I went to a meeting with some very big wigs yesterday. Very Big Wigs. And I spoke. Out loud. Once. To clarify some background information that was important for the Very Big Wig to understand. And as I was speaking, I know my face went red because I could feel myself getting hotter and hotter, like my face was about to burst into flames.
Why?!?!
Why should I be so intimidated by a bunch of Fancy Titles? I am a technical expert in my field. That's why I was invited to this meeting to begin with. I should be able to confidently speak to my expertise, regardless of my audience.
Is it just my social anxiety? My general discomfort with public speaking? Do I genuinely lack confidence? Am I so easily intimidated by rank and title?
I don't really have time to explore in depth the inner workings of my brain right now. But I need to make a mental note to revisit this incident and figure out what's going on inside my noggin so I can get over whatever causes me to turn into a bumbling tomato whenever I open my mouth at an important meeting.
Hey Shana- you might want to try toastmasters...I hear it's pretty good at helping to speak in front of people. I have never attended, but, have heard many success stories.
ReplyDeleteLiana