Communication 101: Public Speaking

  There are different large group settings we find ourselves in where we "have the floor" and need to communicate a point or a set of points. It's our turn to speak. We have something to say and hopefully it comes out the way we planned. Maybe we don't have a plan. We need to get one quick. I have found myself in these situations many, many times. The more I do it the more comfortable I feel. How about you? Do you like to speak to a group where every eye is on you? Over time I have felt much more at ease. Practice makes perfect. There is something stimulating about delivering a message to a group of people. Last night was one of those times. You never know when they are going to happen. So, you have to be ready to communicate. All eyes are on you. Every word, every emotion, every facial expression are dissected. It's your time. You open your mouth. Everyone is listening. The floor is yours.

  I mentioned last night was one of those times for me. In my case I was speaking to a great group of boys as their baseball coach. Gosh, I love baseball. It brings me so much joy. I can see me being involved in it for as long as I am breathing. However, I digress. There were different times before, during and after the game I spoke to the entire group. After the game (an exhausting, heart stopping, mind blowing game) I gathered all of the kids around and the parents were there too. There were about 30 of us standing outside the third base dugout. I was getting ready to address the team. We were all so tired. This game took everything from us. Everyone was exhausted. I needed to say something and simple was the call I sensed. I composed myself but my emotions let me say about five words. I said, "I am proud to have coached you boys tonight." As I spoke those words my voice cracked and my eyes begin to tear up. I composed myself. There was more to say. Their tough coach was broken but as proud as could be. It was special and we all knew it.

  Have you ever had moments like I just described? Speaking to large groups sometimes brings the best out of our words. Maybe your emotions get the best of you like they did me. I am cool with it. People wear their heart on their sleeve. That's me. Often we say things profound. Other times we would like to rewind and start over. I think a lot of us are intimidated by larger group setting. Why is that? Well, public speaking is one of the biggest fears most people have. Even the most confident of all people find themselves nerve racked from time to time. I remember the first sermon I delivered. It was crazy. Everyone waiting for me to say something. People listening (hopefully more listening and less sleeping) to my points. I had two shots at it though. The first one went well and the second one too. I knew I could do it. Yes, we are talking about practice.

  I guess speaking to large groups is an art. More of us can do it but I guess the fear wins out sometimes. We all have a point to make. We have something profound to say. They say to pretend everyone you are speaking to is in their underwear. I don't know about you but that's a scary proposition. I know, I know it is meant to be lighthearted. I get it. I took a public speaking class in college and got an A-. Apparently this professor gives out few A's. I didn't get the A because of how well I spoke but rather because I gave 16 speeches throughout the semester. I just kept going up there and giving it the ol' college try. No pun intended.

   You were created to communicate. Whether you are speaking to your family, friends, a room full of strangers or a group of baseball players, you have the floor. Your time is now. People love a good communicator. One of my favorites was Ronald Reagan. Never mind political affiliations here. He was just very good at communicating a point. He didn't pull punches and told it like it was. I like his kind of communication. I want to emulate it. Who do you like to listen to? Who is someone you want to emulate? Study him or her and practice, practice, practice. One day you may have a group of baseball players to address. Maybe you will have a nation to address. Oh, to dream big! Don't stop talking to people. Defeat your fear of public speaking. Your voice is important. Remember, it's about the dash!