam comes on? You sing that song like you are performing at the Grammy’s, oblivious to the folks staring at you at the red light. How do you translate that confidence to your student leadership?

Thing is… most folks can’t sing… not even a little bit. But it’s something about the shower and the car that gives us the confidence to out sing a Grammy award winning artist. What is it about those places that gives us that confidence? I know it’s not that we’re naked! Is it the curtain? Can’t be or cats would be walking around with curtains and capes! Maybe, it’s the airbag in our car or the seat belt that makes us feel safe. Or maybe, it’s the comfort of not having anyone to impress but yourself.

Not having the pressure or expectation of someone laughing at your high note clowning you for your screeching rendition of “My Girl” gives you a special confidence. What if you could have that same type of confidence in your leadership abilities? What could you accomplish on your campus and in your community if you had the unfailing confidence? I know it would make you a more powerful leader. Not like dictator powerful, but visionary, influential powerful.

Here are 3 ways to develop shower, car sing along confidence and become a powerful leader:

1. Don’t be afraid to fai l – it happens to the best of us! (SEE: Using Failure to Achieve Success): The most important factor of your shower confidence is that you’re not worried about messing up! You aren’t going for perfect pitch; you’re just belting out your favorite tune! It’s about the feeling and emotion behind it. You are singing the song because you like it not because you’re trying to demonstrate your ability to replicate complex tonal notes. You should lead the same way; unafraid to fail and doing it from your heart because you really enjoy what you’re doing. Of course, you want to get it right, but the passion that drives you to get involved and lead should outweigh your fear of failure.

2. Make it Your Own – My mom and I used to sing a song in the car together all the time. We would really get into it, so much so that we’d be out of breath when the song was over. One day I was listening to the song at home and actually listened to the song instead of singing it and made a shocking discovery… we were butchering the words to a wonderful Stevie Wonder song. The next time the song came on in the car my mom and I started singing and I tried to use the right words, it just didn’t feel right. We had made that song ours, just like you should do with your leadership. Own it! Lead in your own way. There is no set way to lead, no standard leadership method so you can adjust as you go and shape the way you lead to suit your abilities and the needs of your group. Don’t be so caught up in leading like your predecessor that you forget to be you! Your group had confidence that you could do the job, you should believe that too.

3. Keep Pushing! – Confidence comes from comfort and comfort is developed by consistency. I don’t know about you but the first time I start to sing a song I’m a little shaky about it, hesitant and unsure. Oh but once I get comfortable with it it’s a wrap! That’s when I really start to get down! You know you’re really comfortable with the song when you know all the pauses, breaks, and ad libs. me and my boys used to rap Biggie Smalls song Juicy word for word without missing a beat. We had all the pauses and everything. Our favorite part was when he said, “baby baby ugh.” We never missed it. We also sang it everyday at least 5 times a day often on repeat. (Don’t judge me.) It was the consistency that made us comfortable and with that came the confidence. The more you lead and get involved the more comfortable you will become. Stay consistent and keep pushing to develop a comfort level with the responsibilities of your position. You can do this by working on committees and events before you step into a formal leadership role. Whatever you do, keep pushing because consistency is key to developing your confidence.

When you take the time and put in the effort to work on your leadership skills you will become a more powerful student leader. It’s a process so breathe easy if you aren’t ready over night. But these three things will give you “Shower Car Sing Along Confidence” and that will make you a more powerful leader.

Redefining Leadership

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:22:47 GMT

Redefining Leadership

After speaking at a conference at the University of Missouri, I was talking to a group of students about the workshop. Somehow we got on the topic of what role a young lady in the group played in her organization and her aspirations for the next year. As the young lady began telling us how she didn’t want to hold an office, chair an event, or be at any events that weren’t mandatory, it didn’t take long to figure out she was in the organization because the members got a free trip to this national conference.

After clowning her motives for joining, I asked her a simple question, “What is your favorite ice cream?”

The girl acted as if I asked did she want a million dollars! She hurriedly squealed out “COOKIES & CREAM!” And not just and cookies and cream either, it had to be the kind made in a small town right outside of Houston (bonus points if you know the name of the place). Without any further prodding this now extremely excited young lady began to passionately describe not only the taste of the ice cream but how good she felt while eating it!

After her 5 minute keynote, I asked her another simple question, “What’s your favorite thing about your organization?” And as quickly as Thor lent her his hammer, he took it away and her thunder along with it. Under an embarrassed smirk she answered, “I don’t know!?” Immediately, I asked “What’s your favorite thing about yourself?” As she stood there biting her lip and staring at the floor, she lifted her head and formed her mouth to answer. When nothing came out tears began to flow from her eyes. It’s amazing how much we know about the nuances of life compared to how much we know about ourselves.

Student leadership can help you understand yourself. Now student leadership won’t magically show you your life’s purpose, but it can help you discover your passions. You find out the what, how, and why you are motivated and with that knowledge you can better set your expectations and how/why we interact with others. Student leadership should be more than just a resume builder or notch on your belt. We need to redefine how we look at student leadership and begin to view it as an Avenue of self discovery and learning. The soft skills you acquire in leadership roles can help you maximize the hard skills you learn in your course work.

Think about how much more you will accomplish when you take the time to find out where your passions lie. Because you understand how you are motivated you will take on roles that cater to your strengths, tackle your areas of improvement, and eliminate time-stealing tasks, roles, and people from your life. Understanding the potential impact of student leadership on your professional development changes your perspective on those meetings and projects.

You don’t need a formal role or title to be a leader, though it’s important to take on those responsibilities when you’re ready. What you need is the perspective that every student on your campus is a leader with a purpose and privilege to impact their peers and their communities.

