An article I read this morning got me thinking back to my time spent in the Dale Carnegie Course with Dale Carnegie Training of Southeast Michigan, specifically, the session about impromptu talks. I still remember it vividly to this day, and the lessons I learned still help me in my professional life.
But it was the session I most dreaded. Impromptu speaking? Forget about it. Actually, I think I’m feeling a little ill — I don’t think I’ll make it to class tonight. If there was one hurdle for me to jump over in the Dale Carnegie Course, this was it.
My Type A personality doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for anything unprepared or unplanned. So the fact that my instructor was going to announce a topic and then expect me to jump up and share a story in a three-second span was beyond terrifying.
And not only did I do it — and survive it — but I did it twice. My first topic was “I danced all night” and the second one I can’t recall, but I delivered them and nothing bad happened. I even earned a breakthrough award for my performance. (Me? An award for impromptu speeches?)
Whenever I’m called on to share things in my professional life now, I always think back to that day and remember the strength and courage I demonstrated, getting up in front of the room when all I wanted to do is run screaming down the hallway. That particular session has given me a renewed sense of calm when it comes to being asked to speak on the spot, and is probably my most important takeaway from the course. Whether it’s in a meeting or on the phone, I now understand that unplanned presentations — big and small — don’t have to be as intimidating as Mt. Everest.
And I think I’m definitely better for it. What has been your greatest takeaway from the Dale Carnegie Course?
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Michigan, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Michigan. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @MarkWillDCT.
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