Public Speaking

Ah public speaking, I just checked, and it is still at the top of the list of things that people are afraid of! It ranks above heights and going to the dentist!! Although I was scared to death and possibly “unable” to speak in public, I am happy to say that by taking a job that would push me out of my comfort zone and face speaking in public head on, I was able to make great progress in the public speaking arena. 

The first time I was required to speak in front of a group of people, besides the 6th grade spelling bee when I spelled “adjective” without the “j,” was in 7th grade, it was Mrs. Klapheke’s English class. We had to memorize a story/book and recite it to the class. I was absolutely terrified to say the least. My friend Amy and I had a deal, she would sit in front of me and if I forgot the story, she would prompt me. As I stepped up to the front of the room, I was practically shaking, my mind was a complete and utter blank, I was sweating, embarrassed and could not get a single word of the story out of my mouth. I know that Amy gave me a few hints, but I am not sure I even completed the story. Did the teacher finally let me sit down and put me out of my misery?

They say that if you want to get out of your comfort zone and grow as a person you should face your fears head on. When I was about 30 years old, I was in a phase where I was facing my fears every chance I got. At the time I was employed by Clopay Garage Doors as a Sales Assistant. The Sales Representatives I supported were in the field working in Home Depot stores. They were building displays, setting new stores, working with associates and teaching 4-hour training classes all about garage door to the associates. The attendance for these classes varied from 12 or 13 people to up to a classroom full of 50 people. Four hours of talking to 50 people, that sounded like the most terrifying thing in the whole world. When the local Sales Representative position came open, I applied for and got the position. 

To learn the ropes of the position I travelled with a few reps in their territories. I learned how to clean and stock the displays, I attended a few of their training classes to learn the format. Soon the time came when I was on my own and teaching my own classes. Honestly, I do not remember how terrified I was for the first class I taught alone, I am sure I started with small groups. I also had the help of The Home Depot trainer I worked with (who has since passed.) He was amazing, he helped me navigate the waters, taught me how to deal with some of the personalities in the classes and he jumped in when things got into the weeds or out of control. 

Over time I developed my own style, my own stories and jokes. A key strategy that helped me relax prior to a class was to arrive early and chat with the associates as they came into the training room. This helped ease my anxiety more than I can even tell you. It was the magic piece. During the years I held this position I probably did 100 training classes, sometimes there were a few associates and from time to time there were up to 50. I became more and more comfortable and as long as I arrived early, I was pretty relaxed. 

Several years later I was promoted to a Territory Sales Manager role, in this role we had large annual sales meetings where each Sales Manager would present our annual sales plans/goals, in front of our co-workers, the entire management team, operations, sales, and the President of the company. No pressure. Each year I dreaded it more than anything in the whole wide world.

Then there was the one sales meeting that changed how I viewed public speaking forever. We were in a hotel ballroom in Indianapolis, it was day 2 and sales plan presentation day. I had survived my turn earlier in the morning and the lunch break was approaching. Seated next to me was the meeting’s facilitator, the one keeping things on track. As these meetings always do, things were running late, and we had stepped over into lunch time. The last person set to speak before lunch was the President of the company. When the President stepped up to start his speech, the facilitator called him over, letting him know that his speech would be pushed to after lunch. Best I remember the President approached the facilitator, I do not recollect the words that were spoken but the message was “I am too nervous, and I do not want to wait until after lunch. I want to go now.” With that the President stepped up and gave his presentation. 

This was amazing to me. The President of this company was a seasoned veteran who had been the president of a few other companies and was no stranger to speaking in front of large groups of people. Yet, here he was nervous to speak to the sales and marketing team that he was in charge of. 

Fast forward to 2024, you had better be able to put yourself on the gram or post a video if you have any aspirations of becoming an influencer, digital course creator or have any online presence. Facing my fears years ago made making my first Reel very scary but not the scariest thing I have ever done! I just got out there and did it!!

Are you scared of public speaking? 

Do you have another fear that you need to face and overcome!! Feel free to share below. 

Or maybe you would like to work one on one with me to move forward DM me!!