Every Workshop is an Audition

There is something I heard many years ago that never left me. I don't know who said it, but it shaped so much of how I think about showing up. And it goes something like this: every time you open your mouth, you're auditioning for your next role. Can you imagine that? Every time you open your mouth, you're auditioning. And in change and transformation, that's at least 50% of your time. 50% of your time, you are auditioning in front of people who could be your next sponsor, your hiring manager, or even your future client. And that could mean A promotion, a new gig, or higher status. So if that's the case, how are you showing up? Because the way you show up can make or break your credibility and influence, regardless of your technical skills. We've all been there. The room goes flat, people are half listening, as Strong voice hijacks the conflict— the conversation, or worse, you don't get the outcome that you were hoping for. The workshop ends, but momentum stalls, and suddenly your program feels like it's slipping away piece by piece. In change and transformation, workshops aren't just another meeting or a calendar filler. They are where traction is either built Or lost. And if you're not designing them with influence and authority in mind, you're missing on one of the biggest levers you have as a professional.