Connection Matters: From Coaching Calls to Event Halls
- Dilek Süzal
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
There’s something almost magical about a stage before the lights come on; that quiet, that moment right before stories start to flow.
Last week at the Female Future Festival in Vienna, I felt exactly that energy, the kind that reminds you why we gather, why we speak, and why it still matters to be in the room!
As a speaker and a coach, I’ve seen powerful connection happen in pixels and in person and I’ve always believed that words can build bridges, whether they travel through microphones or across screens.
And yet, there’s something uniquely alive about standing among hundreds of people, hearing their laughter, sensing their nerves and feeling the rhythm of a shared energy.
Connection is all we need...
But how do we make it happen in our new world?
Problem: We Mistake Connection for Presence
In a world of instant messages and endless meetings, it’s easy to feel connected; but are we, really?
I often hear professionals say, “Networking isn’t really my thing Dilek.” or “I’ll skip this one.” And even when they do show up, the challenge remains: being physically there, yet mentally elsewhere.
Solution: Show Up Intentionally, Anywhere
Whether through a webcam or an event hall, presence means being awake to the moment, curious about the people in front of us, and being focused enough to listen deeply!
In my virtual coaching sessions, I see transformation happen in silence, that second before a client says, “That’s it!”
At in-person events, I see transformation happen in laughter, that moment when strangers realize they share the same struggle.
Both are equally real, equally human.
Learning from Tijen Onaran
One highlight of the Female Future Festival was Tijen Onaran’s keynote, “Präsenz, Power, Pitch: So überzeugst du in jeder Situation.” “Presence, Power, Pitch: How to convince in any situation.”
Tijen Onaran is an advocate for visibility, authenticity, and female empowerment, the founder of Global Digital Women and a voice encouraging others to claim space with grace.
Her talk reminded me that presence is a form of leadership. It’s the art of embodying your message before you even speak it.
After her session, I went to congratulate her. We exchanged a few heartfelt words, and she was so kind to take a photo together with me, a simple yet powerful moment that captured everything she spoke about: being visible, being real, being there!
That encounter reaffirmed what I believe in deeply: When we are truly present, wherever we are, we open ourselves to new experiences, inspirations, and possibilities.
3 Creative Ways to Build Meaningful Connections Anywhere
🔹 #1 - Be the Architect of Your Network
Design your connections with purpose. After an online session or live event, follow up with gratitude or a shared idea, foundations grow through small, steady layers.
🔹 #2 - Practice Presence, Not Performance
Show curiosity instead of perfection. Ask one genuine question at every meeting or event, it opens more doors than a flawless pitch ever will!
🔹 #3 - Blend Your Worlds
Let the online inspire the offline, and vice versa. Share what you learn across spaces, hybrid settings are our new ways to connect and collaborate.
The Female Future Festival reminded me why I love being part of spaces, virtual or in-person, that amplify human energy and shared purpose. It’s where I feel most alive: helping people rediscover their courage to connect, express, and grow.
So here's my gentle challenge to you: Show up, wherever you are. Attend, connect, speak, and listen. Because the future belongs to those who dare to be present.
And if you’re curating events or digital experiences that bring people together around growth and inspiration, I’d love to connect and co-create meaningful conversations that spark real change.
Warmly,
Dilek
Official Collaboration Partners:
★ Lead Coach at the global coaching platform BetterUp based in USA.
★ Executive Coach and Trainer at SparkUs based in Turkey and Netherlands.
★ Impact Partner for coaching, training & facilitation projects at leadership experts Think Beyond Group based in Austria.
★ Leadership Coach at Percoms AG, based in Switzerland.
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