Do you enjoy speaking/presenting to a group?

[JenniferB]

I'm curious about the personalities of this forum, if many, some, or not so many are comfortable presenting to a crowd. Also, if you are not one who speaks well to an audience, how do you cope with that? Do you decline, avoid, or refuse to speak up front? How do you deal with co-op situations when you might be needed or required to present material to a group? Curious. I'll start. I'm not comfortable, and avoid it as much as possible.

[Whereneverever]

I am, as long as I have at least 1/2 an idea of what I want to talk about.

[Carol in Cal.]

Yes, but I like to be able to prepare. I don't like to be put on the spot.

[Karen in CO]

I typically get very nervous before I start, but once I'm going, I'm great.:D

[4kiddies]

Funny you should ask that today... I am NOT at all comfortable speaking in front of a group and haven't had to in many, many years but just today I was asked to give a 30 minute presentation to a local business group~yikes!

[Mama Geek]

I don't like it but am more comfortable than I used to be. I worked for 1 1/2 years as an engineering lead. I sat in on lots of project meetings and had to give status updates and things like that. I didn't do anything in the way of presentations but I got more used to talking in front of lots of people.

[Sevilla]

I feel very comfortable speaking in front of people. I'm a much better presenter than audience listener...I get so easily distracted and fiddle a lot when I have to sit and listen instead of be the one in charge of the instruction.

 

Doctors make the worst patients...teachers make the worst students ;).

[myfatherslily]

"Basically uncomfortable" doesn't even begin to describe my feelings:) "Paralyzed by fear at the mere thought" would probably be more accurate (I think my heart is beating faster just typing about it). I deal with such situations by avoiding everything in which such a thing might occur or downright refusing.

Sorry, I'm not help!!

[RegGuheert]

I would recommend public speaking training if you are uncomfortable doing it. There are lots of tips that can really help out!

 

DS13 will be speaking to the public at a local library next week and is working to prepare his speech. A friend from church said she teaches public speaking and offered to give him a few pointers. I have to say her advice was outstanding! She left some of the teaching materials behind for DS13 to refer to.

 

The best piece of advice that she gave? If you think of the speech you are giving as a gift to your audience your focus will appropriately be on meeting their needs and not so much on your own nervousness.

[DawnM]

It totally depends on who my audience is and what the topic is.

 

Getting up in front of my peers to teach them something terrifies me unless I know the topic so well that I don't need to really think about it.

 

Speaking to teens is fine too.

 

Dawn

[regentrude]

I love to speak in front of people. Even did so as a kid.

My job as a college instructor would be hard if I did not enjoy presenting.

[Jen in PA]

I really enjoy speaking to groups of almost any size as long as I know the topic ahead of time.

[Denise in Florida]

I voted comfortable. I really enjoy sharing information about things I love. I have done presentations on homeschooling, child development and getting kids active in service opportunities.

 

I would love to do this professionally but I don't have any idea where to start.

 

Any good advice? Been there done that experience to share?

[JenniferB]

The reality is that I'm not a public speaker. If there are materials that need to be presented, the audience would be better off hearing them from someone who presents well. At least that's what I'm telling myself. ;)

[Farrar]

I'm always glad I did oratorical contests as a kid. Anyone out there have their kids do those? I feel like it was really beneficial for me.

[NanceXToo]

It totally depends on who my audience is and what the topic is.

 

:iagree:

 

Could I talk to the members of my homeschool group, who I know, as a group about issues pertaining to our group or something? Sure. Would I want to get up in an auditorium full of strangers and talk about something in the form of a speech or lecture or some such? No, not particularly.

[MicheleinMN]

Horribly uncomfortable. :glare:

[Sputterduck]

I would rather pull my own toes off.

 

Yet, somehow, I agreed to teaching at a rural school here. In front of a class of 50. At least it's only on Thursdays. I literally shake with fear.

[Ria]

No problem at all. Maybe it's because I taught at several co-ops for so long, or because I deal with the public all day (pharmacy tech). Who knows.

[SeekingHim77]

I love speaking on topics I'm passionate about. I've spoken at ladies conferences, in church, and was the president of our homeschool group for a couple of years which meant I had to lead the meetings, graduation ceremonies, etc. I enjoy holding positions of leadership but get burned out after awhile.

[LucyStoner]

I am very comfortable. I earn part of my living by talking to people in groups and training people so I had better be comfortable, right? :001_smile:

[Denisemomof4]

I am NOT a shy person AT ALL. Still, I have a very hard time speaking in front of a crowd. Think severe, severe anxiety. I *panic* many times when adults are sitting in a circle and go around introducing themselves one by one. Often times I leave to go to the bathroom. HATE it.

 

It shocks everyone because I'm such an extrovert. I sometimes have that issue, too, over confrontation.

[mytwomonkeys]

to say i'm uncomfortable is an understatement. i abhor public speaking.

[JenniferB]

I feel like I've been this way since childhood. I wonder if it's an ingrained personality trait? Something I can be comfortable saying, "that's just me."

[Dandelion]

Very comfortable.

 

Presenting was a big part of my career while I was still working (often to company vice presidents/directors). Depending on the audience and my expertise/comfort level with the topic, I might have a few jitters when I first get in front of the group, but it quickly goes away as soon as I get started... :)

[hsmamainva]

Very comfortable.

