5 Things I Learned (the hard way) at Converge

I just got back from the ICF Converge conference, and WOW! I had expected to pick up some new ideas, but what I didn’t expect was to come home with a list of lessons that were equal parts insightful and humbling.

Enjoy!

1. You can survive embarrassing yourself. I mean, really embarrassing yourself.

Not the “toilet paper on your shoe” kind – the cringey, make a bad impression in front of people you respect kind.

I went to a session on branding with Lisa Madaschi. Her neuroscience-based take on branding? Fascinating. We just happen to have different views on niche.

I got up to share mine… and then nerves took over. What I meant as a contribution came out sounding cringingly argumentative – maybe even self-promoting.

It was mortifying.

I did follow up with a message to her on LinkedIn, owned it completely, and apologized. She was so gracious about the whole thing. 

Here’s what I learned: I can survive embarrassing myself – even in front of people I deeply respect. Even when it feels like my reputation might’ve just taken a hit. 

And if making an impact is one of your core values too, you have to survive it. For me, that means forgiving myself quickly and getting back to the work that actually matters.

2. AI is fascinating – and completely distracting.

Let me be clear: I’m not anti-AI. It’s important to stay informed.

But at Converge, it seemed like every other session was about AI.

And while the tech is fascinating, the emphasis was felt way out of proportion to what coaches actually need to grow their businesses. Just like social media, it takes over the conversation – and pulls focus from what’s really important.

AI, like social media, is a tool. It should serve your strategy, not become your strategy. Otherwise, you end up chasing what’s new instead of focusing on what actually helps you reach your goals.

Sustainable growth still comes from strategic clarity, connection, and consistency.   

3. A renewed empathy for the awkwardness of networking.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been the “new kid in the cafeteria.” Usually, I walk into events knowing the culture, the players, and at least a dozen people I can wave at from across the room.

But Converge? It was different.

Global scale. Thousands of coaches. And the focus was squarely on the practice of coaching – not the business of it, which is where I tend to live.

For the first two days, I felt like a fish out of water. Then it hit me: this is what my clients feel when I encourage them to attend a networking event or start putting themselves out there.

That experience deepened my empathy. The risk they take isn’t theoretical – it’s real. And the courage it takes to show up in an unfamiliar space deserves to be celebrated every time.

4. When you sponsor an event, have a Plan A… and then about four backups.

I sponsored the coworking space at Converge – great concept, fun design, all the right intentions.

Except… there was no signage pointing people to it.

Combine that with me feeling a bit out of my depth and still cringing from my earlier “branding moment”? Plan A fizzled out fast.

So I created a Plan B (and C… and D). I jumped into morning learning circles, visited sponsor booths, introduced myself to coaching schools, and focused on one thing – connection.

Because of the pivot, I ended up having real conversations, making new contacts, and gaining valuable insights.

The lesson? Sponsorship is a tactic – connection is the strategy.

5. Rephrase instead of repeat.

During her opening keynote, Heather Hansen shared a simple communication tip that instantly stuck:

When you can’t understand someone – especially if they have an accent – instead of asking them to repeat what they said, ask them to rephrase it.

It seems like such a small thing, but it completely changes the energy of the conversation. It removes the awkwardness, helps both people feel understood, and opens the door for genuine connection.

Any tip that helps others feel more understood? It’s a keeper!

Converge, in a Nutshell

The most valuable lessons don’t come from the slides – they come from the awkward moments, the honest conversations, and the magic that happens when you have the courage to keep showing up.