Regular readers will know about my fear of public speaking and 
how I am trying to overcome it with the help of Cambridge Speakers Club, a Toastmasters International organisation.
I used to freeze and dry up and feel so panic stricken, but I am gradually becoming more confident. In fact, so confident that I have accepted an invitation to chair a discussion entitled “Addressing Business Issues and Values” and the speakers will be the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, as well as Alan Barrell a Cambridge entrepreneur, and Mark Traherne CEO Senexis.
It’s very high profile stuff, am I brave or mad? It’s being held on the Cambridge Science Park, dubbed Silicon Fen, and 300 people from business and commerce have been invited.
It’s certainly my biggest public speaking challenge ever and I naturally want to do well and feel a great sense of achievement at having accomplished it. I’m testing these skills at my speakers club next week where I will be the Toastmaster, the most demanding role of the evening.
I was recommended to chair the panel by a local BBC journalist and the discussion is being organised by Chaplaincy to People at Work.
Any advice would be most welcome.
I think you are brave but not mad! I am sure you will do it magnificently. And do tell us all about it!
Congratulations Ellee!
Bon courage Ellee, I’m sure you will be brilliant!
Good for you, Ellee. Quite a triumphant thing for you to be doing. Wendy was terrified of public speaking at one time and started going to Toastmasters and now she, like you, feels confident and quite able to deal with public speaking situations. I was amazed when I once read that some people are more terrified of public speaking than they are of death.
Well done and best of luck.
As for chairing I haven’t the foggiest and need some tips as well as I’m just about to become chair of a local group.
I guess that it will all just flow and you need to concentrate on the direction of the conversation ensuring that it stays on topic – that’s all your job is. Tell ’em off like David Dimbleby if you have too.
Good posture and a smug Persian cat-like presence should ensure that you don’t get dissed. Don’t get drunk or start swearing – make sure you don’t get the squeaky seat either.
I’m sure it’s one of those things that will be less frightening in reality than it is in expectation.
Best luck Ellee, I’m sure you’ll be great 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement everyone, it is much appreciated.
Ian, I have heard that public speaking is the biggest fear people have. I am delighted to hear how Toastmasters helped your wife too.
Kevin, I do admire DD and shall watch him closely tonight, he is an excellent role model to aspire to. Oh, that I could be a natural at it like him.
Good luck, Ellee. I wish you were doing that nearer to Birmingham. I would love to see you do it.
Ellee – I think your observation that public speaking is a common fear is one of the keys to being successful. Peopel recognise how brave anyone else is to stand up in public and so are willing you to succeed. With all that positive support how can you go wrong?
All the very best, Ellee. I hope you not only overcome your fear but actually enjoy the expereince and the feedback too. A new you in the making.
Ellee,
Last night I spoke at London Corinthians. I’ve outlined the speech I gave at jeremyjacobs.com Hope you find the tips useful.
I’m certain you’ll do a great job chairing the meeting.
Ellee: You will be fine! I was a corporate trainer apart from media and what worked best was videotaping our clients and pointing out areas of strength and areas for improvement. By the end of 5 hours of class, everyone was exceptional! And you will be too! This is widely regarded as everyone’s fear, but it need not be!:)
Good luck Ellee, I’m sure you will do well. Your hard work and preparation will pay off.
Good for you, Ellee. I admire you for facing up to the fear.
If you can communicate as clearly and graciously as you do in writing, then all will be well. You will be great.
Incidentally, I’ve heard nothing but good things about Toastmasters.
August
best of luck ellee – hope it all goes well!
lol Elle,
I can’t ever imagine you being tongue tied or lost for words. I’m sure you’ll be fine.
[…] I wanted to be sure of the correct protocol when introducing the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, at a business discussion I am chairing among Cambridge entrepreneurs next week. […]
[…] You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Leave aReply […]
[…] I won’t say I was brilliant, but I managed to steer the meeting through without any hiccups. I think my previous experience in this role when the Archbishop of York spoke in Cambridge gave me added confidence. I now quite enjoy these challenges, getting out of comfort zone. […]