2026-09-01 13:00:39 From Emily Ruetz to Waiting room participants: Thanks for your patience! We'll get going here in just a minute 2026-09-01 13:02:55 From Phillip Leveille to Everyone: Hey there, good morning / afternoon! 2026-09-01 13:17:59 From Ann to Everyone: will slides be available? 2026-09-01 13:19:50 From Karen Rogers - BLM to Everyone: Hell yeah! 2026-09-01 13:20:16 From Emily Ruetz to Everyone: Replying to "will slides be available?": I will follow up with Izabela about the slides. If they do end up being available, they will be in the Knowledge Base item along with the recording 2026-09-01 13:28:14 From denise.m.miller to Everyone: "Will not let the fear be louder than my calling" ❤️ 2026-09-01 13:32:34 From Brooke Serpa to Everyone: I'm not crying, you're crying. 2026-09-01 13:34:04 From Ann to Everyone: So who's with me about writing a book with specifics about "translation"? 🤨 Or is there one already out there? 2026-09-01 13:34:11 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: Great Topic and Speaker. Very relatable to current situation. It is encouraging. 2026-09-01 13:34:48 From Karen Rogers - BLM to Everyone: Rule #1! 2026-09-01 13:34:52 From Liana to Everyone: Amazing speaking ability! 2026-09-01 13:35:14 From Eboni R. to Everyone: Making me cry through my lunch. It's messy lol 2026-09-01 13:38:47 From Amie (she/her) to Everyone: Maybe this is a more general question, but ’d love to know if you have any tips about navigating difficult conversations (confrontations, difficult feedback, or just delivering a perspective that is hard to communicate!) as a newish leader (with partners, with customers, with supervisees or supervisors?) 2026-09-01 13:38:49 From Megan Compton to Everyone: Feel free to come off camera and join us for this virtual discussion time 2026-09-01 13:40:28 From Jennifer Sieverling USGS to Everyone: Maybe this is a more general question, but ’d love to know if you have any tips about navigating difficult conversations (confrontations, difficult feedback, or just delivering a perspective that is hard to communicate!) as a newish leader (with partners, with customers, with supervisees or supervisors?) Skillsoft’s How to Manage Difficult Conversations is an 18‑minute, 7‑video course that teaches managers when and how to initiate tough discussions, manage stress, prepare using a four‑step process, and communicate difficult news with tact and diplomacy. 2026-09-01 13:40:30 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: Awesome topic. 2026-09-01 13:40:32 From Megan | Idaho Fish and Game to Everyone: What advice do you have for newer GIS professionals who like their organization and it's mission supported by GIS, but where leadership opportunities are limited or non-existent? 2026-09-01 13:43:54 From avanderpas_cityoflew to Everyone: What if you are represented at the executive level by someone who does not understand GIS and you are not able to get information from those meetings? I call it be information adjacent. 2026-09-01 13:44:06 From Andrea Bohn, GISP to Everyone: Frank Conkling is the owner of Panda Consulting (a GIS firm) and his latest blog was very inspiring, "The Stoic Path to Professional Development: Practicing “Arete” in Modern Work", thought you all might enjoy it also: https://www.pandaconsulting.com/logb/2026/8/30/the-stoic-path-to-professional-development-practicing-arete-in-modern-work 2026-09-01 13:44:45 From Ann to Everyone: awesome! Thank you! 2026-09-01 13:45:17 From Jenna Leveille to Everyone: Replying to "awesome! Thank you!": jleveille@sanborn.com 2026-09-01 13:47:11 From Shea Lemar (AZ) to Everyone: It is easy to find technical training for GIS. And I can always take project management courses if I want to be a better PM. Is there a respected line of training out there for those who want to learn to be better leaders? It would be even better if it were something that an agency would respect and therefore buy into. 2026-09-01 13:48:17 From Ann to Everyone: Replying to "awesome! Thank you!": Ann Fritz, afritz@nd.gov. I utilize NSGIC resources, have a log-in and using all the Accessibility resources now in my current position as Nondiscrimination Program Manager. 2026-09-01 13:48:46 From Brooke Serpa to Everyone: I really appreciate what you said about reframing failure. In your own experience, how have you learned to move past a failure without letting it linger or influence your confidence and future decision-making? 2026-09-01 13:49:01 From Ann to Everyone: Replying to "It is easy to find technical training for GIS. And...": Does your organization have a Mentoring Program? That may be a pathway... 2026-09-01 13:49:05 From Jenna Leveille to Everyone: Replying to "awesome! Thank you!": I will email you what we've been working on 2026-09-01 13:49:10 From Phillip Leveille to Everyone: I love this topic! The conversations will take place with or without you, choose to make your place at the table. 