BeyondtheSeat, LLC

Our 2024-25 National Speakers Association (NSA) season kicked off recently. I am honored to serve as Director of Programs for the new year. The kickoff meeting was amazing with my new fellow board members Megan Billnoske, Beth Rohani, Asli Remlinger, Eric Aroca, MAOM and Romeo El Chaer!

Everyone was excited to step into a new year of personal development, networking and collaboration as we introduced members and guests to NSA Houston's vision for the future, combined with collaboration with ICF Houston Chapter represented by Robin Christian, ATD Houston represented by Debbie Richards, and our very own President, Megan Billnoske--truly phenomenal leaders! What a privilege to serve as moderator for the panel discussion.

Join NSA Houston, ICF Houston Chapter, and ATD Houston to be part of this exciting movement. I’m already a member of NSA, ATD and HR Houston.

Are you a speaker and ready to grow as a trainer, coach, facilitator, or keynoter? Seeking a group of likeminded speaking professionals? Ready to learn what's required to launch your speaking business? Reach out to learn more about some of the most professionally forward associations in Houston!

I continue to meet individuals who share they are being called upon to speak more, present more, and represent their company more often, both internally and externally. Greenway Plaza's Toastmasters' club is growing with individuals who realize the importance of being prepared. Ready to continue growing your communication and speaking skills--join us each Thursday, 12 noon. We are an amazing group.

Look who I ran into this past Saturday night at the Toastmasters District 56 Hall of Fame Dinner & Awards Night Celebration--Elizabeth Ruiz, founder of our Greenway Plaza Toastmaster Club.

Here's a special invitation to join us each Thursday, 12 noon - 1:00 pm. We come together to grow our public speaking skills and network with like-minded individuals who are committed to propelling themselves and others to greater professional speaking levels. Look us up. We'll welcome you with open arms.

Never underestimate the value of multigenerational collaborations. Are you taking advantage of the intellectual insight, expertise and diverse lens that young professionals bring to the table? What unites us is greater than what divides us.

Recently facilitated a half-day session with a group of 65 middle-level leaders during their 3-day Leadership Bootcamp. What qualities make you a great leader in your organization, how are you actively upskilling your leadership, what will you leave behind--your leadership legacy? Just a few thought questions discussed during the session.

A huge thank you for all your well wishes on my birthday. I'm blessed to live near my daughter, Colinda, in a great city with great people, and 13,000 restaurants, plenty of traffic and so many other things. I'm blessed to grow my wonderful company, Beyond the Seat, LLC where I'm working to change professional beliefs, behaviors, and mindsets of those who are ready to DO THE WORK.

Everyday is a celebration of peace and gratitude. I'm going for the entire year. Love you all!!!

Photos: Courtesy of Portrait Lovers - Colinda K Images

What a beautiful event this past weekend. A sister bow to entrepreneur, Keda Sharber, a professional film maker and photographer in Houston. She premiered her documentary, UNBOUND, and left us spellbound.

"The notion of living life beyond the expectations and limits of others has been with me for as long as I can remember...", she expressed during her first piece of the UNBOUND puzzle. I encourage everyone to follow Director and Producer Sharber. I see great things. Congrats Keda Sharber.

Continuous follow-up with employees after a great training experience is an effective way of ensuring long-term application of skills and knowledge experienced in the classroom.

Missouri City's Human Resources Department hosted Coffee & Conversation recently for the Aspire training program graduates, where participants, over coffee and doughnuts, talked about their successes, challenges they continue to face and areas for their future development.

A huge thanks to Missouri City for partnering with Beyond the Seat in the facilitation of the Aspire training program and Coffee & Conversation follow up session. These are the organizations and employees that make me love this work.

A successful client engagement over the last four days. Heading home.

Is your "want to" big enough? If so, then it's time to DO THE WORK.

A responsibility to myself and others is to live with purpose and intention. I am particularly pleased when I am able to connect individuals who can grow and benefit from the other party. Do you consistently look for opportunities where you can make introductions between individuals who have a need or can get a question answered over a simple cup of coffee?

There is power in believing that you have the tools to propel yourself forward. I've always considered it my launch pad to further greatness. Too often, we allow our self-talk to slow us down. When we're able to plow through the negative self-talk, there is ALWAYS something greater awaiting us on the other side.