In 2012, I was a junior professor at Columbia Law School when I got the call that changed my life.
It was from the United Nations.
They asked me if I could headline the high-profile event and run their first negotiation skills-building summit for women diplomats.
Here’s the catch:
At that time, I was a junior professor at Columbia Law School.
Less than 2 weeks’ notice was only given to me for the talk ‘cause their first choice suddenly canceled.
Truth be told, their first choice was a senior, and had more impressive credentials than mine.
While on the call, self-doubt started to creep in.
I remember thinking,
”Gosh, I haven’t taught diplomats before! I don't even know anything about the UN protocol.”
It didn’t take long ‘til they asked, “Well, can you do it?”
Ignoring the self-doubt, I answered, “Absolutely!”
After all, I still have 10 days. I’ll learn what I don’t know.
I collaborated with a couple of research assistants to get me up to speed.
Not to mention, I studied U.N. mediation manuals and tested out potential exercises.
After less than 2 weeks, I stood at the front of that room and spoke like I’d been there my whole life.
I was 100% driven to make it work, and it did!
The diplomats loved it. They were amazed.
That marked the beginning of a partnership that has lasted for many years.
Today, I’m a world-renowned negotiation trainer for the UN and have trained diplomats from more than 80 nations on negotiation-related subjects alongside my CLS students.
If you’re reading this post and currently struggle with self doubt, I want you to know this:
When in doubt, go all-in on yourself.
It's the risk that rewrote my story, and it'll do the same for you.
It was from the United Nations.
They asked me if I could headline the high-profile event and run their first negotiation skills-building summit for women diplomats.
Here’s the catch:
At that time, I was a junior professor at Columbia Law School.
Less than 2 weeks’ notice was only given to me for the talk ‘cause their first choice suddenly canceled.
Truth be told, their first choice was a senior, and had more impressive credentials than mine.
While on the call, self-doubt started to creep in.
I remember thinking,
”Gosh, I haven’t taught diplomats before! I don't even know anything about the UN protocol.”
It didn’t take long ‘til they asked, “Well, can you do it?”
Ignoring the self-doubt, I answered, “Absolutely!”
After all, I still have 10 days. I’ll learn what I don’t know.
I collaborated with a couple of research assistants to get me up to speed.
Not to mention, I studied U.N. mediation manuals and tested out potential exercises.
After less than 2 weeks, I stood at the front of that room and spoke like I’d been there my whole life.
I was 100% driven to make it work, and it did!
The diplomats loved it. They were amazed.
That marked the beginning of a partnership that has lasted for many years.
Today, I’m a world-renowned negotiation trainer for the UN and have trained diplomats from more than 80 nations on negotiation-related subjects alongside my CLS students.
If you’re reading this post and currently struggle with self doubt, I want you to know this:
When in doubt, go all-in on yourself.
It's the risk that rewrote my story, and it'll do the same for you.