2026-09-01 13:49:14 From Amie (she/her) to Everyone: Thank you! 2026-09-01 13:49:51 From Trohn Enright-Randolph to Everyone: GIS is a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) that measures the overall value (money + time + happiness), while Return on Investment (ROI) only measures hard financial profit. GIS-CBA could help attract and retain qualified candidates while improving the workplace, initiating important discussions and strategies to address more equitable pay for similar duties and specialized expertise. 2026-09-01 13:50:07 From Natalie Runyan, NM OBAE (GIS & Data) to Everyone: difficult convo examples: your data are bad, thus your decisions are bad; your leaders are using AI instead of actual data to report on their organizational impact 2026-09-01 13:50:31 From Natalie Robbins to Everyone: Replying to "difficult convo examples: your data are bad, thus...": Heavy on the AI aspect here! 2026-09-01 13:51:00 From Eboni R. to Everyone: Replying to "It is easy to find technical training for GIS. And...": AGIC definitely does. It was helpful for me as a Mentee to find my footing in this GIS world. 2026-09-01 13:51:18 From Surbhi Bakshi to Everyone: Would ESRI have some ways to GIS needs/ benefits into something that is understood by executives? I think they have a leadership session at some point during the user conference. 2026-09-01 13:52:57 From Shannon White to Everyone: Replying to "It is easy to find technical training for GIS. And...": I actually think GPN has some leadership workshops specific to GIS professionals. I have heard good things but have not participated myself. 2026-09-01 13:53:31 From Megan Compton to Everyone: Replying to "What advice do you have for newer GIS professional...": Look for opportunities at external organizations related to or adjacent to your work. Councils, professional networks, etc. 2026-09-01 13:53:37 From Megan | Idaho Fish and Game to Everyone: Thank you, I know you open doors by being open to opening them! 2026-09-01 13:53:43 From John Streeb (DETCOG - TX) to Everyone: Replying to "It is easy to find technical training for GIS. And...": https://thegpn.org/page/GLA 2026-09-01 13:53:56 From Natalie Runyan, NM OBAE (GIS & Data) to Everyone: Replying to "What advice do you have for newer GIS professional...": organize your own work into a "plan" as a way to practice understanding and articulating the full cycle of value. On every task, write a "spec sheet" that includes why is this needed? how will I approach it? what opportunities will this create (what are value adds) 2026-09-01 13:56:33 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: I’m navigating a situation within my organization that has become a little complicated, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle it strategically and professionally. If you were in a situation where you felt that organizational dynamics were changing around you, what would you consider before deciding how to respond? 2026-09-01 13:57:36 From Karen Rogers - BLM to Everyone: I just listened to this podcast about the research behind charisma. It is fantastic and should give anyone lots of food for thought about how to be a more effective leader! 2026-09-01 13:57:37 From Phillip Leveille to Everyone: WD-40 had 39 failed formulas 2026-09-01 13:58:05 From Natalie Runyan, NM OBAE (GIS & Data) to Everyone: @Emily Ruetz I hope you copy all these chats adn post them, so we don't lose the resource links when the meeting ends 2026-09-01 14:00:25 From Brooke Serpa to Everyone: I have to leave for another call. Thank you again! 2026-09-01 14:00:27 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: for example manager changes 2026-09-01 14:00:43 From Ann to Everyone: I"m so sorry I have to leave. hoping I can jump back on in a little bit... 2026-09-01 14:00:48 From Elisabeth vanderLeeuw - Pima County, Altar Valley, UofA to Everyone: I have to leave for another meeting. Thank you - I really appreciated this talk! 2026-09-01 14:01:39 From Megan Compton to Everyone: I am sorry, I have to drop for a team meeting. Thank you so much Izabela! 2026-09-01 14:03:37 From Michael Arveseth to Everyone: I have to drop off. This was soooooo good. Cheers. Thank you. 2026-09-01 14:03:41 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: This is so great, thanks so much. 2026-09-01 14:04:07 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: perfect 2026-09-01 14:04:15 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: That makes sense 2026-09-01 14:04:31 From Nita Barve, CDFW-OSPR to Everyone: Thank you so much, have to drop off!! 2026-09-01 14:04:59 From Andrea Bohn, GISP to Everyone: Izabela - I have a VERY similar story from my previous position. They made the decision for me. But sounds like we have a next book together. 😁 2026-09-01 14:05:16 From Erin Fashoway, Montana GIS Coordinator to Everyone: No self-gaslighting! 2026-09-01 14:05:41 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: when is the next meeting? 