Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “personal challenge”
After 23 years teaching high school, I’m still not immune to disinterested and dissatisfied attendee’s expressions. As I begin a training for 15 company managers, Jerri’s expression says, “I don’t want to be here and I’m pissed that I am.” You’ve seen them, attending your meeting, speech or participating in your training: yawning, looking at their watch, checking text messages or slumped …
While moving at lightning speed, from one detail to the next to organize and stage TEDx Asheville 2022, I made a big mistake. If it was a detail on the website – easy fix. If I forgot to arrange a projector, a call would right that wrong. This mistake required I apologize. Even with that creepy-crawly feeling of shame and embarrassment in …
That was Eva’s first words when she introduced herself. Even with her terror, she was there to learn. Instead of her standing in front of the workshop participants, we set the chairs in a circle and I asked her questions based on her speech script. For Eva, this worked. At sessions #4, she’d gained the confidence to take her place …
Susie’s name was called. Finally, the opportunity she’d hoped for: to share her story and apply the speaking skills she learned the past two months was here! She performed on stage, under theater lights to an audience of 60 people. The video proved it. She rocked! Even came in second place! Honestly, she implemented everything we practiced: varied vocal inflection, …
“How did he come to that conclusion?” An email arrived from Drew who attended a meeting I had recently lead. He was frustrated. Exasperated even. The tone of his email told me….he had completely misunderstood my message. I didn’t take it personally – but I did think this…. …I must be absolutely clear in my communication! The audience arrives with perspectives, …