Stop imaging the greatness that can ensue from unleashing your passion and start living in it!!

Redefine Student Leadership and become a More Powerful, More Effective, & More Balanced Leader.

3 steps to better presentations, plus 3 bonus tips to really change the game

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:24:55 GMT

Stop feeling like this cat and dominate your next presentation!

Presentations are a part of life, especially if you are in a leadership role. We have to make them in orientations, meetings, class, work, even in social settings. It’s impossible to escape the need to present information to folks. Presentations are an easy way to convey your message to group. However, in today’s world your message is competing to be heard amongst dozens, if not hundreds, of other messages so its critical that you do your best. Even though some of us are comfortable giving presentations, others absolutely dread it! Either way these three tips will help you give better presentations.

1. Practice – Freestyling is for rappers and skateboarders! I don’t care how many times

you have done the presentation or how well you know the info – prepare for each presentation like its your first time delivering it. The more familiar you are with the information the more confident you will feel. And confidence is one of the keys to an effective delivery. People want to know you believe what you are saying and presenting with confidence is a great way to make that happen. BONUS: how many times have you seen someone stumble in a presentation only for it to derail the entire thing?! DON’T DO IT! Keep going, being confident and having a strong finish can make up for a stumble here or there.

2. Be Prepared – Technology is cool until you don’t have the right adaptor to connect your laptop to the monitor! YOU should have the most basic adaptors to connect your laptop to a projector. If there is an IT dept. on hand to help be sure to be sure to communicate what type of laptop you have and the connections you need. It’s also a good idea to have an extra battery or at the very least be operating with a full battery. And when possible, you should have everything you need for your presentation on your computer, instead of if being in a cloud or internet based. You never know when you will be subject to to a spotty connection. You should also be prepared for your tech to completely fail you when you need it most! So be ready to give your presentation without it by having a printout of the key points you want to hit. BONUS: PowerPoint is cool but there are so many different options for making presentations. Check out prezi and slide rocket for starters.

3. Know your audience – Don’t be the guy on the southwest airlines commercial yelling out the wrong city or group! That’s a moment too tough to overcome. But seriously, it’s important to know how you are talking to and why. Having a solid understanding of your audience and why they are there will give you direction on how to best reach them. When you have a frame of reference of your audiences perspective, you can tailor your message to both meet their needs and their expectations.

BONUS: knowing your audience is great but don’t over generalize, always remember you are speaking to a group but they are not all homogenous. So when prepping for a group keep the tailored part of your message general enough to hit home with with the average person in your audience. I.e. most freshmen are a little nervous about coming to campus and most seniors are nervous about finding a job after graduation. Knowing this allows you to tailor your examples, humor, and benefits of your message.

Good luck and keep it moving!!

The dark side of Leadership

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:30:00 GMT

Leadership has been a buzz word in pop culture for the past 25 years. It is the undefinable ever evolving sometimes unreachable goal of CEO’s and yuppies alike. People present leadership as the cure-all for what ailes our communities, campuses, and offices. But there is a dark side to leadership, the side that no one talks about. EVER!! until now!!

It is the thing that we don’t think about until we are knee-deep in our roles. Then it hits us!! The dark side of leadership.

It hit me while listening to financial guru Dave Ramsey, the dark side of leadership is its opportunity cost! Strap on your Freaoenomics cap for a moment and follow me.

When you buy a 40k car with cash, it cost more than just 40k. It also cost whatever you COULD HAVE PURCHASED with that 40k. i.e. 40k on a car or a 40k on a mutual fund the difference is you lose 35% of your investment as soon as you leave the lot when you buy a vehicle instead of the 8.5% interest you get from the mutual fund. In the end the opportunity cost is more than just the 40k. It is also the 8.5% interest you missed out on and the 25% you lost in instant depreciation.

Ok!!! I’m done with the economics lesson, but there a valuable principles to gleaned here. Anyone that’s ever held a leadership position can identify with this scenario: Friday night, just got paid, party’s jumping…and you have SOMETHING to do!! A proposal, flyer, meeting, homework that you put off because of a meeting, or worst of all….a project that someone else dropped the ball on!! It is now that you are experiencing the opportunity cost of leadership. Because effective and progressive leadership demands your effort, time, and sacrifice.

Whether its planning a retreat for your student organization, working on a project for work, or taking time out of your schedule to counsel a friend…all aspects of leadership have an opportunity cost. Because instead of leading, you could simply ‘be’ and go-with-the-flow. You can invest your effort, time, and sacrifice into less self-less things.

And there is nothing wrong with that! Do you! But for those of us that decide to take on the mantle of leadership, understand that there is a dark side; effort to be given, time to be spent, and sacrifices to be made. In the spirit of full disclosure, every choice we make has an opportunity cost, the question to ask ourselves is, “is it worth it?” Don’t be scared of the dark side of leadership, embrace it!

The force is strong in you!! Make the most of your decisions and role as a leader, make the opportunity cost worth it.

Wait Til I Get My Meetings Right

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:57:03 GMT

Wait til I get my meetings right

Kanye told yall you weren't going to be able to tell him "nothing" once he got his money right. Ask Sway how convos with him go now. I want you to have that same type of swagger when it comes to your meetings. And unlike Sway, I got the answers on how to maximize attendance, productivity, and accountability in your orgs meetings…

The 2-2-2 Method

2 Hours before the meeting - Pub, Prep, & Prime

Pub - send out one last tweet with all the important logistical details (time, place, how long you expect the meeting to last), a Facebook Message or text can work as well.

Prep - Preview and finalize the agenda, make sure the room is available, and review talking points & goals for the meeting with key participants such as the e-board, chairs, advisors, etc.

