After reading this, I had so many thoughts it took me 15 hours to organize them.

First, 🔌Stephen is right. I talk to event organizers who say, “I asked [a woman] to speak, and she said she didn’t think she was sufficiently qualified. But when I checked her LinkedIn, she clearly was. Then I asked a guy, and he said he could speak on anything!” 🤦‍♀️

This isn’t exclusive to women, but we see it far more often:

• They believe they’re not qualified (they are).
• They’re too shy or nervous (they just need coaching).
• They wait until they feel 100% ready (they never will with that mindset).
• They just want to “do their job” without public speaking (but that exposure is essential for today’s success).
• They don’t feel they need to be “the face of the company”; they just want to ensure it succeeds (yet “the face” often receives the credit for her work).

We have countless books and “professional development” seminars dedicated to undoing the conditioning that’s led women to this place. But we can work together to change these norms. Here’s my advice:

✅ Apply more often. While some conferences are pay-to-play, apply to the ones where speaking means something. Don’t self-select out.

✅ Get listed as a speaker. Join directories like the Association for Women in Cryptocurrency’s global speaker directory. Be visible wherever you can.

✅ Check your qualifications before saying no. If you’re feeling unqualified, pause and ask a trusted colleague for feedback before turning down an opportunity.

✅ Ask your company to sponsor you as a speaker. Many conferences note that, while they try to invite women, corporate sponsors only send men. Ask your company to put you forward.

✅ Connect with colleagues who speak. Let speakers in your network know you’re interested. Allies like Ari Redbord, Rahul Advani, Ben Lee, and Matthew de la Fuente can open doors and recommend you for panels.

✅ Learn how to moderate well. Good moderators are invaluable. Consider offering to moderate when you apply; it’s a skill that can make or break a panel.

✅ Consider coaching. The right coach can help overcome confidence blocks. Need guidance on where to start? Message me.

Together, we can challenge outdated norms and create a professional landscape that encourages and elevates women’s voices.