Back in the saddle again or where are my tiara and wings?

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fairy godmotherPublic speaking gives a lot of people diarrhea. Or maybe the heeby jeebies. Not me. I have always enjoyed the limelight. It must be the drama queen in me. If I could work in a tiara, it would be perfect.

Good speakers are entertainers. That’s the difference between someone who gets up and reads a speech and someone who is excited about sharing information.

I am teaching a six-week public speaking program. It’s fun and provides instant gratification if you have the right participants. I feel like a fairy godmother without the awesome wings.

Note to self: See if you can find wings that match the tiara! Check out princess dresses with crinoline slips too! 

Had I know when I was growing up that I could teach someone other than prepubescent youngsters, I would have gone down that path earlier.

I wouldn’t have patience with children. If they aren’t interested, you are stuck with them. You can’t take them to the shelter and exchange for a puppy.

With adults, you can kick them out of the class. I never had to do that but you can do it nicely.

You pull them aside and say, “Its over. It’s not you, it’s me. You deserve someone so much better.” Hmmmm…..maybe that’s a dating breakup line. Obviously I am out of practice.

How about, “You are too advanced for this class. I suggest you try to get into a session with a more complex agenda that better suits your intellect.” (Does that sound like a nice line of bullshit or what? I should write a post on how to nicely tell someone they have their head up their butt.)

The group I am training is awesome. They are eager and excited. Each week they speak about something different. They always think that their topic isn’t interesting but we make it fun with great openings; logical, flowing content; and a great wrap up.

With speakers, the fun is in the delivery. You can make anything sound interesting if you put yourself into it. Punch it up. Be excited and animated. Let your hands speak with you. Use props. Let your passion show. It always works.

We had someone give a eulogy and it was wonderful. It wasn’t soppy or tearful but a great tribute to someone he knew.

Another one talked about testicular cancer and had us all emotional. Yet another talked about the great buys you can find at garage sales.

At the end of the sessions, I learn as much or more than the people speaking. I almost feel guilty billing the company. I said almost…I am not completely crazy!

Picture courtesy of halloweencostumes4u.com

37 thoughts on “Back in the saddle again or where are my tiara and wings?”

  1. Glad the public speaking is something you enjoy.Teaching is is a lovely job, but it takes a good teacher to make it a success. it sounds like your students really enjoy themselves.

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  3. I don’t like public speaking, but can somehow pull it together when I must! I do admire those who do it well. I’m sure your class is a real benefit to those who attend. You’re in charge! Go for the tiara. 🙂

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  4. Your class would bring out the ham in me. It sounds like it’s a ton of fun. With your energy and humor, your students will gain confidence and skills in presentations..

    In college, I took a course – technical writing – that required us to describe, step-by-step, how to take off a jacket or make a peanut butter sandwich. By the end of the course, we’d developed many fun topics to expand on. I even used it to develop a pitch to a local radio station to do movie reviews. The general manager said he loved it, but he only wanted to pay me in movie tickets. Boo!

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  5. This sounds like so much fun…like an open-mike with feedback. You’re right about the difference in reading a speech and expressing it with enthusiasm. You don’t find yourself looking at your watch. By the way, your snark is back…the line…’it’s over,’ told me in no uncertain terms SHE’S COME HOME. Missed her…was she on holiday 🙂

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  7. Kate, you’ve always been a good trainer…maybe not liking people that much is the key! Hummm…or maybe you really do like people, just not better than cats! Ah, a conundrum! Anyway, glad you’re having fun with that group…and, oh by the way, nice pic and article about Morgan in the newspaper today. As soon as I saw a one-eyed cat, I guessed it was yours! You rascal!

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    • What can I say? She’s a star. I was hoping that if one person would consider adopting a cat with a handicap, it was well worth it. Animals adjust pretty well to missing limbs and eyes.

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  9. I would definitely take a class from you on how to tell people nicely that they have their heads up there butts! I used to not be able to talk to large groups but after learning different skills at work, I am very comfortable with it.

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  11. I’ve done a lot of teaching and public speaking. I found that it is not only rewarding at the time, but the constant practice also gives you the ability to speak out in other situations when necessary. I can still see the look on the “Big” boss’ face and hear the silence that fell over the conference room when I stood up and asked him “Do you ‘really’ want to know what the problem is?”
    My co-workers wondered where I found the guts to confront the executives of the company with the true reasons for employee apathy and the slump in sales. My secret wasn’t guts. It was lots and lots of practice.

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  12. You must be a good teacher to have a gift of gab. I took this course, it was fun when I was younger. I prefer silence as I grow older and surprise people when I talk.

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    • As an individual I tend to be quiet but when I teach it’s almost as if I turn into someone else. Then I go home and appreciate the silence in the house.

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  13. I feel comfortable with public speaking, but I don’t miss it.

    I’d rather have a one on one discussion with a really interesting fairy godmother wearing a tiara and waving a wand than engage in group discussion.

    Sounds like you’re a perfect fit for this class. Enjoy.

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  14. Wow! I would love to take your class Kate! I used to be a good public speaker in high school – on the debating team even. But as an adult I developed stage fright. Mouth goes dry, hands shake – horrible to watch I’m sure. So I gave up pubic speaking even when I needed it at work. You are undoubtedly greatly appreciated by your students and I’m sure none have been thrown out.

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    • There are tips to overcome all those symptoms. When I attend classes I always watch the teacher. One time there was an attorney at the same class. He was getting credits to keep his license and felt he was above it all. He opened a newspaper and starting reading it. About a half hour into the class, the teacher gave us a “break,” walked over the to guy and asked if she could check his paper for something. Then she took it to her desk and didn’t give it back to him. Smooth!

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  15. So you’d love to hear what I’m thinking? I’m thinking you’re clever and cool. Love the picture. I agree that public speaking is an amazingly effective confidence builder, and intimately related to writing.

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  16. I am glad I had 2 years of speech and debate in high school. Having had my turn at holding the gavel for a term in most organizations to which I belonged and 33 years as a classroom teacher gave me a firm footing. I ran for office in ’83 and ’85 and got even more polished. I never had a chance but being able to face an audience with confidence got me an amazing 26% of the vote both times.

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  18. Gosh, this sounds such fun, the inter-action must be amazing…
    I gave a talk this week to a group of just under a hundred, and usually my knees would be knocking, my voice would be tight, and my stomach hollow… it was quite different this time… I hardly even prepared it, but I felt confident and relaxed, knowing if they asked me to speak they were already interested!’They all roared their heads off with laughter and we had great fun.
    I put the difference down to blogging which has given me such confidence – just finding that people are interested in what one writes or says!

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    • Sounds like you were great! Your writing is so good that I would expect your speaking to be awesome. I was in Toastmasters for many years before I started blogging and I swear that it helped not only my speaking but also my writing so I believe the reverse is true too.

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  19. They used to require all college students in state school here getting a Liberal Arts degree had to take public speaking. Actually although I dreaded it, it taught me a lot ( not the teacher – she was a dud – it was the getting up and commanding the room).
    You sound like someone who can excite people and get them to realize what they can do. Now that’s fun! (and you get paid – how cool is that?)
    Enjoyed this one a lot

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