Prime - Pump up the importance of the meeting! @'em - include your members in your social media posts about the meeting. Send out a teaser about the important goal you need to accomplish this meeting.

2 Days After the Meeting

Review the notes - make sure everything makes sense and is an accurate representation of what happened at the meeting.

Send the notes - Sending out the full minute transcript might be a bit much, but a message, sent to the meetings attendees, highlighting the key points and moments is great! (Only send this out to the people that attended the meeting or those that request it)

Include Reminders - In the highlights that you send, reserve a special section for reminders (general or specific) about goals, deadlines, commitments, etc.

2 Weeks After the Meeting

Follow up and Follow Through - This is not from you, this is from the members of the organization! Don't micro-manage, allow everyone in your org room to succeed and grow or fail and learn. Once the expectation is set and consistently promoted, maximizing your meetings becomes second nature.

The 2-2-2 Method is a great tool to maximize your meeting experience. It is not a replacement for being prepared, respectful of people's time and efforts, and organized. Be a More Powerful, Effective, and Balance.

Do you know what your goals look like?

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 18:24:46 GMT

Do you know what your goals look like?

If we are defined by what we do and what we do is shaped by our goals, the process of goal-setting is vital to our path to greatness. Often we set goals and don’t know what they look like. We say things like “I will do better next time,” or “everyday I’ll get better.” But what does better look like? How do you know when you’re better, and how much better is good enough?

Before you huff and puff about the goal setting acronym you think is on the way, save it!! I am going to propose a different way to think about goal setting. I propose that we take the time to visualize our goals. I mean really see them. I’m talking HD, 3D, Blu-Ray see them. Imagine the hard work, the right work, the setbacks, and the achievements.

So often goals are simply notches on our belt, or necessary evils for us to live a certain lifestyle. Aside from our END LINE FOCUS, goals are simply items on a to-do list. Normally, when we set goals, we concentrate on the quantitative aspect (one more thing checked off the to-do list) of reaching new heights. This sets up the structure or bones of our dreams and aspirations. It provides a decent outline, but when things begin to fall apart and “it” finally hits the fan, you need more than an outline or skeleton!

The visualizing I’m suggesting we do is how you put the meat on the bones! Something you can sink your teeth into when you are forced to regroup.

The next time you set a goal for yourself, I want you to know what it looks like. I want you to be able to close your eyes and see it, take a deep breath and smell it, lick your lips and taste it!!

The process works by engaging your imagination and your quantitative thought process. Normally, these two thought processes occur separately. By combining these two opposite ways of thinking, we are able to balance them both while formulating a more complete idea.

Think about it. When you are planning an event, you have a different thought process for coming up with the budget than coming up with ideas for a social activity. And sometimes, that budget planning thought process will kill a couple of big ideas you have. That’s because you have two opposing thought processes going on and we have always been taught that prudence wins out. However, through the process of visualizing your goals, you can combine both processes and achieve bigger and better. Instead of letting your budget kill your big ideas, let your big ideas fill your coffers and grow your budget.

When visualizing your goals beware of the “tiara and crowns” trap! It’s important that we paint an accurate picture of our success. Often we hear of musicians that dedicate so much time to “making it” only to lose it all. They didn’t think about everything that came along with making it, they just saw the tiara and crown. Don’t let the smooth taste fool you; reaching our personal greatness is a stubbornly difficult process. Paint that part of the picture too!

Great Action:

♦ First, write down your goals the way most people do, in sequential list form.

♦ Then take each goal and write a brief 3-5 sentence paragraph about how you will achieve the goal. Include things that may be an obstacle to meeting the goal.

♦ Then come up with solutions, no matter how off the wall they may seem, as long as they’re feasible…list them! This is the visualization/defining process.

♦ Last, work right, work smart, and work hard. See what happens when you define your goals instead of listing them.

Stop viewing your goals as task on a to-do list and start seeing them for what they are, building blocks on your path to personal greatness.

Ding! Pick Up! – The Microwave Effect

Tue, 23 May 2023 18:24:29 GMT

These days “we” want everything to happen quickly, not now but right now!! Social media and YouTube University paints a picture that success is a quick and easy path. All you have to do is buy a course, do this one simple trick, post this type of reel, etc. We would like for everything to operate in a similar manner to our microwaves, from cold to cooked in a manner of minutes. It reminds me of a skit from In Living Color. I know I am telling my age right now, don’t judge me. For my folks that are 80’s babies, you remember what I’m talking about. Because most of my audience is a little younger than me, let me put you on game. In the show, folks were in a little hole in the wall diner, and the waitress would take the customer’s order and the chef would prepare the order fast as all get out. The thing is, HE NEVER GOT THE ORDER RIGHT….EVER! Someone would say, “my name is rose” and he would make JELLO, “what’s your best dish” he would make fresh fish!

The chef was in such a rush to make the dish, he cooked whatever he THOUGHT he heard…and was wrong every time. As leaders on our campus and in our communities, it is imperative that we escape and combat this frame of mind. There is process to winning, and we have to be disciplined enough to stick to the process. When we rush the process, we hear what we want to hear because we are not taking the time to listen. Sometimes we are stretched thin working with 7 organizations and other times we are too busy being a leader to take the time to listen to someone not on the exec board. The Microwave Effect takes many forms but the results are always the same, lousy!

PAY ATTENTION TO THE CHEF ��‍��

Greatness takes time, patience, and effort. Heck forget greatness, just being good takes time, patience, and effort. When we rush our efforts, they often go awry. Failure is not the be all end all. However, when we fail as leaders it is not solely a personal disappointment but one for the group as well. It’s like watching the poll results come in on election night; everyone is happy until their candidate comes out and concedes the race. The people working on the campaign feel the disappointment just as bad as the losing candidate. When we rush through our events, meetings, and lives, we all but concede the race. The Microwave Effect can needlessly sap all the energy and motivation from you and your group. It’s strong enough to stop a movement.