 

I used to be intimidated by it, but then I became a LaLeche League Leader and spoke in front of a group twice a month. I did that for 15+ years.

 

Now I speak fairly often to various groups about homeschooling special needs children. (I have a speaking engagement coming up in a few weeks as a matter of fact).

 

I think practice definitely helps in overcoming speaking anxiety. :)

[mytwomonkeys]

how do you cope with that? Do you decline, avoid, or refuse to speak up front? How do you deal with co-op situations when you might be needed or required to present material to a group?

 

 

i have had to speak in front of a church congregation several times. i did not like it. in those specific situations, i knew that my testimony was more important than my fear, so i dealt with it and pushed through. it is waaaay out of my comfort zone though, and i felt very vulnerable. in co-op situations, i will only teach through 2nd grade, lol. i love kids, and i feel at ease when my audience is so tiny and cute:D

[extendedforecast]

Like any other situation involving lots of people, I'm extremely uncomfortable at the thought, but once in the situation, I am at ease. I am a basketcase before though.

[DesertDweller]

I am basically comfortable. I never used to be, but over the years I've had to do it and have found that it's not too bad. I like to be prepared. That definitely helps. I do still get a bit nervous in new situations or places. I am usually fine once I get going.

[Daisy]

I was on my university debate team. LOL. I have no problem speaking in public. ;)

[Sputterduck]

We have so many brave people here!

[elegantlion]

I'm surprisingly comfortable in front of an audience when I know the topic and have time to prepare. I haven't done it for a long while though.

[twoforjoy]

I always think I don't. I get really nervous beforehand. And then I remember that, wait, I LOVE public speaking. All of those people who have to at least pretend to listen to me!

[Harriet Vane]

Honestly, I love teaching and also enjoy managing.It doesn't always make sense, as I am more introverted by far. However, while group social situations are quite overwhelming for me, I find that I really enjoy teaching any size group, of any age, and I like managing teams or directing programs.

[Daisy]

Honestly, I love teaching and also enjoy managing.It doesn't always make sense, as I am more introverted by far. However, while group social situations are quite overwhelming for me, I find that I really enjoy teaching any size group, of any age, and I like managing teams or directing programs.

 

This is me. I don't like social events. I'm a huge introvert, but speaking in front of others doesn't seem the same to me.

[Dmmetler]

Love teaching kids, comfortable presenting to adults when I'm an expert. HATE making phone calls, especially for marketing reasons, like trying to get a few more kids in a class, but I even have an aversion to calling to make an appointment-I really don't like calling anyone who's not a close friend, and hate group social situations, too.

[alpidarkomama]

I do NOT like speaking in front of groups. Give me an instrument and I'll perform all night! :)

 

I always pass speaking invitations on to my husband who is *terrific* and very funny. :)

[Brooketopia]

I love speaking in front of a group. I'm horrible at personal conversations and small groups...I freeze up. But a big group means it's time to shine and be bubbly. I don't know why I'm that way.

[jengjohnson]

I really prefer not to, but will speak when needed. It's not something I volunteer for, or feel good about. I do try to set a good example for my kids though and speak when asked.

[LisaKinVA]

I do best (in public), when I am speaking with topic on which I have some wide breadth of knowledge... but I can wing it as well! I don't usually need a lot of preparation (as in rehearsing), unless there are slides and visuals I need to present. Otherwise... an outline is fine.

[cathmom]

I love to speak in front of people. Even did so as a kid.

My job as a college instructor would be hard if I did not enjoy presenting.

 

I do too. One of the things I always have a hard time with in groups is knowing when to say what I want to say, but when I have the floor as the speaker, there's no problem LOL! I talk, you listen.

[usetoschool]

I dislike and am not good at speaking in front of an audience, as in giving a prepared speech or formal talk, but I love teaching a class or speaking in front of an interactive group, especially when it is something I know about or am excited about and can just go for it.

[Mrs Mungo]

I'm pretty comfortable talking to large groups, especially if it is in regard to a subject that I know well.

[Heather in Neverland]

I've been doing it just about every day since 1994 so I guess I am used to it. I don't even think about it.

 

Bt don't ask me to sing in front of a group. I would faint.

[Parrothead]

"Basically uncomfortable" does not begin to cover my feelings about public speaking.

[naturalhomestead]

I do not feel comfortable at all. Yikes!!! I always fret for the day that someone will ask me though.

[Little Nyssa]

I like public speaking. I feel flattered to be asked and I'm glad to have something to say. I also love to hear the sound of my own voice. :001_smile: And if an honorarium is involved, that's great!

HOWEVER, in the 5-10 minutes before I get up to talk, I wonder why on earth I ever agreed to do this and I wish I were anywhere else in the WHOLE WORLD. :001_smile:

[Slartibartfast]

No!!!!!

[TKDmom]

I don't have a problem speaking in front of a group. Okay, I do get pretty nervous, but on another level, I enjoy speaking.

 

But please. Do not expect me to attend a social function and make small talk with people. My mind goes blank when I'm around people I don't know well. I can compensate for that when I'm in front of people by having my talk written out, but in social situations I have as much personality as a ball of lint.

[lionfamily1999]

If I can't prepare I refuse. If forced, it's three or four mumbled words :lol:

 

Co-op would not bother me. I have no problem speaking to/with children. It's crowds of adults... or even a small group where everyone is suddenly looking at me that makes me uncomfortable. Children I can deal with... adults make me :blush: