P2P

20 P E E R T O P E E R : I L T A ' S Q U A R T E R L Y M A G A Z I N E | F A L L 2 0 2 4 to sessions and meals, talked when others talked to me, and briefly attended a couple of networking events. I don't remember many specific details about the week. However, I do recall seeing a director at our firm, Julie Brown, being announced as the incoming co-chair for ILTACON 2019 and one of her analysts, Skylar Branstool, volunteering as a session coordinator. I vividly remember thinking about how I could never do either of those things. I shared those sentiments with Skylar. He told me I would never know if I didn't try. I had little confidence and felt out of place among the managers, directors, chiefs, and business partners because I knew I had no buying power or influence. But everyone was kind and generous with their time and advice. There was an undeniable positive energy, and I observed camaraderie and knowledge sharing that I didn't expect to see from people in similar roles at organizations that are often competing for the same work. I didn't expand my network that year. I came back with no new connections that I can recall. I can't point to any statement or session that affected me. At first glance, there was no obvious return on the investment for our firm based on my attendance. However, my mindset was different after I attended ILTACON. The energy at ILTACON was infectious. I was inspired by all of the talented people who attended. My eyes had been opened to possible career paths I'd never considered. In the sessions, I realized how little I knew and how much there was to learn. I recognized some common traits in the people I spoke to. They were continuously curious about what they didn't know. They didn't make excuses; they took the initiative to learn and do new things. I realized that if I wanted to change my life and career trajectory, something had to change. I didn't know what to call it at the time, but ILTACON sparked my shift into a growth-minded perspective. In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Carol Dweck defines a growth mindset as the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning. After that first ILTACON, I started creating growth opportunities instead of hoping those opportunities would come. I pushed myself forward even when I couldn't pinpoint where that growth would lead. I found a project management certification that didn't require significant previous project management experience (COMPTIA Practical Innovation Takes Center Stage ILTACON 2024 showcased a shift from AI hype to pragmatic implementation. Firms are focusing on governance, integration, and specific use cases. Also in this issue - lessons for innovators from the discovery of a 2,492 carat diamond. Read more at fringelegal.com

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