Show up. Share out. Speak up.
Six months ago, I was invited to participate on a panel at Tandem Diabetes Care about my life and career as an AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) woman.
Afterward, the moderator sent me a message:
“Can I introduce you to my wife? She's seeking speakers for her health equity series at Sharp Healthcare.”
Her wife had been in the room during the virtual event, as they were working from home. She heard my stories and the answers I offered to live participants who asked various questions.
After the panel was over, she asked her wife, “Who was that woman? We need her voice.”
Fast forward to this morning when I gave a paid hour-long talk to physicians, social workers, and Sharp staff members called:
“How to Advocate for the Silent Generation: Understanding the AAPI Community.”
I was nervous…
I'm not a physician!
This speaking event counted as credits for Sharp team members' continuing education!
There were a couple of times during our email exchanges leading up to this event where I almost tried to back out. I procrastinated on providing my contact with what she needed to get my honorarium and to promote it to their hundreds of internal team members.
“Are you sure they're going to want to hear from me? I own a branding and content marketing agency. I have a podcast about mental health — I'm not a doctor."
“Yes," she reassured me.
“I mean, I can refer you onward to a few experts who'd be able to weigh in with more stats and analytics.”
“We don't want that,” she said. “We want you to tell your story.”
I want to offer two quick tips on how to push through — and why your voice needs to be heard.
You, showing up, is representation.
To believe that something is possible, it helps to see people before you who have achieved what you want. Except sometimes YOU will need to be that person. You will need to be the first. The only. And that's scary, but it's not impossible. That's how progress unfolds. Change takes time. And you can lead the charge.
For more on why your voice matters and how to amplify it, check out Carissa Begonia on LinkedIn (she'll be in an upcoming F*ck Saving Face podcast episode, too.)
You, showing up and showing out, creates a ripple effect.
According to functional MRIs, here's what happens in the brain when you hear a meaningful story:
- Your brain actually syncs up with the narrator
- You develop greater empathy and connection
- You can evolve your belief system and challenge cognitive biases
My presentation today meant that these healthcare practitioners now have greater context for the patients they serve. They have a deeper level of understanding about what their patients need. They know better what to look out for — what pitfalls and what resources they can offer when they need extra help, too.
By stepping outside of my own perceived limitations, I have potentially helped a team of caregivers AND the people they serve.
Whether you're working on bringing a service to your customers or finding your voice or pursuing a personal passion, remember this:
It took 12.8 billion years for you to arrive in this moment now.
You are the culmination of the Universe's wisdom.
And only you can see the sliver of perspective you do —
that is all uniquely yours.
Go on and share it with the world.
