Entrepreneur and influencer Naomi Simson opined a piece on this very platform – on a topic close to my professional heart – “speaking”. The piece is entitled “Speaking: It’s a Gig I Enjoy” (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/speaking-its-gig-i-enjoy-naomi-simson). I also enjoy!
There was an instant resonance with my own career and personal interests. Having been an active educator and speaker since late teens (I started damn early, at 18, as a University Tutor), primary school actually (public speaking competitions), I was drawn to her article, and thought it valid to put my own spin on why I am still active, and increasingly so, in the speaking circuit.
I have spoken in groups of less than five right through to gatherings of over 1000 people at a time. The scariest is speaking in a room of less than ten people. But that too, becomes the most invigorating. Throughout my career I have tutored, lectured, presented to, and spoken at a huge range of people in a wider range of settings. More recently, online and well as off. And I love it. “Sharing is caring” – but it is also our responsibility to pass on ideas, knowledge, and start conversations with others. I remember over 25+ years ago, gunning into the room with the “fake it until you make it” mentality – something which served me well in my early career (along with my sheer determination to perform), and over time going from strength to strength and confidence to confidence. My topics have evolved – laterally and vertically over the years, but they still circle back to common themes – growth, change, development, communication, progress, education.
Today, I speak mostly on Business Continuity, Crisis Communications and Planning – area I was thrust into some years back because of client need. It led to a sustained interest, and opportunities to refine my craft. I also speak on Stakeholder Engagement, Cultural Alignment, Social Media Ethics & Policy and Change – all topics which through the years have been central to my career path and the positions I have tackled, embraced, and succeeded at. And enjoyed! For the challenge is as much my own, as it is others’.
I am not a Fortune 500 CEO or distinguished Professor (yet); but I have had an amazing opportunity to champion a number of SME’s over the last quarter century and show just how relevant they are to the world – be it in Education or the broader Services sector. The role of College Principal is no different to Consultancy CEO or Managing Director – same skills, different job title and office.
These experiences that I was entrusted with grew me as a professional, but more than that, they continue to grow me as a speaker. Tapping into these experiences give relatable and practical stories to share, to debate, to learn from, and to use to inform best practice opportunities from others. Experience is the best teacher.
Storytelling
Storytelling comes naturally. It involves sharing, motivating, encouraging, and ‘turning on someone else’s lightbulb’. Storytelling is a natural experience – from the days of caveman etching stories into cave walls, or grunting around the fire, to corporate leaders chanting business mantra in mass conferences with thousands of attendees and followers. For me, storytelling is helping others to embed my experience and understanding into their decision process. It is about extending horizons, challenging individual’s status quo, and being a devil’s advocate to facilitate personal (and professional growth). It is awe-inspiring to tell stories – and to see that “lightbulb moment” (or moments) in people as they can relate my thoughts to their current situation. Be it validation of their thinking, or growth opportunities, the purpose has been met – to influence someone else’s progress.
As a CEO / MD / Principal, I am constantly telling stories. Stories to shape behavior, stories to lift spirits, stories to encourage divergent or disruptive thinking, stories to challenge or solidify peoples current understanding or resolve on matters. This comes naturally, whether it be in a formal setting (classroom, training, conference, webinar) or informal (over lunch, usually with food, or by the 'water cooler').
The Power of Influence (thanks Naomi, for the heading)
Naomi is right, anyone can be an influencer these days. Just look online. Marketing practice guides us towards mass and micro influencers. But what about singular influencers – teachers, trainers, mentors, coaches, single influencers with a single (or very minute) audience. We all have that one person who made an impact, who changed our path. To all the educators out there, pat yourself on the back, because you have, and will continue to do so, influenced many lives at many different moments. For many, including yours truly, that is what it is about.
A Gig I Also Enjoy
Because great speakers, trainers, teachers do not grow on trees. Because when you have the gift to share with others, you have a social obligation to do so. And because seeing people putting their metaphorical jigsaw together in front of you is reward in itself. And because seeing others react to and process your ideas relevant to their context is an amazing gift.
As I continue to enjoy and grow on this journey of speaking, I do so knowing that from each engagement I undertake, I continue to learn more from the participants than I think they may learn from me. Each speaking opportunity is one to develop my own thoughts, as it is to help shape and expand others. Learning is lifelong; speaking is an active part of that process.
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