3 Things I’ve Learned From Speaking to Groups

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One of my most favorite activities in life is to speak to groups of people about topics I’m passionate about. (I know – weird.) I love speaking and interacting with groups, not because of the rush of excitement I feel walking out on stage or the high energy exuding from the hundreds of attendees. I love when I’m in this space because I have the opportunity to learn and grow through each of the attendees I meet. The authentic interactions I have with complete strangers during and after my talks often leaves me humbled and tender. I’ve listed below 3 areas where I’ve become more self-aware, continually learning from taking risk, walking into my fear, and speaking to/sharing myself with a wide variety of audiences. Here we go!

1. Never stop asking questions

These days, I’m surprised with the line of people waiting to ask follow-up questions after my talks. Individuals want to know how they can go deeper on the subject, what actions they can start today, and what are the best tools to get them there fast. I can so identify with these eager beavers/life-long learners/I want-to-be-the-best-I-can-be kind of people. I believe life is more fun…and colorful…when we go after life and are willing to fully express and share our own experiences and learn from each others stories, and then take action!

I am inspired by the passion of the groups I work with who desire to learn and grow and keep their brain functioning at a high level. Asking questions does just this. It helps you to fight boredom and keeps you in touch with the world. Your brain doesn’t go on autopilot, rather it challenges, pokes at, and strives to improve your world, which then affords you the chance to help improve others.

2. Helping others, ends up helping you

After I speak to a group of people I receive multiple emails about how I helped them think through a situation or address a relationship differently. I have files full of testimonials about how their communication has changed, and how the tools I shared are now helping them not only at work, but also at home in their personal life. They sincerely thank me for giving them the courage to step up and out, to take a risk, and to break an old pattern that isn’t working anymore. They are able to find their voice…”to sing my own song,” as one woman wrote, I love being used in this way.

The ironic thing about receiving these emails is that the writer has no idea that they are helping me grow. Every email or question I get challenges me to think differently, to sharpen and expand my toolkit. After my presentation I get to hear personal stories one-on-one and so often I am certain I am staring at myself in a mirror. Something they say or a realization they had, that they were willing to share with me, often becomes the answer to the very problem weighing on my own heart. I love that.

3. Community matters

If you are a speaker, then you’ll know what I’m talking about: when you walk into the room to speak, whether there are 5 or 500 people, there is a spark in that room that is clearly present. The energy from everyone fills the room and ignites the conversation, with another individual or in your heart.

While one-on-one you can have deep and honest conversations, in large groups with only one person speaking, there is also a magic that happens when you are open and mindful of the in-the-moment experience. There is an accountability and camaraderie that comes with being a part of a larger group, experiencing that specific tender or hilarious moment together, which again, if you’re mindful, you’re aware it will never happen again. We are making big changes together. I love those moments when I’m on stage and my eyes lock…with many of yours.

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