Improving Your Skills

Written By Allison Pollard

Photo by Martin Linkov

I am a big believer in continuous improvement, and as such, I am often thinking about how to improve my own skills.  I find myself speaking in front of groups more and more frequently, and I sometimes feel like I am not focused enough on my audience and delivering an effective message because I am too aware of my own feelings and body language.  As such, I recently decided to join Toastmasters after attending a few meetings as a guest.  While I have stood up at the end of the previous meetings and given a few imprompu comments, today was the first time I really participated in the meeting--I was one of the Table Topics speakers.  Much to my surprise, the Ah Counter counted zero "ums, uhs, or ahs" from me, and I was voted the Best Table Topics Speaker!  I look forward to attending more meetings and improving my speaking skills

Allison Pollard

Allison Pollard is a coach, consultant, and trainer who brings the power of relationship systems intelligence to go beyond tasks, roles, and frameworks to create energy for change. She engages with people and teams in a down-to-earth way to build trust and listen for signals to help them learn more and improve. Allison focuses on creating alignment and connection for people to solve business problems together. Her experience includes working with teams and leaders in energy, retail, financial, real estate, and transportation industries to help improve their project/product delivery and culture. Allison currently volunteers as program director for Women in Agile’s mentorship program. Her agile community focus is championing new voices and amplifying women as mentors and sponsors for the next generation of leaders. Allison earned her bachelor’s degrees in computer science, mathematics, and English from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a foodie, and proud glasses wearer. Allison is a prolific speaker at professional groups and international conferences, including Scrum Gatherings and the Agile Alliance Agile20xx conferences. Allison is co-owner of Helping Improve LLC.

http://www.allisonpollard.com
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