This is what happened, when I accepted an invitation to give a conference talk
Every now and then, I am lucky to coach a gem like Boukje.
As a paediatric dentist (children’s dentist), Boukje had accepted an invitation to speak at a dental hygienist’s conference. Her goal: having impact with her story.
Learn here what happened, before during and after. How giving this presentation affected her as a professional and if her goal was attained.
PWI: Can you tell me something about your experience, the run-up, how it felt to be on that large stage and the reactions afterwards?
Boukje: I am so happy that we had our sessions, with some weeks in-between to prepare and that I started to prepare early. Some things needed time to think about and time to sink in. Also finding the right cases to support my presentation took up time. In our sessions we had attention for different things, amongst others elaborate feedback, which gave me confidence.
The last weeks for the presentation I was still busy with it. The framework, finetuning it and I had some worries if I would stay within the time limit. This gave me some stress.
The day of the presentation this stress glided away. The location was beautiful, a big theatre with eventually 450 spectators! I still had some “healthy” nerves, but they did not get into the way of my presentation.
Afterwards, I was proud with myself that I had done it. And the reactions on the day itself, on LinkedIn and the conference evaluation were very positive.
PWI: your mission was to contribute to a right application of the KIMO-directive. Which intention is to improve the oral care for children regarding caries. Did you succeed with this? And how does it feel to contribute to this?
Boukje: I sure hope so! The great thing is that other parties have now approached me to give this presentation. Apparently, more people now think it is important that the reach for this, needs to be increased. Like “spreading the word”. I look forward to doing this and it feels great to be able to draw attention to this and be able to contribute to knowledge and behavioral change of oral care providers. Resulting in even better oral care for children.
PWI: how did you manage to make the KIMO-directive, pretty dry theoretical information, accessible?
Boukje: That is funny. This is one of the first remarks I got from a colleague, a fellow speaker, at the conference. “How smart that you have made a subject that is so dusty like directives, so lively, engaging and visual”.
PWI: speaking at a conference is a different cup of tea as your daily work as a paediatric dentist. How did you experience this?
Boukje: exciting but also fun. To share knowledge is something I really like to do, that is also why I am an internship supervisor for a paediatric dentist trainee.
However, standing on such a big stage needs getting used to. Eventually, I could enjoy it, and it leads to other assignments. The change between care for patients in the chair and this kind of challenges, keeps your working life dynamic and varied.
PWI: so, speaking on this conference has given you, next to keeping your working life dynamic and contributing to improving oral care for children also more visibility as an expert.
Boukje: It sure has.
PWI: what would be your advice for other experts to successfully climb the stage?
Boukje: be well prepared and start in time! I thought it was a fun investment to get professional help. I, therefore, not only paid attention to the content of my presentation, but also the form, presentation-skills and the essence of my message (story, slides, performance). This gives confidence!