How do we beat the TDE and stay on track? SLOW DOWN!! Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals, then don’t be afraid to adjust and reset as you go. One of the most important things a leader can do is take the time to listen to the people. Listen to the issues and concerns of the communities we are serving and address those issues as best as our ability and missions allow us to. Once we get the order right; our vision correct, we are more than halfway to our goals. Take time out this week to get the order right, listen to what the people want and conduct yourself accordingly.

Don’t lead like this chef cooked ��

4 Major Back 2 School Issues…and The #MajorKeys to Solve Them

Mon, 22 May 2023 19:30:25 GMT

No matter where you are on your college journey, the start of the semester can be overwhelming. You have move in, orientation, getting used to waking up early��. The start of the year is a busy time. Some of you are celebrating a return to freedom after a summer bid at home with your parents (just know they are just as ready for you to leave). Others are taking a deep breath before they start college for the first time, hoping they don’t starve because all they can cook is popcorn. And then you have the seniors… exhaling because it’s their last time enjoying being a student on campus and stressing because they don’t have a job yet! One common theme in starting a semester is the unexpected. Today I want to deal with four of the most common issues students face at the start of a semester and give the #majorkey *DJ Khaled voice* to resolve the issues now and avoid drama in the future.

1. Class is FULL!!

Major Issue – “What!? You have got to be kidding me, I can’t believe that my class is full, I need this class to graduate or stay on my degree plan.”

Major Key – Calm down, your procrastination may not doom you this time. First look and see if the class is offered at a different time or with a different prof. If that fails, pay a visit to your favorite advisor, in person. Have your story ready because they’ll want to know what took you so long to sign up. With some luck your problem is solved here and you get an exemption to enroll in the course.

For those still facing closed doors it’s time to go straight to the prof. It never hurts to ask (unless your school policy prohibits it) if the prof has room to open another spot on the roll. If the prof is feeling generous you’re set. If the final answer is ‘no’ and the class is not urgent, use the opportunity to take an elective or double dip in your major/minor reqs – always find the silver lining. If the class is urgent, check back in with your advisor and see if there is an alternate you can take in its place. In the future, plan ahead of time and sign up for the popular classes first. It’s best to have at least two versions of your schedule prepared in case a class fills before you get to it. Bonus tip, see if there is something you can do to gain early access to scheduling. Some campuses have Honor Colleges, themed resident halls, or early admission access that can help you navigate the hustle and bustle of scheduling classes.

2. Last Year Wasn’t so Great… Do I Belong Here?

Major Issue – Last semester was hard as H-E-Double Hockey Sticks and I’m not sure I’m cut out for college.

Major Key – First, breathe! It’s okay. We all make mistakes. Heck, I had a 1.5 semester and if I can overcome that, you can overcome anything! Mistakes will make reaching your goals more challenging but not impossible. Take the first few days before classes start and evaluate where you got off track, identify strategies and resources to help you start strong and finish strong, then WRITE DOWN SEMESTER GOALS FOR:

Amount of time you will spend studying
Amount of time you will spend meeting with profs in difficult classes
Your target GPA
How often you will get tutoring/support
How you will celebrate once you meet your goals

Next, post these goals in a place where you can see them every day. It is also a good practice to share your goals with a mentor or peer you feel will hold you accountable to the goals you set. Having an accountability partner was my greatest asset in college and has helped me tremendously in life. In the future, remember that you are a student first and the main goal for attending college is to graduate!! Everything should be planned around your academic focus, not the other way around. Also, no one wants you to fail, there are plenty of resources available to help you succeed academically and more often than not they are free (writing labs, tutoring, office hours, peer reviews, etc.)! The catch is that you can’t wait until the last minute. CREATE THE HABIT OF TACKLING YOUR ASSIGNMENTS EARLY, REVIEWING AT LEAST ONCE, AND GETTING FEEDBACK – EVEN WHEN YOU DO WELL.

3. My Roommate Sucks!!

Major Issue – My roomie is not my bestie and by not my bestie, I mean an evil spawn of foolery and shannagins!

Major Key – I think most students have or will have some type of disagreement with their roommate at one point or another. It’s bound to happen so don’t feel bad if and when it happens. How you deal with the conflict should be your focus. Before you go to your RA and demand a trade, try actually speaking to your roommate. Conflict resolution is a valuable life skill and if its safe to do so, I encourage you to have challenging conversation with your roomie. Whatever the issue is, it can normally be resolved in a win/win situation that requires some communication and minimal compromise from both parties involved.

Sleeping habits, boo-thangs (aka significant others), food, cleanliness, and privacy are the most fussed about issues amongst roommates. Taking the time to actually discuss and fill out the Roommate Contract BEFORE you get settled in will save you time, headaches, and from you waking up to your roommate playing world of war craft in full armor at 2am on a Tuesday. Set guidelines early and review them as often as needed, especially when there is change of life status; i.e. Getting boo’d up, joining a fraternity/sorority, starting a job, etc. In the future, don’t be quick to room with your best friend, it can be overwhelming to hang out with and then have to live with the same person day in and day out. That level of familiarity can lead to burn out. Conversely, don’t leave your living arrangements up to chance either. If you can, try to room with someone who has a similar major, social life, and study habits. Some campus’ have apps that match folks together like a dating app. Be honest about who you are now, not who you want to be!

4. I Just Miss My Mommy … I’m Mean I Just Missed My KNEE??

Major Issue – You miss home, home cooked meals, your bed at home, your annoying sibling at home, the house rules that used to get on your nerves at home, and even the animated cartoon with Rhianna Home.