2026-09-01 14:05:49 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: I look forward to taht 2026-09-01 14:06:45 From Trohn Enright-Randolph to Everyone: GIS saw significant advancements about a decade ago, and these developments have continued to accelerate over the past five years. Its implementation is increasingly becoming integral to organizations across various sectors. It’s important to highlight the value of GIS whenever people acknowledge the utility of the data or the tools, such as web applications, that it provides. 2026-09-01 14:06:45 From Emily Ruetz to Everyone: RSVP for the standup here! https://www.addevent.com/event/0fsr3zb5dk57 2026-09-01 14:06:49 From Monica Montoya. to Everyone: do you have a link to just share it? 2026-09-01 14:08:51 From Alice Hecht to Everyone: My work just changed my job title and description to recognize my GIS work. They also put me in a leadership role but left me with ALL my other responsibilities. They asked me for a vision and then thought my vision wasn't a vision. How do I develop this position with so little time and support? 2026-09-01 14:11:59 From John Streeb (DETCOG - TX) to Everyone: Do you have any advice on striking a balance between the need for setting firm quantitative/technical metrics & goals that provide the "proof" and the more fuzzy qualitative goals/metrics that "tell the story" 2026-09-01 14:12:17 From Karen Rogers - BLM to Everyone: I need to drop. Thank you again for the inspiration! 2026-09-01 14:12:20 From Shannon White to Everyone: Replying to "GIS saw significant advancements about a decade ag...": I think this also links to the issues around retirement of individuals who were those who had given leadership and now it's opening up but there hasn't been that "champion" in the gap time for so many organizations. 2026-09-01 14:14:34 From Marianne Cardwell (IN) to Everyone: One of the things I struggle with is confidence. I am also from Europe (Belgium) and think that part of this is a cultural difference as Americans seem to be very confident. I'm also often the only woman in the room. This doesn't usually bother me, but I think it's another reason for that difference in confidence. Have you struggled with that as well and if so, any recommendations? 2026-09-01 14:15:01 From Ann to Everyone: Replying to "My work just changed my job title and description ...": It's important to be realistic about what their expectations of you are, and you convey what you can realistically accomplish. 2026-09-01 14:20:32 From Trohn Enright-Randolph to Everyone: This is how I communicate GIS to other decision-makers: I transform data from a GIS database and give it significance. For example, a flood map is not merely a collection of lines, points, and polygons; it represents homes and communities, ultimately making a real impact. While GIS is a technology, the people behind it are the most important aspect. Therefore, GIS is as much about the people involved as it is about the technology itself. 2026-09-01 14:21:16 From John Streeb (DETCOG - TX) to Everyone: That helped, thanks 2026-09-01 14:24:10 From Melissa Alvarez to Everyone: Americans are really good at turning their ‘customer service’ persona on. :) 2026-09-01 14:24:57 From Megan | Idaho Fish and Game to Everyone: Replying to "One of the things I struggle with is confidence. I...": I am an introverted, ADHD diagnosed woman in GIS and I also struggle with being the only woman in the room in our organization. It often feels like my opinion is not as important than my male co-workers. The things I comminute as being important don't seem to be important to others. When people explain their opinions or thoughts they are listened to, but when I do it, I feel that I lose people's interest very quickly, as if I'm going on too long. It has been a struggle. 2026-09-01 14:26:25 From Shannon White to Everyone: Replying to "One of the things I struggle with is confidence. I...": The act of "risk taking" when speaking up and hoping to be heard I have seen so different among my male and female colleagues. 2026-09-01 14:30:12 From Tom Vought to Everyone: Thank you so much for this wonderful presentation. It's been an inspiration 2026-09-01 14:30:16 From Tiffany Kalaitzidis to Everyone: i really appreciate this discussion. could not have come at a better time 2026-09-01 14:30:19 From Megan | Idaho Fish and Game to Everyone: Thank you! 2026-09-01 14:30:21 From Trohn Enright-Randolph to Everyone: Thank you, all, good stuff 2026-09-01 14:30:23 From awitcher to Everyone: Thank you all. 2026-09-01 14:30:25 From melissa.lanclos to Everyone: This has been really great! Thank you so much for this! 2026-09-01 14:30:26 From Kate Hickey to Everyone: Thank you, Izabela!! 2026-09-01 14:30:27 From Abby Severns (she/her) to Everyone: Thank you! 2026-09-01 14:30:28 From Shannon White to Everyone: Thank you for a great presentation and discussion. 2026-09-01 14:30:32 From Heidi Martin to Everyone: Thank you! Perfect timing! 2026-09-01 14:30:35 From Megan | Idaho Fish and Game to Everyone: Discussion was very helpful! 2026-09-01 14:30:40 From Lan to Everyone: Thank you! 2026-09-01 14:30:44 From Agata Dryla-Gaca to Everyone: Thanks!