Every time I spoke to my mentor about my talks, he would always remind me to have fun. Many times, I wonder what fun is he referring to. I am talking in front of who’s who of Infosys leaders. How can I think of having fun? I wondered if there could be a pill that can elucidate this formula of fun, while public speaking.
And on the days leading to 21st Oct, I think I stumbled upon it. Allow me to indulge myself a little bit in telling you how I discovered to have fun.
While preparation may seem almost elementary there are many aspects one needs to consider while preparing for a talk. The most important intention of each speech is to stir the mind, change a perspective, alter a prejudice, or even make someone think. This is more important to my topic which is related to the “limitless possibilities” of disabled individuals. After working on how I can bring my topic close to the receiving audience; my second step was to improve from my past mistakes.
Harsha Bhogle said in one of his interviews, that mistakes are like potholes. Once you have gone through it, your brain makes a note of it and avoids it next time around. So my brain planned things to avoid certain painful potholes. Sir’s candid feedback, coupled with a plan to avoid the potholes, I was ready.
While public speaking, I have observed that the right energy is critical. Just like in cricket, after begging to open the innings, you wouldn’t want to be scared of the bouncer in the first over. It is critical to remind yourself to keep that energy you had practiced, especially when your previous speaker is taking a long time to wrap up. The wait can be an energy killer. You wait not knowing when they will announce your name.
Eventually, when I was live with video and audio on, I took a break of a few seconds. Slowly took two breaths in and out. I allowed myself to be surrounded by that awkward silence. Then I began with a line that I had not thought of or practiced. I said, would you like to hear a story?
With that line, I guess the audience joined my journey for the next 25 minutes. How I am so sure? when we opened the line for audience interaction, the first comment from a senior leader was, “Not only your journey is inspiring but also you are a great orator”. The Webex chat window was flooded with kind words. There were questions and answers about disability and how to circumvent your own limitations to achieve limitless potential. While you are prepared for the topic you are delivering, audience interaction really tests you. I found while answering the question from the audience, I was able to effectively convey my message. Immediately I realized, that was only because of a book I had picked up recently. As part of the 1% improvement concept of my daily life, I have made a conscious effort to read books. Reading books has brought clarity of thoughts.
There, that’s it. While delivering the talk to approximately 60 senior leaders from Infysos one of the service lines, I stumbled upon how to have fun.
Fun is to me, made from preparation, learning from mistakes, and keeping energy, and when you have honest, heartful interaction with the audience, you know the message was accepted.
When I was off the air, I called up my mentor Sujith Kumar. He was jumping from one client call to another but I didn’t care. I told him, “Sir if I could hug you today, I would have; because I had fun today.”
I surely have made a mistake in this talk too. While trying to avoid known potholes, I got introduced to new ones. I didn’t beat myself about it, though. I just added them to the list for the next time.
I know I haven’t mastered all the pieces to create my masterpiece yet but boy, I surely have found the secret ingredient – the fun.