Major Key – Being homesick happens. Stop fronting and embrace it. Call your parents and let them know you miss them. They might drop a few dollars in your account.

*Note to readers: please do not manipulate your parents love for a few dollars in your account. If you broke then fix your pockets; word to SchoolBoy Q!!*

Whether you are a freshman or a 6th year senior, missing your parents is a natural and healthy emotion. Don’t tell anyone, but I would shed a few tears every time I left to go back to school. My family was just tight like that. It is important to deal with your emotions in a positive and effective way. Joining an organization, participating in study groups, and organizing a pot luck, are great ways to get a sense of family and community on your campus. Joining groups that connect with you culturally, ideologically, or with similar hobbies or interest can help you feel more at home on campus. Getting involved on campus helps to make it feel more like home and can anchor you to the place where you’ll be spending the next few years of your life.

In the future it’s good to plan your trips home for the semester. Not too often but find a number that gives you room to grow but still a break to look forward to. This way you know when you will see them. It’s all mental and this trick works every time! Also, get your parents to make your favorite meal and then freeze it. When you are really missing home, thaw it out and enjoy it when you are missing home or having a tough day. It won’t be exactly the same but it will give you a quick fix until your next visit home. There is a difference between missing home and depression. If you can’t tell the difference, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Go speak to the many resources on your campus to maintain and improve your mental health. Don’t be embarrassed about your emotions, surround yourself with people that can empower you to manage them!

These 4 Major Issues can be a lot to deal with and can get your semester off to a rough start. Hopefully these #majorkeys will help you navigate through them so you can get back making #LEADERSHIPAVERB.

Make Summer Count: 7 Tips to Maximize Your Summer Experiences

Fri, 19 May 2023 19:41:57 GMT

Congratulations to all the recent grads, YOU MADE IT!! There are some big changes coming up for you next semester. So the team here at Chris C Speaks came up with 7 tips to help you #makesummercount so you will be ready for your next step! The first step is realizing that #leadershipisaverb so that means what you do (the actions you take) this summer will help to prepare for your next step after high school, whether it’s high school, college, entering the workforce, starting a business, or something all together different. You may not know it yet, but how you spend your summer will either set you up to run the next stage of life or get run off it!

1 – Read a book for growth AND for fun – yes that means you have to read two books!!

I used to only read books for fun; stuff I was interested in or something that was about to be turned in to movie. Then I went on a kick where I only read a book that was going to increase my net worth. SMH there is power in balance. Now I read for both growth and pleasure. The point is to keep reading and learning. You can learn just as much from a post-apocalyptic read as you can a self-help book. #readersareearners Just know that the more you get used to reading, the better prepared you will be for those college courses next semester, learning company policies, or starting a business. Full Disclosure: Leviathan and The Elements of Style (required reading on a lot of college campuses) or corporate disclosures might still be a tough read.

2 – Prioritize Service

3 – Practice a Real World Skill You Hate

4 – Write a letter!

5 – Take a road trip

6 – Find a new place to eat

7 – Find your Big Bad Wolf

What are looking forward to doing this summer?

The Joys of Greek Life

Wed, 17 May 2023 23:41:28 GMT

I asked some friends about their #greeklife experience and their responses were awesome! All of these folks can be considered old heads (no offense) and sometimes it’s good to hear from people that can offer a long-term perspective.

Why did You Go Greek?

“I wanted to join because I wanted to create a legacy. To be part of something bigger than myself that would remain constant throughout the years of my life.” – Ashanti

“I joined to be a part of something on campus and was fortunate to be part of a chapter that held the same beliefs I do.” – Jennifer

“No one in my family had gone to college so I had no clue about Greek Life. My English TA happened to wear a shirt from a Greek event and the conversation that resulted inspired me to have a similar experience” – Steve

“I joined because I wanted to center myself around women who were ambitious, tenacious, and had a strong desire to build relationships based on sisterhood” – Chanty

“I joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. because I was impressed by the fortitude of our founders and the impact they were able to make in their communities at such a young age.” – C. Prater

“I saw about 500 beautiful girls at Rush Week when I was freshman! After that, I knew I had to be a part of Greek Life!” – Chad

“I love when people ask me this!! I joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc b/c of it’s 5 point programmatic thrust (economic development, educational development, international awareness & involvement, political awareness & involvement, and physical & mental health.” – Eboni

“My mentor in H.S. was an Alpha, I wanted to be just like him! I ended up pledging Omega but his influence guided me to Greek Life” – Marcus

Why did you choose your specific org?

“I chose my specific org because in the end the level of acceptance of those who are different from the masses drew me in. I’ve never been like everyone else so that was kind of important.” – Ashanti

“The opportunity to carry on that legacy and stand on the shoulders of the giants that wore crimson and cream before me is why I joined my organization.” – C. Prater

“My sorority was always active on campus and in the community. They had a presence that stood out amongst the rest.” – Chanty

I grew up doing a lot of community service particularly in the political field but in the other areas that Delta focuses on so it was naturally where I felt I belonged.” – Eboni

“I went to several events for different frats for about two semesters. Eventually, I found myself leaning towards a particular group. From there it was a matter of comfort. Joining SAE was awesome.” – Chad

“I wanted to be a part of a chapter that was really active on campus and in the community. Omega Psi Phi fit the bill.” – Marcus

“When I was in my Econ class and realized every guy in my group was in the same frat and we all got along great, I had to see what the connection was all about.” – Steve

What is your most memorable experience?

