In October 2024, Michelle Mills Porter stepped into the role of President of the Professional Speaking Association UK & Ireland sooner than planned, following the early departure of the previous President. What could have felt disruptive instead became something quite different. Michelle introduced a powerful theme which guided the year – Collaboration Evolution.
Collaboration Evolution
From the very beginning, Michelle was clear that this presidency wouldn’t be about individual success alone. It would be about how we work together. Drawing on Aristotle’s words,“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, Collaboration Evolution challenged us to rethink the way we operate as speakers and business owners. Speaking can be a lonely profession. We build our own brands, our own businesses, often in isolation.
Michelle invited us to ask a different question – What becomes possible when we stop going it alone?
Through a tour across the 13 regions, Collaboration Evolution encouraged members to share ideas more openly and collaborate in moments big and small.
The Elastic Band Approach to Change
Michelle brought to the regions the idea of what she called “the elastic band approach.”
Change, she reminded us, is rarely comfortable, especially when the benefits aren’t immediately obvious. That’s when she invited us to imagine our speaking business held in place by an elastic band. She encouraged us to stretch the band repeatedly, introducing collaborative change until the band can no longer return to its original shape, it’s reformed into a new shape, something stronger, that won’t spring back and return to its old ways, bringing even greater success.
Leadership Rooted in Lived Experience
Michelle began her Presidency Talks about how Collaboration Evolution was rooted in her own lived experience, particularly the lessons she learned in the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami. It is a deeply personal story, shared not for impact alone, but for insight. At it’s core, it was a simple message – the spirit of humanity lives in collaboration.
A Year That Brought People Together
By the time we reached the Speaking Business Summit in October, Collaboration Evolution felt complete. The speakers embodied the theme and the atmosphere reinforced it. Everywhere you turned, people were sharing ideas with new and old members alike. Members left reminded that together, we are stronger and that that the PSA is a place for everyone.
Thank you Michelle
Michelle’s presidency may have begun earlier than expected and she led through a time of transition along with the Board and Co Chairs of Nathan Littleton and Yvonne Emery.
Michelle, you reminded us that collaboration isn’t just good for business, it’s good for people.
On behalf of the PSA community, we want to say thank you Michelle. Your legacy of collaboration will continue on for many years to come.
