Drawing from her motivational toolbox, national speaker Lauren Sweeney helped about 300 attendees chisel their way toward self-improvement Thursday at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Women’s Programming Series event.

“Our presence and our energy make a difference,” said Sweeney, a master-level coach and trainer at Rise Up For You, a global educational and motivational firm that focuses on enhancing company culture and personal development.

“We want to hear your ideas. We don’t want to hear after you’ve turned in your resignation letter that ‘nobody listened to my ideas.’ We need to give space for people to share, and at all levels, we need to raise our hand.”

The third and final 2026 event of the series, which officially began this year, featured Sweeney interacting with and posing questions to the audience at the historic Mayo Hotel.

She delved into the importance of influential communication and the power of speaking with presence, precision and purpose.

“Today, with the rise of AI, what do you think that AI cannot take away -- soft skills, human interaction, critical thinking skills, our ingenuity, our ability to think creatively? That is emotional intelligence, communication, transformational leadership and self-confidence.”

Sweeney told the crowd to combat the ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) that reside in everyone’s brain and to make sure to record accomplishments.

“The best time to self-promote is now,” she said. “...That way when we go to ask for the promotion, the raise or perhaps you’re a business owner and you go to seek a new client, you have a little track.”

Sweeney also advised attendees of a five-step routine to “prime your mind” before walking into a room that matters. Those methods include anchoring the body and visualizing the outcome.

“You don’t need permission to fly,” she said. “The wings are yours, and the sky belongs to no one.”

The Women’s Programming Series grew out of a desire to hold more free or affordable Chamber events that were member-exclusive.

After a test run late last year, the 2026 event series debuted in February, and the first installment of the 2027 series is already scheduled for Feb. 25.

“The greatest tragedy today is the waste of human potential, and we do not want that to be you,” Sweeney said. “If we can be just one percent more intentional with our communication, who knows what we will be able to do.

“Influence isn’t just what people hear or see. It’s what they feel from us. Then, when alignment happens, ‘Watch out, world. We’ll be on fire.’”