“As for the most memorable experience, there are too many too count, but I was blessed to get to travel because of leadership within my sorority. Attending a Panhellenic conference in Atlanta and participating in leadership training at Purdue with Greeks from all over the country for a week were definitely highlights.” – Jennifer

“When I led my first chapter meeting as president. I was so nervous but it was a great feeling!” – Steve

“My fondest memories came in my toughest times when me and two other brothers (Terrance Penn and Bryan Ware) routinely sacrificed our individual wants & wishes for the betterment of us all.” – C. Prater

“My most memorable experience was taking a road trip to the Atlanta Greek Picnic.” – Chanty

“When our chapter provided Christmas gifts for 5 families in Nashville. When we delivered those gifts and watched the families open them, all of us were crying like babies.”Chad

“My most memorable experience was my first yard show. Only because it really hit home just how true the fish bowl effect really is.” – Ashanti

“My most memorable experience was going to my very first national convention. Seeing sooo many women who looked like me, calling me Soror & doing Delta’s business…..aaaahhhhh, it brought tears of joy to my eyes.” – Eboni

“My first road trip with the bruhs to a convention was crazy! We learned so much about each other and really made lifetime memories on that trip. And we got so lost we went 70 miles out of the way, lol!” – Marcus

What advice would you give your younger self before joining and after?

“Before joining, I would advise my younger self to not take myself so seriously. Allow this time to be a learning experience and a chance to build bridges but be prepared to have fun. After joining, I would advise my younger self to take it all in, dive head first into the service and even further into the fun. Be just responsible enough to stay on top of my grades and not get into any unintentional trouble. Meet people, remember names, build relationships and grow.” – Ashanti

“I would tell my younger self to get a routine with my studies and classes before I joined, cause I struggled to find that balance while pledging. I would tell my neo self to do something outside the frat, like join another organization. It’s good to get different perspectives and it helps increase the brand of the chapter.” – Marcus

“My advice would be to make the most of everyday and if at all possible, depending on the campus, live in the chapter house at least one year. That’s when I got to really know my sisters. Also, make the most of any leadership opportunities that arise. It’s the best training you can get!” – Jennifer

“I would tell my younger self to go to as many community service events as I did socials. If you have a chapter with 120 members at the social but only 11 at the service event, you know what you’re getting into! After joining I would tell myself to take pride in my work and my letters. IF you are going to wear the letters, do the work.” – Chad

Share your answers to the question!! But most importantly be a resource to your chapter and your campus. If you need help making that happen let me know…. The New Norma l might be what your chapter needs!

5 Tips to Rock Out Your Next Virtual Meeting

Sun, 14 May 2023 23:48:10 GMT

Look this COVID-19 is serious business. It is impacting families, industries, and communities all over the world. While most of the impact has created challenges that have made most of us want to punch That Rona in the throat, not all of it has been negative. Some of us have had more time to spend with our families, we’ve learned we can party with 156K people from around the world from the comfort of our couch (Shout out to @dnice), and we’ve also learned that a lot of those meetings with not so secretly thought could be emails………REALLY COULD BE EMAILS!! We also have evolved from the dreaded conference call to the now loathed virtual meeting. I feel your pain. I just had to sit through my 10yr old son’s Zoom Meeting with 60 of his friends that was a disaster!!! So here are 5 Tips to be more efficient and impactful on your next virtual meeting:

Have an Agenda – “Duh, Chris! We have those in our face to face meetings” I am sure you do, but that’s not the type of agenda I’m talking about. Yes you need to be organized with an agenda and structured meeting, but I want you to have an agenda as well. What message are you trying to convey with every virtual meeting. For some communities and impacted individuals, times are hard a hell and mad stressful. You can be a calming force in their lives. How you come across in your virtual meeting should be a reflection of the energy you want your team to recieve. Calm, energetic, hopeful, focused, driven, whatever superaltive you want to throw in is fine, just embody it. Being organized, having a plan, and operating with the end in mind help make virtual meetings so much better.
Know the Tool – Please know how to use the virtual meeting tool you are using. There is nothing more frustrating during a virtual meeting than when the host doesn’t know how to mute the crowd or unmute themselves! We can see the panick in your eyes! You don’t have to be a superuser or certified Zoom Technician to be proficient with virtual meetings. Having a solid understanding of what you want to accomplish, technically and logistically, in your meeeting is a great start. It allows you to practice using the tools that are most relevant to you for that next meeting. as your comfort level grows, so will your efficiency and curiosity. It’s ok to ask for help or create a “Best Practices” list for your tool as you likely have folks participating from different comfort levels. The only safe assumption is that there is that you can’t please everybody, so focus on doing the most good. Know how to use the basics of the tool and what it looks like and how it operates from the users perspective will empower you to be a resource and not a last resort for your next virtual meeting.
Sprinkle in Some Normal – During challenging times and times of transition any semblance of normal or routine is helpful. This is one of the reasons why the USO tour was created to help soldiers during WWII get a taste of normal. COVID-19 is not WWII, but it is throwing folks out of their routine left and right!! Add any routine/normal activities that you do in your classroom and meetings. If you normally have an exit/entry ticket, figure out how to set that up virtually and make it happen. If there is typically a quirk or trait that a student/peer displays during your time together, discuss it with them and highlight it in meeting. Anything you can to remind folks that the world is still spinning Rona or no Rona, is helpful. We always open our meetings with an activity called, “Man,that’s crazy!” where we share an outrageous story about our presentations or recent travels, it always provides a good laugh. I’ll be glad to have material for “Man, that’s crazy!” again ��
Check-in – This one is simple but needs to be intentional. How are your people feeling???? Often times we don’t make room for emotional intelligence and well being in our meetings. We to thangs to do!! But now, more than ever, that “how you doing?” questions needs to followed by encouragement to answer openly and honestly and silence. Give folks room to express and explore how they feel. Here are some tips to Dodge That Rona Drama .
Have Fun!! – do not let your meeting end without having a little fun! Whether you begin/end with a dad joke (@kevonstage has some great ones) or share a funny story about things you thought you’d never miss about work, but COVID-19 changed your mind, have a little fun. Bring a little levity to your virtual meetings when possible.
BONUS – Keep it VIP – Everybody can’t be in the VIP and everybody doesn’t need to attend every virtual meeting. It’s great to keep the team informed and on the same page but providing access to information that isn’t relevant is a sure fire way to have disengaged participants and distracted chat rooms. Keeping your numbers as small as possible allows for a more intimate vibe and it makes it easier to manage. It also helps to keep information where it needs to be and allows you to be more nuanced in your meetings. This may also allow you to get to know students/peers better than you did pre-That Rona!!

