I have to confess, the word "workshop" used to send shivers down my spine. Just the thought of attending one made me anxious having to focus, create something, and share my ideas in front of a crowd. It felt so different from a training session, where you could just zone out and doodle while someone talked.
But by the end of every workshop, I’d always find myself feeling a delightful mix of gratitude, relief, and empowerment. Who knew tackling my fears could feel this good and co-creating something with other people so rewarding?
And just like that, a new era kicked off for me. I found myself not just attending, but actually suggesting and leading workshops whenever things got a bit fuzzy or when I noticed people drifting off. It turned into my secret weapon for keeping everyone engaged and inspired.
Workshops have a cool history that goes all the way back to the Middle Ages around the 12th century, with the establishment of craft guilds in Europe. This system of learning-by-doing within workshops became essential for passing down skills and maintaining trade standards - something all gamers should appreciate! How many blacksmith workshops did you attend while leveling up your character? And how many epic weapons or wings did you craft along the way? Let’s hear those stories!
Today, attending a workshop offers hands-on learning, boosts creativity, enhances collaboration and builds valuable skills. Getting direct feedback from the workshop facilitator and peers can truly be a career boost Plus, it’s a fantastic way to network and gain fresh perspectives—all while having fun!
For me, both as an attendee and a workshop facilitator, workshops have always been a source of inspiration. As a facilitator, I’ve learned tons about guiding people and rolling with the punches. My biggest takeaway? You can never know too much! It's awesome when attendees bring up ideas you hadn’t even considered—that's when you know you’ve nailed it. Mission accomplished!
If you're ready to dive into the twists and turns of product vision and strategy, get excited—two awesome workshops are coming your way this year at Prow:
- Radical product thinking workshop – translating a vision into reality, step-by-step – facilitated by Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter
- Product strategy essentials: From planning to action – facilitated by Alexei Ciobanu, Director of Product, Platform at PandaDoc.
So, what are you waiting for? Set all your fears aside and try it out, you might just get as addicted as I am. 😊
