This past week, I had the amazing opportunity to keynote the Global WiSTEM Conference in Dubai. (Special thanks to Julie Kantor for coordinating this killer event).

At the event, I spoke about having #nofear, and what it really means to not just get into STEM, but to stay in STEM as technology continues to change. On of the comments I received after the speech was that what I said didn't just apply to STEM, but to any personal or professional endeavor. A number of people asked me to blog about it. You never know how a speech is going to be received- especially in a room of 150 incredibly impressive and successful women from all over the Middle East and the US. But, in this case, fears were quickly set aside. This is what I took away;

The challenges that women face in the workplace, and in life are the same, regardless of which part of the world you reside in. We are all seeking access to a community of other women, like us, who don't just understand what we are going through, but have the power to help us move forward through it. When we have #nofear, we can elevate ourselves from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Within minutes I was engaged in a number of different dialogues with women who have created companies, networks and opportunities to help others succeed. (And, they all love the WLG) These groups, networks and companies have been quietly growing and driving results. And it's working! The number of success stories for individual women was overwhelming. The interest in working together to continue to both mentor and sponsor success was incredible. Every single women who was in the room had to have walked away feeling unstoppable.

There is a worldwide somewhat-secret support system that women want other women to know about. It all starts when you demonstrate that you have #nofear in your carrerr efforts. These other amazing women find you. And, when you raise your hand and ask someone to help you succeed, people will come out of the woodwork to help you. Once you have access to all of these amazing women, you network and your successes (personal and professional) are limitless.

The slides I prepared were a perfect set-up for this big reveal.

Whenever I speak, I pay a good bit of attention to what gets shared on social media, when people take photos of slides, and when they are nodding their head. I call these #connection points. This speech was no different. I looked for the points that resonated the most. The top #connectionpoints from my speech included;

Opportunity doesn't knock: It hides and waits for you to have the courage to come look for it. Find it, and you win.

It hides and waits for you to have the courage to come look for it. Find it, and you win. Technology Will Continue to Change - Get involved and stay involved. Embrace change. 30 years ago we didn’t email. 5 years ago we didn’t "Snap" and last year, people still drove their cars.

- Get involved and stay involved. Embrace change. 30 years ago we didn’t email. 5 years ago we didn’t "Snap" and last year, people still drove their cars. Mentors matter: You need 2: One older and one younger. It's the only way to survive with success.

You need 2: One older and one younger. It's the only way to survive with success. Re-Evaluate: Every time you stop to reevaluate your successes and losses, you win. It's never to late.

Every time you stop to reevaluate your successes and losses, you win. It's never to late. Have #NoFear: When you help others, the world helps you. There is a community out there who wants you to succeed. Take the chance and know that you have big fans who won't let you fail.

At the end of the event I left with a number of really strong new connections and a refreshed set of inspiration about the women of today, tomorrow and the opportunity for global growth in all industries.

If you have questions about your potential. Don't. Take a chance. Have #nofear. You will see, it will work out. And if you don't believe me, here are a few other articles that can help you out.

P.S. Are you, or do you know a woman with #badass potential? Nominate them or yourself at the Women's Leadership Group (This option was added after a number of requests from people reading this article on where they can go to get started).