Crazy thing….this best practices don’t have to stop once you start meeting in person!! Who’da thunk it?!

Yall stay safe, wash ya hands (sing the Thong song to make sure you wash long enough) and STAY. AT. HOME. if you can. We are all essential, so let’s work together to get this under control. Remember #leadershipisaverb, even in the virtual world.

Winning At Virtual Learning – Student Edition

Fri, 12 May 2023 23:52:15 GMT

Things are different, and right now, virtual learning is the new normal for some. It’s different but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Here are some tips to help you navigate virtual learning so that you can succeed no matter how you are interacting with your teachers.

CREATE A SPACE for learning – if possible this should be somewhere that doesn’t serve a dual purpose like eating or watching TV…and by No means should not be your bed!! It should be a chair with a straight back and as comfortable as possible. It should also include a work space, room for you to be able to write and take notes and put your materials. There is still value in writing notes over typing them, studies show it helps most folks remember information more efficiently and accurately.

BE ENGAGED – whether you are experiencing live instruction or watching a video, be engaged. It’s ok to laugh at jokes or follow instructions to raise your hand or repeat after the instructor. If there is a chat section that allows it, let a teacher now if a point they made was interesting or confusing or if you didn’t quite catch what they said. The more you participate in your education, the more you get out of it. Take advantage of breakout rooms, partner discussions, and group work. That engagement and conversation is what helps to solidify ideas and concepts into your brain.

COMMUNICATE – Communicate often and early. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!! You’re at the crib, but you are still going to be held accountable for all the work and information as if you were on campus. So, just like you should be doing if you were on campus, don’t wait til the last minute to ask for assistance or share that you’re having an issue. Understand when you teacher or professor is available for questions, what their preferred method of communication is, and USE IT!!

MOVE AROUND – in between classes and during lunch, step away from your space. Walk around the house, step outside for fresh air, grab a drink of water, use the restroom…anything to reset your point of view and your frame of mind. When we sit in one place for too long it becomes more difficult to focus. Moving around for a few moments helps to get your blood pumping and reset your brain. Even during instruction, its ok to get up and stretch or do a few squats, as long as its not disruptive or distracting to you and your classmates.

MASTER THE TECH – My guy Chu, Co-founder of Coolspeak says this all the time. You have to be comfortable with the technology so its not a barrier to your performance! Learn how to raise your hand, mute your mic, share you screen, add an attachment to an email, NOT REPLY ALL, and navigate the screens, etc. You want to be comfortable with whatever your district is using. Zoom, webex, schoology, blackboard, slack, etc.

Culture is NOT A COSTUME!!!

Thu, 11 May 2023 00:01:16 GMT

You would think that by now folks would know better than to use culture as a costume. Sadly….students and adults are still finding themselves in hot water over using blackface, culturally insensitive costumes, and themed events that further marginalize underrepresented demographics.

In recent years there have been several examples of students and faculty learning that cultures/stereotypes don’t make good costumes. Megyn Kelly, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and a host of politicians are some of the most recent high-profile folks to receive backlash over using culture for a costume. A while back, this teacher in Alabama came under scrutiny for his attempt at being Kanye, which would have gone over ok if he hadn’t bothered to do it in blackface. So because I know it’s time for organizations to have Halloween mixers and parties, please do it right! Don’t ruin your reputation, your organization’s rep, and demonstrate cultural ignorance. Here are three ways to make sure you get it right this Halloween.

Be Smart

Ask yourself this question: Does this represent me and the values of my org? We’ve all heard enough public apologies to know exactly what to expect when someone steps to the podium after a public scandal. The first line is always, “these actions don’t represent me/my character/my organization/etc.” You have time to think about your actions. If they don’t represent your values and will put you and your organization in a negative light, don’t do it! You signed up to be a leader on your campus, embrace the responsibility that comes along with that. Don’t volunteer to take that L .

Be Honest

Not using culture as a costume is not about being politically correct or having a sense of humor. If people are offended by the stereotypical images of their culture being used as a parody or joke, it’s not about hypersensitivity. It’s much bigger than that. How populations or cultures are viewed and treated has been a hot-button topic for at least 150 years. If you can’t see the issue, your perspective may be skewed by your privilege. A good way to think about it is this way, would you be comfortable wearing the costume in a room full of strangers (knowing all those strangers represent or support the group you’re misrepresenting)? Also, it just ain’t funny! It’s not funny to present a caricature of a culture or group of people. The current unrest in our country has highlighted the pain some folks are feeling around simply existing in America, don’t exacerbate it.

Be Aware

If you didn’t know, there is a national conversation going on about race, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation/gender identification. It’s important that we understand the current cultural climate of our campus, community, and country. I always encourage students to have dialogue about subjects that broaden their perspective and wearing culturally based Halloween costumes is the least effective way to start that dialogue. You have enough to worry about (gpa, events, deadlines, graduation, repaying student loans after graduation) to jeopardize your collegiate experience with a costume marginalizing a culture or population. Also, be aware of your blind spots. You could be cool with folks from other cultures and have a level of comfort that you all understand and agree upon. Everyone else may not understand or appreciate those relationships. Don’t just not use culture as a costume because it has the possibility to get you in trouble. Don’t do it because you understand it's inappropriate. Don’t do it because you care about the experiences of your peers even when they don’t directly impact you. This is an amazing time to be alive, be on the right side of history.

