Have a question that has been nagging you for a while now but you are too embarrassed to ask aloud? Worry not, email us your question and Susie shall answer!
This week, Susie was asked, ‘How can I be a good public speaker as an introvert?’
So what unites Sheldon (who can’t stop pontificating at every given opportunity) and Dwight (who managed to maintain the honour of being one of the top salespersons’ in Dunder Mifflin)? Two people as different as night and day. One is outdoorsy, handy and sporty, while the other puts on his VR (virtual reality) gear when he senses he needs to be out and about in nature more often (or ever). It is their fear of public speaking! The debilitating fear of walking onto the stage and delivering an acceptance speech compelled Sheldon to almost refuse an award and impeded Dwight from thoroughly enjoying his success. All this is to say, fear of public speaking is very common, even for people who might appear as extroverts or talkative! So take heart, you are not alone!
While Alexis Rose is the last person either Sheldon or Dwight will approach for advice ( now here is an idea for a show I would pay to watch - Dwight, Sheldon and Alexis forced to work on a project together! Are you listening - CBS, NBC and CBC?). Her advice is gold. Her advice is solid. Her advice is solid gold. Here is what she has to say :
And I agree with Alexis. 100%. You are the one putting the most amount of pressure on yourself! Humans (for good or bad) are very self-centred, while you are there worrying about your presentation (and being all sweaty and nervous), others are worrying about picking up their children, mentally checking off items on their to-do list, reliving their summer, simply thinking about what would they be cooking for their next meal and their own presentations! Phew! Take a minute, for that to sink in and repeat after me - NOT EVERYONE IS THINKING OF ME.
So if you are able to pull them out of their egotistical haze, you are doing good! See that is where the bar is!
Now, Introversion is a trait. One of the many aspects of your personality. Repeating to emphasise : One of the many. You are more than your introversion. Just as you have toenails but you are not a toenail! Do not let the label of being an introvert define you as a speaker. You are allowed to be more than one thing.
And you know what, Introverts actually make very good public speakers!
They are :
Better prepared
More focused
& they leave their ego at home!
So if you are an introvert you have got more strength as a public speaker than you imagine yourself to have! Go on then! Don’t let this label stop you from grabbing that mic and making that presentation. We are all rooting for you!
P.S. Dwight and Sheldon do, infact, have other things in common : their knowledge of german, stubbornness, humble upbringing, superiority complex and enthusiasm to dress up for halloween.
P.P.S. Maybe we all can take a leaf out of Alexis’s book and learn to not take ourselves too seriously! Maybe we all need to be a little bit Alexis.