Be Smart. Be Honest. Be Aware. Have a great time!!!

At this point in the game, there is no excuse for using culture as a prop. You know what it means, you understand that it's wrong, and if you do it you deserve all the smoke that comes along with it!! Handle yourself accordingly.

p.s. Send all snickers and Reese’s cups to me cause they’re nasty and I don’t want you to suffer.

Conference Hype!! Pt. 1: How to turn attending a conference into moments that matter.

Sat, 06 May 2023 00:05:59 GMT

One of the dope things about being a student leader is that you get perks! I will never forget how cool it was to have an office as the NPHC President at Texas State University. You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t the man; even though it was just a cubicle in a shared space in the student center. Another great perk was the ability to attend various conferences and events. Conference season is a great time for student leaders. It often means an opportunity for scholars to travel, stay at a hotel, maybe get a nice meal, and have an engaging social experience. They also get a chance to hear a few great speakers, attend thought provoking workshops, possible compete amongst their peers and meet students from across the country. It is truly a wonderful experience. But there was a consistent challenge, I would go to a conference, get fired up, and then…….nothing!

I was attending conferences but didn’t always have much to show for it, outside of a t-shirt and business cards I was never going to use. Have you ever felt like you didn’t get the most out of your time at a conference or felt unsure about how to make your time at a conference count? When I started doing these three things, my times at conferences started to help me make an impact on my campus as a student leader and prepare me for my career. These things are so crucial that top executives and business people live by these three conference rules.

Network with a Purpose – Why are you attending the conference? What is your goal? Who do you need to meet? These are the type of questions you need to ask yourself BEFORE you get to the conference. The answer to these questions will help determine how you network at the conference. If you are at the conference to hear a great speaker to bring to back to your campus, be sure to attend both their keynote and their workshop, so you get to see how they interact with different types of crowds. Are you looking for a great community service idea or event, be sure make that the topic of your conversations. Before you go, know. Know who will be on a panel or presenting a workshop and then shoot your shot. Email the person you want to meet, let them know what you want to talk to them about, let them know when you will be at the conference, and then ask for a meeting. Connect with them on LinkedIn or Instagram, let them know why you are looking forward to connecting with them or hearing their work. When you get a business card from a colleague, be sure to write a note on the back about the conversation you had or a reason for a follow up. That way when you reach out after the conference you have more to say than, “nice to meet you.” You can also create a digital business card on sites like Linq or Dot. This way you can exchange information digitally and be a saved contact in their phone. This eliminates handing out business cards that may get left in a hotel room or random pocket. You’d be amazed what a little initiative like that can do for you. Another pro tip is to see if you can be a part of the conference. Do you have experience that can add value to a workshop, panel discussion, or table talk? Is there a colleague at another school or organization that you can partner with to present a workshop? This is the type of thought process that allows you to maximize your time at a conference.

Plan your Sessions in Advance – You’ve been there, we all have. You hear a fire keynote and then you look at your friends and ask “what session you going to?” Or you want to go to the keynote’s workshop but of course its full. Now you end up in a random session that isn’t relevant to you or your group. Don’t be that person! Conferences post the workshop schedule for a reason. Most conferences try to offer a wide variety of workshops to hit as many demographics and meet as many needs as possible. With such a wide array of topics and experts at your disposal, it can be a little overwhelming. That’s why you should plan ahead. Create a schedule that allows you to make the most of your time in front of and with experts in your field. Come with questions or concerns so that you can be as specific as possible during question and answer sessions. Being intentional about the sessions you want to attend also allows your group to multiply its efforts. You can divide and conquer so you get the most information from the conference. While it might be cool to attend every session with you BFF, its not the most efficient process. One person can learn about Roberts Rules of Order, while another learns about delegation, and someone else getting ideas on vendors or community service projects. Another pro tip for planning your sessions in advance is to have a plan A and an alternate. Workshops and sessions can reach capacity quickly, if you know what you want to attend you might be able to beat the crowd. But, if you don’t, you are prepared and have an alternate session planned so you don’t end up sitting through 45 to 60 minutes of information that is not relevant to you or your org.

Follow up! – So you put in all that work to meet your favorite presenter and then you don’t follow up with them after the conference? Congratulations, you played yourself! The real work starts after the conference is over. That’s when you get to capitalize on all the great ideas and practice all the skills you acquired. It’s also when most folks drop the ball. Once you leave the conference you want to follow up with a few people:

Peers – let them know something you gained from meeting them, thank them for their time or investment in you, and get their permission to keep them in the loop with your progress. Also start developing that relationship as they may be a future partner for events, a great sounding board for ideas, or your next co-presenter at the conference next year!
Targets – the folks you really wanted to meet and it worked… thank them asap, show them how it benefits them to stay in touch with you, and let them how they helped you! This can be a connection to an internship, scholarship, or real world experience in your field.
Conference Planners – Thank them for a great conference. Let them know which speakers and sessions you enjoyed the most and then ask how you can be involved in the next one. You never know, you could be getting an email from someone saying that they really want to meet you.

Don’t leave your conference experience to chance. Successful experiences don’t just happen, they are planned because #leadershipisaverb! Also, when you show your campus or company that you are using your time at the conference effectively they are more likely to sponsor you to attend another one! What are you going to do to make sure you get the most out of the next conference you attend?